Modern Quarrying Q3 2020

and skin; dust explosions and fire; damage to equipment; impaired visibility and health hazards to the local communities.” Mike Lewis, VP of sales at US-based industrial dust and odour solutions company Boss-Tek, agrees: “Worker health and safety is the primary reason why dust control is critical to so many operations. An environment with airborne quarry dust, which often contains silica, creates a worker safety hazard. In addition, the quarrying company could be held liable if employ- ees develop illness or chronic disease due to long-term dust exposure.” Pilot Crushtec International’s sales and marketing director Francois Marais says dust pollution has been a growing environmental concern over the past decade and expects it to “grow as a focus of concern over the coming years”. He agrees that, in terms of health and safety, many of the “most serious” risks to on-site staff are either caused or exacerbated by dust. Dust suppres- sion, he says, is an essential element of any effective health and safety policy. “Worker health and safety is the primary reason why dust control is critical to so many operations. An environment with airborne quarry dust, which often contains silica, creates a worker safety hazard. In addition, the quarrying company could be held liable if employees develop illness or chronic disease due to long-term dust exposure.” MIKE LEWIS

Atomised mist is recognised as an effective method of dust suppression

Road construction material is critical and will play a major role in assisting with road maintenance and dust suppression

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QUARTER 3 - 2020 MODERN QUARRYING