Crushing + screening
Breaking down all types and sizes of rocks in quarrying, through crushing and screening processes generate high levels of respirable dust. When the rocks are crushed and then screened, large volumes of both visible and invisible dust becomes airborne and travels across the entire quarry site, presenting a risk for all workers.
Drilling + blasting
As in mining, quarrying also involves a large amount of drilling, blasting and other methods to break down rocks and spaces for processing and extracting. These processes lead to rocks, clay and other natural materials becoming very small and making them airborne and easily inhaled, leading to severe health risks for workers.
Storage of minerals + natural materials
Once all materials have been extracted and processed, they’re stored in designated areas after collection. Here, natural materials are stored in stockpiles, where they grind against other materials and minerals, creating more and more respirable dust. When these minerals are used, the settled dust becomes disturbed and airborne.
Maintenance + handling processes
Maintenance of all types of machinery, vehicles and minerals, such as rock and sand in quarrying can generate respirable dust. If dust from screening, drilling and even in stockpiles isn’t correctly maintained it becomes dormant. Poor maintenance and handling processes like dry sweeping can whip this dust up, presenting health issues.
Transport of goods
Heavy-duty vehicles used in quarrying such as haul trucks and conveyors often involve moving large volumes of natural minerals which have been processed and are fine and small in size. This can present risk of airborne dust across all areas of the site, as well as other dust which may be trapped in wheels and cabs of the vehicle.
