MNO2608
Assignment 5
(Portfolio)
Semester 1
Memo | Due May
2025
NO PLAGIARISM
[DATE]
[COMPANY NAME]
[Company address]
, 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)
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.
4. Insufficient Cooling Systems: The working area lacked adequate cooling infrastructure,
intensifying heat exposure for workers in already high-temperature environments.
5. Limited Access to Drinking Water: Workers did not have proper access to hydration in
the extreme heat, increasing the likelihood of heat-related illnesses.
Sources:
Mine Health and Safety Council (MHSC), South Africa. Guideline for the Compilation
of a Mandatory Code of Practice for an Occupational Health Programme on Personal
Exposure to Airborne Pollutants.
International Labour Organization (ILO), 2021. Occupational Safety and Health in
Mining.
1.2 Health Risks Associated with Exposure to Silica Dust and Heat Stress (15
marks)
A. Respiratory Risks from Crystalline Silica Dust Exposure:
1. Silicosis: Prolonged inhalation of respirable silica dust can lead to silicosis, an incurable
lung disease marked by inflammation and scarring of lung tissue. It can be disabling and
even fatal over time.
2. Tuberculosis (TB): Exposure to silica increases the risk of developing TB, especially in
regions like South Africa with a high TB burden. Silica-damaged lungs are more
susceptible to TB bacteria.
3. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Long-term exposure to silica dust
can cause COPD, which includes conditions like emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
4. Lung Cancer: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies
crystalline silica as a Group 1 carcinogen, indicating strong evidence it causes lung
cancer.
B. Health Risks from Heat Stress:
1. Heat Exhaustion: This condition is caused by excessive loss of water and salt due to
sweating. Symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and fainting.
2. Heat Stroke: A medical emergency where the body’s temperature regulation fails. It can
lead to confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness, and even death if untreated.
Assignment 5
(Portfolio)
Semester 1
Memo | Due May
2025
NO PLAGIARISM
[DATE]
[COMPANY NAME]
[Company address]
, 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)
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.
4. Insufficient Cooling Systems: The working area lacked adequate cooling infrastructure,
intensifying heat exposure for workers in already high-temperature environments.
5. Limited Access to Drinking Water: Workers did not have proper access to hydration in
the extreme heat, increasing the likelihood of heat-related illnesses.
Sources:
Mine Health and Safety Council (MHSC), South Africa. Guideline for the Compilation
of a Mandatory Code of Practice for an Occupational Health Programme on Personal
Exposure to Airborne Pollutants.
International Labour Organization (ILO), 2021. Occupational Safety and Health in
Mining.
1.2 Health Risks Associated with Exposure to Silica Dust and Heat Stress (15
marks)
A. Respiratory Risks from Crystalline Silica Dust Exposure:
1. Silicosis: Prolonged inhalation of respirable silica dust can lead to silicosis, an incurable
lung disease marked by inflammation and scarring of lung tissue. It can be disabling and
even fatal over time.
2. Tuberculosis (TB): Exposure to silica increases the risk of developing TB, especially in
regions like South Africa with a high TB burden. Silica-damaged lungs are more
susceptible to TB bacteria.
3. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Long-term exposure to silica dust
can cause COPD, which includes conditions like emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
4. Lung Cancer: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies
crystalline silica as a Group 1 carcinogen, indicating strong evidence it causes lung
cancer.
B. Health Risks from Heat Stress:
1. Heat Exhaustion: This condition is caused by excessive loss of water and salt due to
sweating. Symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and fainting.
2. Heat Stroke: A medical emergency where the body’s temperature regulation fails. It can
lead to confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness, and even death if untreated.
