The 2024 Queensland Mining Industry Health & Safety Conference (QMIHSC) was held from the 18th-21st of August with a number of dust-related presentations. One excellent presentation from Dustin Bennett (GCG Health, Safety & Hygiene) was on Risk-based RTW for dust lung diseases.
Unfortunately, controls to prevent dust exposure in the past have been either absent or ineffective, and as a result, Dustin is leading the industry in developing a process to safely return to work miners that have dust-related lung disease.
This is where AS/NZ ISO 23875 comes into play for operators in cabs. Firstly, if implemented, it prevents the operator from being exposed to respirable dust and crystalline silica to prevent dust-related lung disease. Secondly, it prevents any further exposure for those who have been previously exposed, allowing them to return to meaningful roles in mining.
If you find this helpful, please repost it. Your comments are appreciated. Further information about AS/NZS ISO 23875, including an online course on the standard, can be found at ISEEE.NET
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