In today’s episode of the Dust Safety Science podcast, Greg Bierie, Technical Specialist at Benetech Inc., discusses the upcoming MSHA changes for respiratory silica dust. His area of focus is total dust management and material handling technology, so he has a strong understanding of the hazards of respirable crystalline silica dust.
How is Silica Dust Hazardous?
Greg explained that there are several hazards associated with silica, primarily health risks. Silica is found in fine beach sand, but the respirable crystalline silica dust we’re concerned about is much smaller—about 100 times smaller, ranging from 1 to 4 microns, and not visible to the naked eye.
Industries that generate silica dust include mining, which can be divided into four groups: metals, nonmetals, stone, and sand and gravel. Examples of metals are gold, copper, iron, zinc, and nickel. Nonmetals focus mainly on underground coal mining. Stone involves materials like granite and limestone. Sand and gravel are used in construction and road building.
What Industries Does Benetech Work With?
Benetech’s work spans diverse industries, including grain, ports, terminals, cement, sand, gravel, agriculture, surface mining, and underground mining. They focus on four main mining groups due to the new Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) rule, which targets mining safety.
Benetech has collaborated with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for several years to develop technologies addressing respirable crystalline silica dust issues. The new MSHA rule, published on April 18th, requires mine operators to implement engineering controls to prevent overexposure to this dust. The rule sets a uniform permissible exposure limit of 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air over an eight-hour shift, down from the previous limit of 100 micrograms per cubic meter.
The rule mandates engineering controls to remove or reduce silica dust at its source and requires proper maintenance of equipment that could contribute to dust levels. NIOSH chose Benetech for this collaboration due to their focus on workplace safety and ease of service and maintenance, which are critical factors for implementing the new rule effectively.
How Can Companies Understand the Level of Silica Dust at Their Site?
In the mining industry, crushing and conveying are critical because they generate a significant amount of dust. Crushing involves reducing large rocks into smaller pieces through primary, secondary, and tertiary stages, with each stage producing progressively smaller fragments. Tertiary crushers generate about 50 times more dust than primary crushers due to the finer material produced.
Benetech co-developed a technology with NIOSH to address this issue, focusing on the high dust levels between tertiary crushers. This system, called the Max Zone Safe+, combines flow control, air control, material containment, collection, and suppression to manage dust effectively. It aims to contain material and control air flow, reducing the air-induced and displaced air that spreads dust.
To handle the very fine dust, including respirable crystalline silica, the system includes a component called the Dustinator, which collects fine dust and communicates with another module, the MiniPak. The MiniPak controls the material flow, minimizes air disturbances, and uses a chemical binder to trap fine dust. This technology, tested with NIOSH’s help, achieved a 93% reduction in respirable crystalline silica.
Benetech also addresses water usage in mining areas where water is scarce. Their technology uses a chemical binder for dust suppression, reducing water consumption by up to 120 times. This system applies minimal water only when necessary to bind respirable crystalline silica to the material stream, preventing re-release.
Additionally, the new MSHA rule mandates proper maintenance of equipment that can increase dust levels. Benetech’s focus on ease of maintenance was a key reason NIOSH chose them as a co-developer. Their equipment is designed for quick, easy maintenance from the outside, eliminating the need for complex field adjustments.
Conclusion
Benetech’s partnership with NIOSH has produced advanced technologies, like the Max Zone Safe+ system, that significantly reduce silica dust levels. This innovative approach not only meets regulatory requirements but also addresses practical challenges such as water scarcity and equipment maintenance.
By focusing on comprehensive dust management, Benetech is helping industries navigate the new regulations while ensuring safer and more efficient operations. As these changes take effect, Benetech’s expertise and cutting-edge solutions will be invaluable for companies striving to create healthier work environments.
If you would like to discuss further, leave your thoughts in the comments section below. You can also reach Greg Bierie directly:
Website: https://benetechglobal.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-bierie-3ba683110/
Email: [email protected]
If you have questions about the contents of this or any other podcast episode, you can go to our ‘Questions from the Community’ page and submit a text message or video recording. We will then bring someone on to answer these questions in a future episode.
Resources mentioned
The resources mentioned in this episode are listed below.
Dust Safety Science
Combustible Dust Incident Database
Dust Safety Science Podcast
Questions from the Community
Companies
Benetech Inc.
Equipment
Max Zone Safe+
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Download the Episode
DSS269: Upcoming MSHA Changes For Respiratory Silica Dust Exposure with Greg Bierie
