Mines and quarries are places where workers can potentially find themselves exposed to harmful levels of respirable dust. Long-term exposure to high respirable dust concentrations generated during mining and quarrying activities can cause mine dust lung diseases (MDLD). That’s why the management of respirable dust in the mining industry is crucial. Mine dust lung disease […]
Posts by Ben Ready
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The Danger Of Long Term Dust Exposure In Mines and Quarries
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What Is Silica Dust, And Why Is it So Deadly?
There may be hazards where you work that can expose you to occupational illness. One of those is silica dust, which is harmful when inhaled into your lungs. But what exactly is silica dust? Crystalline silica is naturally found in stone, rock, sand, gravel and clay, and products such as bricks, tiles, concrete, artificial stone […]
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What Are The Main Symptoms Of Silicosis And How Is It Diagnosed?
Silicosis is a long-term lung disease caused by inhaling unsafe levels of silica dust. People who work with certain materials may inhale very fine dust that contains silica. Once inside the lungs, the dust particles can scar the lungs. This scarring is known as silicosis. There are three common types of silicosis. All affect you […]
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Why Size Matters When It Comes To Dust
When it comes to dust, size matters. Crystalline silica (silica) is found in sand, stone, concrete and mortar. It is also used to make various products, including composite stone used to make kitchen and bathroom benchtops, bricks, tiles and some plastics. When workers cut, crush, drill, polish, saw or grind products that contain silica, dust […]
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What Is The Workplace Exposure Standard For Silica Dust?
In 2019, Safe Work Australia announced the reduction of workplace exposure standards (WES) for respirable crystalline silica (RCS). The workplace exposure standard reduced from its time-weighted average of 0.1 mg/m3 to the significantly lower 0.05 mg/m3. Exposure to the hazardous substance can cause lung disease, silicosis, which saw a surge in diagnoses in the years leading […]
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NeXtrack Develops Australian-First Technology Integrating SWMS with Digital Safety Platform
A Gold Coast-based start-up has unveiled new Australian-first technology which would improve construction worker safety and help protect building subcontractors from incurring fines. The neXtrack digital safety platform is able to monitor hazards on construction sites like dust, noise, heat, fumes and exhaust. It can generate data on hazard levels to demonstrate controls set out in […]
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Control The Risks Of Working In Heat
Heat can be a hazard in many different workplaces, particularly in Australia’s construction industry. The summer months of December, January and February can pose the greatest risk to construction workers who work outdoors in hot conditions. Heat stress is the big risk in these conditions, so management of exposure is. Heat stress can cause: Fainting […]