Workplace Health and Safety Hazards Associated with Quarries
What is Quarry Mining and What Type of Minerals are Extracted from Quarries?
A quarry is a type of open-pit mine from which various types of materials are mined. Quarries are typically used for extracting building materials such as limestone, sandstone, and granite, as well as industrial minerals such as gypsum, potash, and salt.
The specific types of materials mined from quarries depend on the geology and mineralogy of the region. For example, some quarries may primarily extract limestone, which is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of calcium carbonate. Other common materials include sandstone, granite, sand, coal, common clays and more. In addition to these materials, other types of rocks, minerals and materials may be extracted from quarries.
Regulations and Controls for Managing Hazards in Quarry Mining
Quarrying, like any industrial setting, presents numerous safety hazards to workers that are regulated by Safe Work Australia and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) in Australia. Among the major concerns are dust and noise, which must be monitored to safeguard not only workers at the quarry, but also the environment and the local community, including wildlife. Prolonged exposure can cause severe and irreversible consequences, making it crucial to minimise exposure levels, even below regulatory standards. The following outlines the primary risks associated with quarries.
Dust
The process of blasting, crushing, and transporting rocks and minerals can release a significant amount of dust into the air including particulate matter and silica dust, causing it to become airborne and posing a major hazard to workers who are not equipped with the correct personal protective equipment (PPE). Short-term exposure to high concentrations of dust can be an issue, however the long-term health effects of repeated exposure at low concentrations can be far more dire, developing subtly over months or even years. With a wide variety of respiratory diseases such as silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer being known consequences of extended exposure, businesses cannot afford to be lax in measures taken.
Some common controls include:
Wetting dust prone areas
Keeping control rooms and vehicle cabins enclosed
Using dry dust extraction systems that draw dust away from workers
Keeping workers away from areas where dust is generated
Using PPE, including fit tested respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
Noise pollution is another common hazard in quarries. Heavy machinery used in the quarrying process, such as crushers, conveyors, and drilling rigs, can generate high levels of noise that can be harmful to human health. Workers who are regularly exposed to high levels of noise can suffer from hearing loss, tinnitus, and other hearing-related conditions. In addition to hearing loss, noise can also cause fatigue, stress, and reduced concentration, which can increase the risk of accidents and injuries. Noise also poses a risk and nuisance to the surrounding environment, including wildlife and nearby communities.
To prevent noise-related health problems and accidents, quarry operators should take appropriate measures to monitor and minimise noise exposure and protect their workers.
Some strategies for controlling noise hazards in quarries include:
Wearing hearing protection
Using noise barriers and enclosures
Adjusting work schedules to minimise time workers spend in noisy areas
Maintaining equipment to reduce vibrations and keep equipment operating efficiently
Regular noise monitoring for quarries is required for businesses to meet the acoustic requirements of their operating licence.
The Mining and Quarrying Guide provided by the EPA outlines key information in regards to managing the hazards associated with these sites.
Gas
Gas hazards can be a significant risk in quarries, particularly where mining operations take place in underground areas. The types of gases present in a quarry can vary depending on the geological formations in the area, the type of equipment used, and the activities being performed. Some of the most common gases encountered in quarrying includes carbon monoxide, methane, hydrogen sulphide and volatile organic compounds. These can cause issues ranging from nausea to respiratory problems, asphyxiation and even death. Ventilation is important to prevent the build-up of high concentrations of toxic and hazardous gases, and RPE can also be used to reduce exposure. Gases are regulated according to the specific chemical under WES as airborne contaminants.
Conducting Gas, Noise and Dust Monitoring in Quarries
Monitoring is an important process in quarries to measure and control the amount of dust, gas and noise generated during the extraction, processing, and transportation of materials. Personal monitors are effective for measuring the exposure levels experienced by an individual worker, whereas monitoring stations can be installed in strategic locations to continuously monitor hazards. Although many instruments will specifically monitor for one hazard such as a dust monitor, some can also cover multiple hazards in one unit.
Dust monitoring typically involves measuring the concentration of dust in the air using specialised equipment such as continuous dust monitoring stations like the AirMetER-DX Optical Particle Counter or personal dust monitors. Given the significance of silica in quarries, personal silica monitors like the Nanozen DustCount 9000 Personal Dust Monitor are also valuable instruments for determining silica exposure levels. These instruments use filters or optical sensors to collect and measure dust particles in the air. The data collected from these measurements can then be used to identify areas where dust levels are high, and to evaluate the effectiveness of dust control measures. This information can help quarry operators develop strategies to minimise dust exposure and ensure compliance with local and national environmental regulations.
Noise monitoring is conducted by measuring noise in decibels (dB) using specialised equipment that will generally fall into two categories; personal noise monitors and environmental noise monitors. Monitoring individual worker exposure to noise is typically done using a dosimeter such as the SKC NoiseChek Noise Dosimeter which can be worn by the worker. This information can be used to assess individual workers' exposure to noise over time and identify workers who may be at risk of hearing loss. Area noise monitoring involves measuring the noise levels in different areas of the quarry, including areas where heavy equipment is used, and during blasting or crushing and screening activities.
Regular gas monitoring is an important part of managing gas hazards in quarries. Portable gas detectors such as the Ventis Pro5 Multi Gas Detector can be worn by workers as they move around the quarry. Some gas detectors can also be connected to control systems that can automatically activate ventilation systems or other safety equipment when gas levels reach dangerous levels.
While personal monitoring can be extremely important for monitoring worker health, site managers will often require continuous monitoring to comply with regulations. Monitoring stations such as the AirMetER-AX Air Quality Monitoring Station are capable of monitoring dust, noise and gas in a single unit making them a valuable asset that fulfils several needs simultaneously. Ideal for perimeter monitoring, most monitoring stations like the AirMetER-AX provide quarry operators with access to continuous real-time monitoring logs via an online data portal like LiveSense, which can streamline data management and act as a powerful asset that ensures safe exposure levels are maintained.
