Background. Dust exposure and its related harmful effects on miners is a serious health issue. Objectives. The present study was undertaken to identify respirable dust concentrations and free silica content in 24 dust samples collected from a limestone mine during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. Methods. Time-weighted average (TWA) dust concentrations were calculated for 8-hour work shifts followed by determination of free silica concentration using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy technique. Results. The TWA dust concentration for personal and area dust samples during September 2013 was found to be in the range of 0.32–1.04 mg/m 3 and 0.25–0.54 mg/m 3 , respectively. For February 2014, the TWA dust concentration was between 0.62–1.23 mg/m 3 for personal samples and 1.04–2.64 mg/m 3 for area samples. Samples collected in February 2014 had marginally higher values of dust levels in the air of the mine compared to September 2013. The highest dust concentration was found to be 1.23 mg/m 3 for a drill operator and 2.64 mg/m 3 at the crusher belt conveyor junction. The average free silica percent for the samples collected in February 2014 was 1.73%, which was almost double compared to September 2013 (0.87%). Conclusions. In both seasons, personal dust samples had higher free silica content than area dust samples. Even though dust concentrations were below the permissible limit, workers had widely different exposures, hence many of them may be at risk of pneumoconiosis when exposure is prolonged. Participant Consent. Obtained Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.
TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractIndian state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is nearing completion of a major data management initiative that began in 1999. This paper presents a case study of the Exploration & Production Information Network (EPINET) Project. Rather than communicating detailed facts and IT aspects, the paper will show how EPINET has dealt with the critical "people, process, and technology" aspects of project implementation. It also includes a discussion of maturity levels in data management and how EPINET is helping the company to evolve along the maturity path in its information management practice.The objective of the EPINET project was setting up a live E&P information network across the length and breadth of India. It included setting up infrastructure (machines and software) in as many as 18 sites, empowering the sites with suitably trained people, and creating and implementing policies and procedures for managing a steady flow of information. It required standardization, change management and motivating people. It ongoingly deals with data aggregation, organizing disparate information, and providing easy and free access to information.
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