The ranking were compiled as part of a baseline study of occupational health and hygiene issues by BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal and the Health and Safety Trust.
The ranking forms a component of a $200,000 project outlining health and hygiene issues and which aims to provide guidance on which areas need to be managed and what level of resources are necessary to control them to within reasonable limits.
The committee has completed about 30-40% of the 19 issues originally identified in detail, and are moving to evaluate the remainder over the next 18 to 24 months.
The risk ranking was determined by a committee consisting of management representatives, site safety training officers, workforce representatives, an occupational physician, an occupational hygienist and local check inspector.
The risk ranked occupational health and hygiene issues in underground coal operations evaluated are:
1. Dust
2. Noise
3. Hazardous substances
4. Micobiological agents
5. Organic vapours
6. Gases
7. Diesel particulate
8. Welding fumes
9. Soluble oil
10. Confined spaces
11. Vibration
12. Asbestosis
13. Heat stress
14. Radiation
15. Synthetic mineral fibres
16. Lighting
17. Electromagnetic fields
18. PCB’
19. Mould/fungi
