ASSESSMENT OF THE TECHNICALLY ACHIEVABLE LEVEL OF DUSTINESS IN THE AIR DURING EXCAVATION WORK IN COAL MINES

Abstract

Purpose. Development of a criterion for compliance with the normative indicator – technically achievable level of dust (TAL) – a safe dose of dust particles that have entered the lungs of the employee for the entire period of retirement. Method. The research was conducted on the basis of standard algebraic analysis of the requirements of regulatory documents. Results. A criterion was obtained for the assessment by the coordinating organizations of the correctness of the mine’s determination of the technically achievable level of dustiness of the TAL. It is not related to the assessment of the perfection of dust control technology, but to the medical requirements for the prevention of employee pneumoconiosis during the entire retirement age of his work in a dusty atmosphere (20 years). The criterion is based on the amount of dust load on the respiratory organs of the underground worker during the shift, month, year and the entire period of his work, regulated by current regulations. Scientific novelty. It consists in the mathematical formalization of an intuitive connection between TAL – the maximum level of dustiness of underground workings during excavation machines, medium-variable dust, which takes into account interruptions in the work of excavation machines, and dust load on the respiratory organs of the worker. Practical meaning. The developed criterion allows to carry out the coordinated policy of the management and trade unions of the coal enterprises, supervisory and coordinating instances in questions of reasonable sufficiency of the planned antidust measures, both at a stage of drawing up of the design documentation, and at coordination of acts of TAL. Key words: dustiness, dust load, respiratory organs, dust excretion, dust suppression.