[Date] MNO2608
Assignme
nt 5
(Portfolio)
Semester
1 Memo |
Due May
2025
NO PLAGIARISM
user
[COMPANY NAME]
, Exam (elaborations)
MNO2608 Assignment 5 (Portfolio)
Semester 1 Memo | Due May 2025
Course
Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene (MNO2608)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
MNO2608 Assignment 5 (Portfolio) Semester 1 Memo | Due May 2025. All
questions fully answered.
QUESTION 1 [20] CASE STUDY ONE (1): Respirable Silica Dust Exposure and
Heat Stress in an Underground Gold Mine. In 2022, twenty-five (25) mine
workers at an underground gold mine in South Africa were exposed to
dangerously high levels of respirable crystalline silica dust during routine
drilling operations. The dust suppression systems, including water sprays
and misting, were not functioning properly, and the underground ventilation
system was underperforming due to delayed servicing. Exposure monitoring
later revealed silica dust levels exceeding 0.25 mg/m³, which is more than
double the legal limit of 0.1 mg/m³. Additionally, the underground working
environment was extremely hot. Workers faced heat stress due to
inadequate cooling systems and limited access to water in the work area.
Prolonged exposure to heat stress, combined with poor air quality, put
workers at risk for both heat-related illnesses and respiratory problems.
Note: This case study is fictional and intended solely for portfolio assessment
purposes. Any resemblance to actual persons or real events is purely
coincidental. Make use of Case Study 1 and conduct additional research to
answer the question. Remember to reference the sources of your
information. 1.1. Identify the key failures that led to workers being exposed
to respirable silica dust and heat stress. (5) 1.2. Discuss the health risks
associated with prolonged exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust and
heat stress in an underground mining environment. (5)
QUESTION 1 [20] – CASE STUDY 1: Respirable Silica Dust Exposure and Heat
Stress in an Underground Gold Mine
1.1 Identify the Key Failures Leading to Exposure (5 marks)
,Based on the case study, the following key failures contributed to the exposure of workers to
respirable silica dust and heat stress:
1. Non-Functional Dust Suppression Systems:
o Water sprays and misting systems, which are critical to suppress silica dust during
drilling, were not operational.
2. Delayed Maintenance of Ventilation Systems:
o The underground ventilation system was underperforming due to delayed
servicing, reducing air quality and failing to remove airborne contaminants and
heat.
3. Failure to Monitor Environmental Conditions in Real-Time:
o Although exposure levels were eventually detected, real-time monitoring
systems were not in place to prevent exposure before it exceeded safe limits.
4. Inadequate Heat Control Measures:
o Cooling systems in the underground environment were inadequate or not
functioning, leading to high ambient temperatures.
5. Limited Access to Drinking Water:
o Workers did not have regular access to water, increasing their vulnerability to
heat stress and dehydration.
1.2 Health Risks of Prolonged Exposure in an Underground Mining
Environment (5 marks)
A. Health Risks from Respirable Crystalline Silica Dust:
1. Silicosis:
o An incurable lung disease caused by the inhalation of fine silica dust, leading to
lung scarring, breathing difficulties, and reduced lung capacity.
2. Lung Cancer:
o The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies respirable
crystalline silica as a Group 1 carcinogen. Long-term exposure significantly
increases the risk of lung cancer.
3. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD):
o Continuous inhalation of silica dust contributes to chronic bronchitis and
emphysema, reducing quality of life and work capacity.
B. Health Risks from Heat Stress:
4. Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke:
o Prolonged exposure to hot conditions without cooling or hydration can cause
fatigue, confusion, fainting, or life-threatening heat stroke.
5. Dehydration and Impaired Cognitive Function:
, o Lack of water access and high temperatures can cause severe dehydration,
reducing concentration, reaction time, and increasing the risk of accidents
underground.
Conclusion:
These conditions present serious, preventable health risks and highlight critical gaps in
occupational health and safety practices. Prolonged exposure in such environments can lead to
permanent disability or fatal health outcomes without intervention.
References:
World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). Protecting Workers from Exposure to
Crystalline Silica.
International Labour Organization (ILO). (2022). Safety and Health in Mines.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). (2020). Silica Hazards
and Heat Stress.
South African Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA) No. 29 of 1996.
1.1 Key Failures Leading to Worker Exposure (5 marks)
The main failures that contributed to the exposure of workers to respirable crystalline silica dust
and heat stress include:
1. Malfunctioning Dust Suppression Systems: The water sprays and misting systems—
critical for controlling dust levels—were not operational, allowing dust to accumulate and
be inhaled by workers.
2. Inadequate Ventilation: The underground ventilation system was not functioning
optimally due to delayed maintenance, resulting in poor air circulation and accumulation
of harmful dust and heat.
3. Lack of Environmental Monitoring and Timely Response: There was a delay in
detecting and responding to the excessive dust levels and rising temperatures
underground, indicating poor environmental hazard monitoring.
