Diesel engines provide power to a wide variety of vehicles, heavy equipment and other machinery used in the mining industry. The exhaust from diesel engines contains a mixture of gases and very small particles that can create health hazards when not properly controlled.
Read on to discover the health hazards associated with diesel particulate matter (DPM) and how you can limit its effects.
What is DPM?
DPM is a component of diesel exhaust that includes soot particles, usually less than 1 micrometre in size, made up primarily of carbon, ash, metallic abrasion particles, sulfates and silicates. Diesel soot particles have a solid core consisting of elemental carbon with other substances attached to the surface, including organic carbon compounds known as aromatic hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons have been known to cause cancer in tested animals.
What are the health effects of DPM?
Short-term exposure to high concentrations of DPM can cause headache, dizziness and irritation of the eye, nose and throat severe enough to distract or disable miners and other workers.
Prolonged DPM exposure can increase the risk of lung cancer and cardiovascular, cardiopulmonary and respiratory diseases. OH&S classifies DPM as a human carcinogen.
How can DPM exposures be controlled?
Engineering controls are the most effective strategy for minimizing worker exposure to DPM. A combination of controls is often required. Examples include:
Administrative controls can also be effective; these are changes in the way work tasks are performed to reduce or eliminate the hazard. Examples include:
What can be done help protect miners from DPM exposure?
The following are general tips to help reduce DPM exposure to miners. Check your province’s applicable regulations for any specific DPM or gaseous compound exposure requirements.
Your Mining Exposures Experts
Limiting your employees’ exposure to DPM is a great way to improve worker health. For more information on how to keep your employees healthy and safe on the job, contact the Axis Insurance Group today, or get your free copy of our Mining & Mineral Exploration Insurance Guide here: