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Notice to Mines: Issue with personal exposure sampling devices

It has come to the attention of the Queensland Mines Inspectorate (QMI) that there is an issue with particular
sampling devices widely used to monitor personal exposure to respirable dust and crystalline silica.

SKC Limited (SKC), a manufacturer of Respirable Cyclone devices, issued advice to industry on 20 August 2018
about the following models:
• 225-69 Cyclone sampler with re-usable cassette for 25mm diameter filter
• 225-69-37 Cyclone sampler with re-usable cassette for 37mm diameter filter

The amended instructions specify a design flow rate of 3.0 L/min for these models. It is not clear whether this flow
rate complies with the requirements specified in Table 2 of Australian Standard AS2985:2009.
Sites should consider the advice and amended operating instructions issued by SKC and consult their
occupational hygiene providers about how this affects their monitoring programs.

A copy of SKC’s advice is available here. SKC advice

SKC has recently issued amended operating instructions for these models, which can be accessed at https://www.skcltd.com/images/pdfs/007-04-001_Issue_E_Cyclone_Sampler_Instructions.pdf
QMI will continue to monitor the situation and will provide information as it becomes available.

Also below is some information around frequently asked questions that may arise.

1. Why has this issue only come to light now?
a. Industry relies on manufacturer’s statements of conformance against relevant standards.
b. SKC issued its advice to industry on 20 August 2018.

2. Is all dust monitoring data affected?
a. No – Only dust monitoring results obtained using the specified SKC models of sampling head are
understood to be affected.

3. If my site’s monitoring results are currently compliant does this advice mean that workers have been
exposed to higher dust levels than those reported?
a. No – based on SKC’s advice, reported results were likely overestimating actual exposure and therefore a
more conservative estimate of exposure.

4. Does this mean all historical site monitoring data is invalid?
a. It is unclear how long these particular samplers have been non-conformant, further investigation by the
manufacturer is required. At this time QMI does not intend to require monitoring data to be recalculated or
invalidated.

5. Does dust monitoring need to continue while the issue is being resolved?
a. Yes – Dust exposure monitoring requirements in regulations, Queensland Guideline 02 and Recognised
Standard 14 continue to apply.

If you would like to discuss the content of this safety alert please contact:
Coal enquiries – Fritz Djukic 0407 675 522 Fritz.Djukic@dnrme.qld.gov.au
Mineral mines and quarries enquiries – Greg Manthey 0419 772 669 Greg.Manthey@dnrme.qld.gov.au

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