Evaluation of Instruments for Dust Monitoring in United Kingdom Coal Mines

摘要

The United Kingdom Respirable Dust Regulations for underground coal mines are currently under review; new regulations that are under development will introduce new dust measurement methods and monitoring strategies.Research was undertaken to evaluate instruments for the monitoring of dust and quartz in United Kingdom coal mines and to determine current levels of personal dust exposure in the industry. The aim of the research was to identify instruments capable of being deployed more flexibly in a range of mine workings. The CIP10 respirable dust sampler, developed by CHERCHAR, was identified as a suitable instrument for both personal and fixed-point measurements of respirable dust and quartz. In fixed-point measurements the CIP10 results were highly correlated with co-located results obtained with the MRE 113a horizontal elutriator-the instrument stipulated in the current United Kingdom regulations. As the CIP10 is small, light and has a long battery life, it can be used for full-shift personal dust monitoring in both large and small mines.