Safety Training Resources
498 South Fifth Street, #313
Saint Charles, Missouri 63301
Phone: (314) 808-3502
info@safetytrainingresources.com

RESPIRABLE DUST & NOISE REDUCTION
Control for Miners and Mine Operators

EFFECTIVE JANUARY, 2011

Mine Operators will be held accountable for implementing a Respirable Dust Control Plan by January 1, 2011.  This plan must include monitoring exposure (sampling) a minimum of two miners bi-annually. (30 CFR 56.5002)

Mine Operators will be held accountable for implementing a Noise Reduction Control Plan by January 1, 2011.  This plan must include monitoring exposure (sampling) a minimum of two miners bi-annually.
(30 CFR 62.110)

Mine Operator Responsibilities:

• Use environmental controls that maintain dust/noise levels at or below permitted levels during every shift
• Use and properly maintain all dust/noise controls specified by MSHA on every shift
• Perform required on-shift examinations to assure that required dust/noise controls are in place and working properly
• Maintain an adequate supply and make available to miners NIOSH-approves respirators/noise reduction devices when sampling results indicate the presence of excessive dust/noise levels in the work environment
• Report to MSHA any changes in operational status that affect dust/noise sampling within 3 days after the status change has occurred

Conduct respirable dust and noise reduction monitoring under typical operating conditions by:

• Maintaining sampling equipment as approved
• Strictly follow the regulatory requirements for proper collection of dust/noise samples
• Sampling bi-annually and submitting the required number of dust/noise samples (additional monitoring may be required if dust/noise levels are above acceptable levels)
• Submitting valid samples that reflect typical dust/noise conditions under normal working activities
• Not altering, opening, or tampering with dust/noise samples
• Posting sample results on the mine bulletin board for at least 31 days

Train miners, at least annually, on:

• The health hazards of respirable dust and noise
• The purpose and importance of effective dust/noise sampling and dust/noise controls
• The mandatory health standards that apply to the particular mining operation
• The health provisions of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act
• The Mining operation’s Dust/Noise Plan

SAFETY TRAINING RESOURCES has the equipment and training to assist in planning and implementing your program. To learn more about this mandatory program and how SAFETY TRAINING RESOURCES can help “Plan, Prevent, and Protect” your miners, call Jeff Viehmann at 314.808.3502.

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