MSHA health alert focuses on worksite housekeeping

A new Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) health alert offers best practices to help miners reduce their exposure to respirable dust and silica.

MSHA warns that dusty work clothes are a significant source of secondary exposure to dust and silica, which can be tracked into work areas via miners’ boots. The health alert recommends that miners take the following measures to keep work areas clear:

• Wash work clothes regularly;
• Install and use cleaning stations and booths, including boot-washing stations near production areas;
• Use leather and vinyl chairs in equipment, break rooms, and offices;
• Wipe down chairs on a regular basis;
• Wash equipment and floors regularly; and
• Use floor sweeping units and High Efficiency Particulate Air vacuums in high-traffic areas.

The full alert can be found on MSHA’s website.