At a glance
What matters most
- 01
Respirable coal mine dust can cause coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, or black lung.
- 02
Respirable silica can cause silicosis and other serious disease.
- 03
Ventilation, water sprays, enclosed cabs and dust capture are common controls.
- 04
Dust sampling is necessary to verify that controls work.
The dust is not all the same
Coal, stone, ore and surrounding rock produce different particle mixtures. Drilling, cutting, crushing, conveying and vehicle movement can generate respirable dust that reaches deep into the lungs.
A task may involve coal dust, crystalline silica, diesel particulate and other contaminants at the same time.
Dust-control methods
- Ventilation that carries contaminants away from workers
- Water sprays and wet drilling or cutting
- Enclosures, local exhaust and sealed operator cabs
- Maintenance, housekeeping and real-time or personal dust monitoring
Respiratory protection
Respirators may be part of the control plan, particularly during specific tasks or maintenance, but they do not replace feasible engineering controls. Selection requires the contaminant, exposure concentration and work conditions.
Frequently asked questions
What is black lung?
Black lung is coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, a potentially disabling disease caused by inhaling respirable coal mine dust.
Can mining dust contain silica?
Yes. Cutting or drilling rock can release respirable crystalline silica even in coal-mining operations.
Why is dust monitoring important?
Dust may be invisible at harmful respirable sizes, and monitoring is needed to measure exposure and confirm whether controls are effective.
Primary sources
This reference was prepared from the following primary public-health and regulatory sources: