Abstract No:
1482
Abstract Type:
Professional Poster
Authors:
J Koehn1
Institutions:
1JK, Inc., Houston, TX
Presenter:
Ms Jan Koehn, CIH
JK, Inc.
Description:
Industrial hygiene occupational exposure assessment to identified hazards for underground mining and product processing for a specified facility location in Texas was performed in May 2025. Data documentation for an operating mine production facility involving defined job positions and work locations was addressed in accordance with current Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) regulations. A representative project sampling strategy was developed for airborne Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM), Respirable Particulates and Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS), and also Total Particulates and Sodium Chloride. Noise dosimetry and surface wipe samples for identified Metals using published methods and also grab sample Sound Pressure Levels (SPLs) were obtained at operating equipment. Standard Industrial Hygiene processes employing recognition, evaluation, and control techniques were applied to existing underground and surface mining operations and maintenance with air samples analyzed by AIHA-accredited laboratories. Full-shift exposure monitoring for identified job positions with observations was performed based on existing MSHA regulations with proper data interpretation involving airborne concentrations compared to referenced Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) and specifically MSHA requirements as published PELs for facility compliance as investigated for this field site project.
Situation / Problem:
Industrial hygiene consulting services were addressed for full-shift airborne personal exposure monitoring by job position for specified hazards and Noise for underground and surface level MSHA facility production during May 2025. Existing operations and maintenance for routine facility work were investigated including standard equipment location and use. Airborne hazard assessment included exposure data documentation for Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM), Respirable Particulates and Total Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS), and Total Particulates and Sodium Chloride with Noise monitoring and also surface wipe samples for Metals were outlined by the Client using published methods with respect to current MSHA regulations. Proper data interpretation and additional calculations were completed by a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) for report inclusion with respect to published MSHA PELs and other referenced OELs. Input for recommended exposure controls was discussed with Client EHSS Representatives involving specified underground mine facility operations and production activities including appropriate control measures.
Methods:
Professional and technical industrial hygiene consulting services by a CIH were provided for a representative exposure assessment sampling strategy for the outlined airborne Particulates by job position and work locations for the Non-Metal underground mine and surface production facility. Personal samples were obtained using published sampling and analytical methods to provide data documentation using calibrated sample pumps adjusted to proper flow rates for a 10-hour day shift. Sample media (i.e. filter cassettes and specified PPIs to match ISO 7708 CEN criteria for RCS airborne exposure determination) and also impactors (i.e. particle size-selective cyclones) were used for personal breathing zone sample collection. Monitoring was conducted in May 2025 for specified current production involving facility Operations and Maintenance for the Client location in Texas with respect to outlined MSHA exposure assessment. Observations were completed for airborne Particulate hazards as well as Noise source exposures with specific equipment operation and maintenance involving a combination of underground and surface areas. Breathing zone air samples for Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM), Total Particulates and Sodium Chloride, Respirable Particulates, and Total Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) were documented as well as personal Noise dosimetry results for mine operations involving specified job positions, work locations during a representative full day shift. Area wipe samples for the presence of 7 Elements (i.e. Cobalt, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Selenium, and Zinc) were also collected within the identified facility work areas.
The industrial hygiene sampling and analytical methods for the specified Particulates included: NIOSH 5040 for Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) to determine required MSHA compliance for an underground mine facility; NIOSH 0500 for Total Particulates with NIOSH 7303 Modified for Sodium and calculated Sodium Chloride (NaCl) airborne concentrations in addition to various Elements/Metals for potential surface contamination; and, NIOSH 0600 for Respirable Particulates and NIOSH 7500 for Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) including Cristobalite and Quartz with respect to existing and future MSHA regulations in 30 CFR Part 16 for underground nonmetal mine operators as of April 8, 2026.
Results / Conclusions:
Data documentation of airborne personal full-shift exposures for the operating nonmetal mine and production facility in Texas was addressed for defined job positions in accordance with current MSHA regulations for the underground during 2025. Industrial Hygiene principles were employed including recognition, evaluation, and control techniques for current hazard assessment of existing operations and maintenance activities in association with the Client's EHSS Representatives for the prioritized locations. Representative exposure monitoring with observations were performed based on existing referenced MSHA requirements. Personal Noise dosimetry with grab sample SPLs were also recorded at operating equipment, and current monitoring data with respect to reported airborne concentrations were compared to referenced Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) and MSHA PEL regulations for facility compliance.
Workplace breathing zone monitoring was completed for Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM), Respirable Particulates and Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS), Total Particulates and Sodium Chloride as well as Noise monitoring and surface wipe samples for identified Metals. Project results with additional data calculations from the IH laboratory analytical reports and also by the Consultant were presented for proper review and specific interpretation including personal Noise dosimetry in accordance with current MSHA Part 62 Noise standard regulatory compliance determinations based on MSHA Hearing Conservation criteria (i.e. 85 dBA) and also the MSHA PEL (i.e. 90 dBA). Separate review of dosimetry data using MSHA PEL criteria indicates all personal exposure results were below 90 dBA as an 8-hour TWA for the facility underground jobs. Therefore, continued maintenance and enforcement of an appropriate company Hearing Protection Program is required for current representative production work activities.
Core Competencies:
Exposure Assessment
Secondary Core Competencies:
Risk Assessment
Work Environments, Occupations, and Industrial Processes
Choose at least one (1), and up to five, (5) keywords from the following list. These selections will optimize your presentation's search results for attendees.
Aerosol and airborne particulate monitoring
Exposure Assessment
Hearing conservation and noise reduction
Risk assessment and management
Safety
Based on the selected primary competency area of your proposal, select one group below that would be best suited to serve as a subject matter expert for peer review:
(Select one)
Mining Working Group
Based on the information that will be presented during your proposed session, please indicate the targeted audience practice level: (select one)
Professional: Professional is a job title given to persons who have obtained a baccalaureate or graduate degree in IH/OH, public health, safety, environmental sciences, biology, chemistry, physics, or engineering or who have a degree in another area that meets the standards set forth in the next section, Knowledge and Skill Sets of IH/OH Practice Levels, and has had 4 or more years of practice. One significant way of demonstrating professional competence is to achieve certification by a 3rd party whose certification scheme is recognized by the International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA) such as the Board of Global EHS Credentialing (BGC).
Was this session organized by an AIHA Technical Committee, Special Interest Group, Working Group, Advisory Group or other AIHA project Team?
No
Are worker exposure data and/or results of worker exposure data analysis presented?
No
How will this help advance the science of IH/OH?
Review and consideration of MSHA regulations applicable to underground mining and production operations.
What level would you consider your presentation content geared towards?
Intermediate: Specific topics within a subject. The participant would have two (2) to ten (10) years experience in industrial hygiene or OEHS and a good understanding of the subject area, but not of the specific topic presented. Prerequisites required: another course, skill, or working knowledge of the general subject.
Have you presented this information before?
No
I have read and agree to these guidelines.
Yes