Coal dust

• Pages: 33-35

6. Coal dust

6.1.

General

6.1.1.

(1) The formation of coal dust should be prevented as

far as possible.

(2) Underground roadways including airways should be kept

free of accumulations of coal dust, and deposited coal dust should

be removed or rendered harmless.1

6.1.2. (1) To prevent or restrict the spread of explosions,

approved2 stone dust should be applied to the

roof,

floor and sides

of roadways at frequent intervals, and regular sampling of the

incombustible content of the combined material should be per-

formed.

(2) Judicious use should be made of suitable explosion bar-

riers,

which should be properly installed and maintained in an

efficient state.

6.2. Application of water

6.2.1.

The application of water should be recommended as a

means of controlling dust at source and preventing it from be-

coming airborne, by the use of atomisers, water curtains, etc., and

as a means of ensuring the cleanliness of workings by regular

hosing down and by whitewashing.

6.2.2. (1) Water should be applied at transfer

points

and other

places where dust is released.

1 In coal mines other than anthracite mines (or coal mines in which tests

have proved that the danger does not exist) freedom from risk of coal dust

explosions depends on maintaining a high standard of cleanliness at all times.

2 For silica content.

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