Assignme
nt 5
(Portfolio)
Semester
1 Memo |
Due May
2025
NO PLAGIARISM
user
[COMPANY NAME]
, Exam (elaborations)
MNO2608 Assignment 5 (Portfolio)
Semester 1 Memo | Due May 2025
Course
Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene (MNO2608)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
MNO2608 Assignment 5 (Portfolio) Semester 1 Memo | Due May 2025. All
questions fully answered.
QUESTION 1 [20] CASE STUDY ONE (1): Respirable Silica Dust Exposure and
Heat Stress in an Underground Gold Mine. In 2022, twenty-five (25) mine
workers at an underground gold mine in South Africa were exposed to
dangerously high levels of respirable crystalline silica dust during routine
drilling operations. The dust suppression systems, including water sprays
and misting, were not functioning properly, and the underground ventilation
system was underperforming due to delayed servicing. Exposure monitoring
later revealed silica dust levels exceeding 0.25 mg/m³, which is more than
double the legal limit of 0.1 mg/m³. Additionally, the underground working
environment was extremely hot. Workers faced heat stress due to
inadequate cooling systems and limited access to water in the work area.
Prolonged exposure to heat stress, combined with poor air quality, put
workers at risk for both heat-related illnesses and respiratory problems.
Note: This case study is fictional and intended solely for portfolio assessment
purposes. Any resemblance to actual persons or real events is purely
coincidental. Make use of Case Study 1 and conduct additional research to
answer the question. Remember to reference the sources of your
information. 1.1. Identify the key failures that led to workers being exposed
to respirable silica dust and heat stress. (5) 1.2. Discuss the health risks
associated with prolonged exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust and
heat stress in an underground mining environment. (5)
QUESTION 1 [20] – CASE STUDY 1: Respirable Silica Dust Exposure and Heat
Stress in an Underground Gold Mine
1.1 Identify the Key Failures Leading to Exposure (5 marks)
,Based on the case study, the following key failures contributed to the exposure of workers to
respirable silica dust and heat stress:
1. Non-Functional Dust Suppression Systems:
o Water sprays and misting systems, which are critical to suppress silica dust during
drilling, were not operational.
2. Delayed Maintenance of Ventilation Systems:
o The underground ventilation system was underperforming due to delayed
servicing, reducing air quality and failing to remove airborne contaminants and
heat.
3. Failure to Monitor Environmental Conditions in Real-Time:
o Although exposure levels were eventually detected, real-time monitoring
systems were not in place to prevent exposure before it exceeded safe limits.
4. Inadequate Heat Control Measures:
o Cooling systems in the underground environment were inadequate or not
functioning, leading to high ambient temperatures.
5. Limited Access to Drinking Water:
o Workers did not have regular access to water, increasing their vulnerability to
heat stress and dehydration.
1.2 Health Risks of Prolonged Exposure in an Underground Mining
Environment (5 marks)
A. Health Risks from Respirable Crystalline Silica Dust:
1. Silicosis:
o An incurable lung disease caused by the inhalation of fine silica dust, leading to
lung scarring, breathing difficulties, and reduced lung capacity.
2. Lung Cancer:
o The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies respirable
crystalline silica as a Group 1 carcinogen. Long-term exposure significantly
increases the risk of lung cancer.
3. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD):
o Continuous inhalation of silica dust contributes to chronic bronchitis and
emphysema, reducing quality of life and work capacity.
B. Health Risks from Heat Stress:
4. Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke:
o Prolonged exposure to hot conditions without cooling or hydration can cause
fatigue, confusion, fainting, or life-threatening heat stroke.
5. Dehydration and Impaired Cognitive Function:
, o Lack of water access and high temperatures can cause severe dehydration,
reducing concentration, reaction time, and increasing the risk of accidents
underground.
Conclusion:
These conditions present serious, preventable health risks and highlight critical gaps in
occupational health and safety practices. Prolonged exposure in such environments can lead to
permanent disability or fatal health outcomes without intervention.
References:
World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). Protecting Workers from Exposure to
Crystalline Silica.
International Labour Organization (ILO). (2022). Safety and Health in Mines.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). (2020). Silica Hazards
and Heat Stress.
South African Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA) No. 29 of 1996.
1.1 Key Failures Leading to Worker Exposure (5 marks)
The main failures that contributed to the exposure of workers to respirable crystalline silica dust
and heat stress include:
1. Malfunctioning Dust Suppression Systems: The water sprays and misting systems—
critical for controlling dust levels—were not operational, allowing dust to accumulate and
be inhaled by workers.
2. Inadequate Ventilation: The underground ventilation system was not functioning
optimally due to delayed maintenance, resulting in poor air circulation and accumulation
of harmful dust and heat.
3. Lack of Environmental Monitoring and Timely Response: There was a delay in
detecting and responding to the excessive dust levels and rising temperatures
underground, indicating poor environmental hazard monitoring.
