The interim results are part of a study by the Health & Safety Trust and were presented by Gary Mace at the Coal Services’ information transfer seminars in Emerald and Nulkaba this month.

The project, scheduled for completion in March next year, undertakes a baseline “personal” exposure study for personnel involved in longwall transfers, including face installers, chock transport drivers and maintenance personnel.

Road conditions, vehicle movements, engine capacities, fuel type, ventilation and length of exposure are evaluated to provide a measure of best practice. It is hoped this will lead to recommendations for lowering DP exposure for workers during longwall transfers.

Preliminary results from six mines tested and results from five have shown 59% of samples are above the Minerals Council guideline – 0.16mg/m3 TC.

One of the five mines currently analysed returned a geometric mean below the guideline. The mean so far is 0.23 mg/m3. None of the five mines analysed to date has not exceeded the guideline on any sample.

“Cursory examination of the peripheral data suggest that higher ventilation rates and equipment fitted with aftermarket filters have the greatest impact in DP exposure reduction,” said Mace.

Next the research team will analyse the samples in relation to fuel type, ventilation, vehicle hours/engine size/condition, road conditions and control measures. Another six mines will also be sampled.