What must the SHMS provide in regard to coal dust explosion prevention and control?

• A. Minimising the risk of coal dust explosion; suppressing coal dust explosion and limiting its propagation; limiting and removing coal dust generation and accumulation on roadways and surfaces; suppressing, collecting and removing airborne coal dust; deciding on the stonedust application rate
• B. Only focusing on exposure monitoring.
• C. Only addressing the ventilation of dust.
• D. No requirements specified.

Answer: (A)

This question tests that the SHMS must provide a comprehensive approach to preventing and controlling coal dust explosions. The best answer reflects all key elements: minimising the risk by preventing coal dust generation and accumulation; suppressing a coal dust explosion and limiting its propagation; removing dust from roadways and surfaces to stop build-up; suppressing, collecting and removing airborne coal dust; and deciding on the rate of stone-dust (inerting dust) application. Together, these cover how dust is generated, how it can ignite and spread, and how it is controlled in the workplace.

Focusing only on exposure monitoring or only on dust ventilation would miss important aspects of explosion prevention, and saying no requirements exist would ignore safety duties.