West Virginia Surface Coal Mine Health and Safety Course Practice Test

Reducing miners’ exposure to respirable dust by putting in place effective controls is the goal. A respirable dust control plan focuses on practical measures that lower the amount of dust that becomes airborne and can be inhaled. Water sprays or other dust suppression at the source help keep dust from becoming respirable. Proper ventilation then dilutes and removes airborne dust from the work area, further cutting exposure. Together, these engineering and operational controls directly prevent inhalation of dangerous dust.

Monitoring alone doesn’t prevent exposure, and while training in housekeeping and scheduling maintenance are important parts of a safety program, they don’t capture the primary purpose of the plan, which is to minimize inhalation through the implemented controls.