Health requirements for advanced coal extraction systems

Abstract

Health requirements have been developed as long-range goals for future advanced coal extraction systems which would be introduced into the market in the year 2000. This document summarises those k requirements and presents the analyses and data supporting them.The goal of the requirements is that underground coal miners work in an environment that is as close as possible to the working conditions of the general population, that they do not exceed mortality and morbidity rates resulting from lung diseases that are comparable to those of the general population, and that their working conditions comply as closely as possible to those of other industries as specified by OSHA regulations. The primary health requirements for advanced coal XLraction systems are that coal dust be reduced to less than 2 mg/m 3 to reduce the incidence of chronic lung diseases in miners, and that carcinogens and mutagena be reduced to levels typical of the air in large urban centers. Secondary requirements are thats (1) relative humidity be between 50% and 75% and that temperature be between 65 OF and 780F, with no extreme swings in either; (2) noise and lighting levels conform to present MSHA standards; (3) working space accommodate most body configurations, and (4) vibration damping equipment be provided.A brief technique for evaluating whether proposed advanced systems meet these safety requirements is presented, as well as a discussion of the costs of respiratory disability compensation. Appendices describe the effects of coal dust ingestion, suggest a recommended technique for detecting potential carcinogens, and present tables of accepted working space standards. L. fit FOREWORDThis document is one of a series which describe systems level requirements for advanced underground coal mining equipment. These requirements are summarized in "Overall Requirements for an Advanced Underground Coal Extraction System," JPL Publication 80-39 by Martin Goldsmith and Milton , L. Lavin. Five areas of performance are discussed:(1) Production cost.(2) Miner safety.(3) Miner health.(4) Environmental impact.(5) Recovery efficiency.The report which follows presents details of the analysi-used to formulate the health requirements. This work is part of an effort to define and develop innovative coal extraction systems suitable for the significant resources remaining in the year 2000. Sponsorship is provided by the Office of Mining, United States Department of Energy via an interagency agreement with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.