Summary

Practices that reduce occupational lung diseases and improve occupational health

The Mine Health and Safety Council (MHSC), as per the mandate of the Mine Health and Safety Act of 1996 as amended, decreed at the 2014 Occupational Health and Safety Summit Milestones, that 'by December 2024, 95% of all exposure measurement results will be below the milestone level for respirable crystalline silica of 0.05 mg/m3 (these results are individual readings and not average results) and using present diagnostic techniques, no new cases of silicosis will occur amongst previously unexposed individuals'.

Objectives

  • To find leading practices that have the highest potential for reducing diseases related to airborne pollutants and for facilitating the adoption of leading practices through a people-oriented process
  • To attain the critical milestone by December 2024: eliminate all occupational lung disease

MOSH dust leading practices compendium

Since the inception of the MOSH Learning Hub, six dust leading practices have been identified, documented, demonstrated and adopted by several mining operations. These leading practices have been proven to have significant impact in reducing the airborne pollutant exposure risks amongst employees in the industry, thus assisting in achieving the industry set milestones towards elimination of occupational lung diseases.