Mining & Resources

Quartz dust from drilling, blasting, and crushing operations. The WES for RCS was halved to 0.05 mg/m³ in 2020 following the re-emergence of silicosis in Queensland. Cyclone pre-selector sampling at 2.2 L/min with gravimetric analysis and XRD quartz identification.

Respirable coal dust exposure in underground and open-cut coal mining. Coal workers' pneumoconiosis (black lung) re-identified in Queensland in 2015 after decades of assumed elimination. Mandatory health monitoring under Coal Mining Safety and Health Act.

Diesel exhaust emissions from underground vehicles and equipment. New WEL of 0.01 mg/m³ (elemental carbon) effective December 2026 will significantly impact underground operations.

Continuous and impulse noise from drilling, blasting, crushing, and heavy mobile equipment. Personal dosimetry across SEGs with octave band analysis for hearing protector selection.

Maintenance and fabrication welding in mining workshops. Manganese and hexavalent chromium from stainless steel repair work. IARC Group 1 carcinogen classification since 2017.

Typical Worker Groups

Common similar exposure groups (SEGs) assessed in this industry.

Regulatory Context

Mining operations in Australia are regulated under state-specific mining safety legislation (e.g., Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 in Queensland, Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Act 2013 in NSW) in addition to the WHS Act. Safe Work Australia WES apply alongside state mining regulations. Health monitoring is mandatory for workers exposed to coal dust, RCS, and other listed substances.