Innovation in Personal dust exposure prevention

Transcription

1 Innovation in Personal dust exposure prevention 30 March 2017 Presented by: Niel Ferguson

2 Contents: Introduction Back round Product selection Test results Challenges Conclusion Acknowledgements Maintaining momentum 2

3 Introduction Sasol Mining slogan: Leaders in safe production and cost through inspired people From this slogan, there is two key focus areas: Safety Healthy and safe coal face People Culture of caring for myself and for others Maintaining momentum 3

4 Back round What can be done to assist Syferfontein Colliery to achieve this goals? The Mining industry came a very long way in partnership with manufacturers to develop new and innovative ways to improve the mining rate and achieving the required production rates safely The increase in productivity also means an increase in coal dust generated, although dust suppressions exist, the risk of persons being exposed to this dust is still present This called for new and improved ways to ensure that the work force remains protected V.S. Maintaining momentum 4

5 Option 1 3M Jupiter system Constraints: Position of the filter system Air hose not being visible to person wearing the unit when operating in a cab of equipment Not compatible with underground lamps Plastic cover that makes the unit I.S. can easily be removed Maintaining momentum 5

6 Option 2 3M AS 600 Head top Airstream helmet Pre filter Main filter Maintaining momentum 6

7 Option 2 (continued) 3M AS 600 Head top Airstream helmet Pre filter High efficiency Main filter Poly propylene Fan Flow rate : 160 liters per minute Maintaining momentum 7

8 Option 2 (continued) 3M AS 600 Head top Airstream helmet Pre filtered air flows through the high efficiency filter Contaminated air flows through the pre filter Air inlet (contaminated air) Filtered air is blown out in front and around the face area inside the face seal and pushed out through the holes on the bottom of the face seal Constraints: Separate battery and cable No cap lamp cable clip Additional battery to charge I.S. Unit was fitted with a cap lamp attachment Maintaining momentum 8

9 Option 2 test results 3M AS 600 Head top Airstream helmet Test conditions Coal dust reading outside atmosphere (mg/m³) Coal dust readings inside the helmet (mg/m³) % Filtration achieved Normal production ABM 30 left hand roof bolter operator Test aborted after approximately 3 hours LHD operator loading duff in a primary intake airway, The area was not watered down The operator was positioned upstream from the duff LHD sweeping in an return airway Person wearing the helmet was positioned down stream of the LHD Maintaining momentum 9

10 Option 2 test results (continued) Main filter after a full shift underground New main filter Used main filter (exposed to mg/m³) Filter exchange rate Conditions Pre filter Main filter Low to moderate dust loads Shake dust off after every shift Change once a week Change after 3 shifts High dust loads Change daily Change daily Maintaining momentum 10

11 Option 3 (Improved unit) 3M AH6 TM Airstream helmet Changes made: Power source was changed from an external battery to draw power from the cap lamp battery Two cable clips was added to the helmet The inside cover was improved to concentrate the airflow more towards the visor of the helmet The adjustable cap lamp attachment was improved A side clip was added to allow the cap lamp attachment to be removed when visor is lifted up Maintaining momentum 11

12 Option 3 test results 3M AH6 TM Airstream helmet Test conditions Coal dust reading outside atmosphere (mg/m³) Coal dust readings inside the helmet (mg/m³) % Filtration achieved The helmet was worn while standing downstream from a CM while cutting coal Standing ± 2m from the Shuttle car when the Continuous Miner tipped coal onto the Shuttle car The helmet fan volume reduced due to loss in power from the battery within just over 3 hours into the test Helmet was worn while ripping off dust covered ventilation brattices in the return airways and sweeping dust off an old belt drive structure This was done for testing purposes Maintaining momentum 12

13 Challenges During the test period, the following noted: Action Challenge Solution Remarks Running the helmet from the current cap lamp in use The battery capacity is not sufficient to effectively power the lamp, PDS and helmet fan for more than 3 hours The visor starts to fog up after 2 hours into the test Strata was contacted to assist with the problem The 3 cell battery was changed to a 5 cell battery The new battery when fully charged is capable of powering the lamp and Airstream helmet for more than 12 hours The fan inlet was checked every two hours to ensure that the system is still effective Installing roof bolts using wet drilling The combination of dust and water splashed onto the visor affects visibility Disposable visor covers (peel of transparent film strips) This strips assists with water run off When the strip is dirty, it can be removed and a new strip can be fitted Maintaining momentum 13

14 Advantages The sampling results proves that the Airstream AH6 helmet is an effective means of protecting the user from an over exposure to dust The visor provides a wider visibility range as opposed to the normal safety goggles The combination of the visor and temple seals allows a person to still wear prescription spectacles if required Most of the critical components is replaceable, this allows for quick and easy maintenance Despite the increase in size and weight of the helmet, it is comfortable to wear and the scrubbed airflow blown into the visor cools down the contact points between the face seal and skin The cool air prevents fogging in the visor The adjustable head brace and expandable strip in the face seal allows a proper seal for any face shape Maintaining momentum 14

15 Conclusion There is a number of systems available in the industry to effectively suppress the dust generated during the coal mining process, even with all this systems, the risk of an over exposure to coal dust still exists There is very often work performed in areas where dust suppression is not possible or practical, for this reason, additional means of protection is required Based on the information that was shared in this presentation, I can confidently say that the 3M AH6 Airstream Helmet can effectively provide the required protection and drastically reduces the risk of over exposure and is therefore highly recommended Maintaining momentum 15

16 Acknowledgements I would like to extend my gratitude as follows: o o o o Lucky Mabuza General Manager Sasol Mining Syferfontein Colliery Miguel Bustin - Delta Health and Safety equipment Jaco Combrinck - 3M Terance Stevens - Strata Thank you Maintaining momentum 16