DETERMINING THE FEASIBILITY OF AREA SAMPLING TO ENFORCE THE RESPIRABLE DUST STANDARD IN UNDERGROUND COAL MINES.

New regulations are being prepared to enforce the mandatory health standard established in the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 (ACT). A program based on an ″area sampling concept″ rather than on the collection of personal samples is being proposed. This paper describes the field study conducted in an underground coal mine to evaluate the feasibility of employing the ″area sampling concept.″ Environmental respirable dust levels and co-dependent engineering parameters wre measured in underground shop areas, haulage entries and at key transfer points. In addition, personal respirable dust samples were obtained on personnel required to work in any of the respective areas for an entire shift. The results of the study depicted that although the dust concentration of the high-risk occupation (that occupation generally considered to be exposed to the highest respirable dust concentration) may comply with the mandatory health standard, dust generated at other locations in the mine may present a significant health hazard to personnel working in these areas. It was concluded from this study that the ″area sampling concept″ could more viably insure that the intent of the 1969 ACT is fulfilled.