Good housekeeping practices can greatly reduce miners’ exposures to respirable dust and silica. Take time to keep your work clothes, boots, cloth seats, equipment and floors as clean as possible.

• Dusty work clothes are a significant source of secondary exposures  
  • Regularly wash work clothes including jackets and sweatshirts.
  • Install and use solutions such as cleaning stations and booths.
  • Compressed air cannot be used to clean clothes!
     
• Dirt and dust can be carried into work areas on miners’ boots
  • Install boot washing stations near production areas.
  • Install boot brushes outside of equipment cabs, control rooms, and offices.
     
• Cloth seats can collect and release dust every time they are used
  • Use leather and vinyl chairs in equipment, break rooms, and offices.
  •  Wipe down chairs regularly.
     
• Wash equipment and floors on a regular basis
  • Start by slowly wetting the area with a wide spray nozzle, then move the wetted material with a more forceful nozzle.
  • Use floor sweeping units and HEPA vacuums in high-traffic areas.
  • Use a sweeping compound to reduce dust when dry sweeping.

HOUSEKEEPING PDF FOR DOWNLOADING

CORESafety:

To learn more about CORESafety, visit us at www.coresafety.org