Queensland Consolidated Regulations

COAL MINING SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATION 2017 - REG 89

89 Dust

(1) A coal mine’s safety and health management system must provide ways of ensuring—

(a) each coal mine worker’s exposure to respirable dust at the mine is kept to an acceptable level; and

(b) the worker does not breathe an atmosphere at the mine containing respirable dust exceeding an average concentration, calculated under AS 2985:2009, equivalent to the following for an 8-hour period—

(i) for coal dust—1.5mg/m 3 air;

(ii) for free silica—0.05mg/m 3 air.

Note—

AS 2985:2009 ‘Workplace atmospheres—Method for sampling and gravimetric determination of respirable dust’

(2) If a person works a shift of more than 8 hours at the mine, the system must provide ways of ensuring the person’s dosage of respirable dust is not more than the equivalent dosage for a person working an 8-hour shift.

(3) The system must provide that, if the average concentration of respirable dust in the atmosphere is above the levels stated in subsection (1) —

(a) the controls for minimising dust must be reviewed; and

(b) the system must be changed to ensure the average concentration is reduced to, or below, the levels stated in subsection (1) .

(4) The system must provide ways of suppressing excessive airborne dust so a person’s safety is not threatened, including, for example, by reduced visibility.

(5) The system must provide for the following—

(a) monitoring, and preparing a record of, concentrations of respirable dust in the atmosphere of the work environment;

(b) keeping the record in a location that is easily accessible by each coal mine worker at the mine;

(c) submitting the record to the chief inspector—

(i) in a way, and in a format, approved by the chief inspector; and

(ii) for development operations or longwall operations—at least once every 3 months and as otherwise directed by an inspector; and

(iii) otherwise—

(A) as required under a recognised standard related to the monitoring of respirable dust at coal mines; or

(B) as otherwise directed by an inspector;

(d) the investigation and reporting procedure stated in section 89A for high average respirable dust concentrations.