Whether you’re quarrying limestone, granite, or other hard rock, you’re going to generate a lot of dust. Consequently, dust suppression for quarries needs to be considered from Day One of the project design.
In this article, we offer a step-by-step guide to keeping your quarry site safe.
Identify Your Hazard Zones
Every quarry is going to be unique. The type of rock, the location of the haul roads, and even the weather will be influencing factors. For instance, sandstone is always going to create a large volume of dust. This is a major issue because it is primarily composed of silicates. Silicates can and will lead to silicosis, a debilitating and often fatal lung condition. High-risk sites, such as those with sandstone, will necessitate different solutions than non-silicate sites like limestone. When considering hazard zones, the four main ones are:
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When using crushers or screens
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During the loading or unloading of materials
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On haul roads and access points
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Around storage piles
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Consider Your Environment
It is not only on-site hazard areas that need to be considered. You have a legal duty of care to your workers, who, as a last resort, can be supplied with face masks and similar protective equipment. However, you also have a legal duty of care to the area around your quarry. This is set out in the Environmental Protection Act 2012 (EPA), and Local Authorities often have their own additional rules. It is very common for residents to sue quarries for dust pollution.
Get It Right From The Start
The most important advice that we can offer is that dust management needs to be planned from the start. This can save you time, energy, and money. For instance, water and power supplies can be planned to cater for suppression systems. Pipe ducts can be incorporated into civil works packages. Control systems can be designed to cater for automated suppression systems Proactive strategies can also often prevent expensive problems and ensure sites are compliant and meeting best practice from day one.
Considering Dust Suppression For Quarries?
At Best Chem, we work closely with quarries to ensure that the site has the right dust suppression systems. Every site is different, so please [contact us today] for personalised advice.
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