Why miners and quarry workers are at risk

OSHA describes respirable crystalline silica as a cause of silicosis, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and kidney disease, and stone, rock and sand are major sources. The NHS notes that silicosis can continue to progress after exposure ends, and it has no cure. HSE's work-related lung disease guidance emphasises preventing exposure. Noise and vibration damage accumulates over a working life.

01Silicosis and dust lung disease

Drilling, blasting, crushing and cutting rock produce fine dust. Silicosis causes coughing, breathlessness and tiredness, and raises the risk of tuberculosis and lung cancer. Coal dust can cause pneumoconiosis.

What helps

  • Use water sprays, wet drilling and dust extraction at the source.
  • Wear correctly fitted, face-fit-tested respiratory protection where dust remains.
  • Keep cab doors and windows closed and filters maintained on enclosed plant.
  • Attend lung health surveillance, such as chest X-rays and lung function tests, as offered.

02Noise and hearing loss

Drills, crushers, haul trucks and blasting create noise high enough to damage hearing over time. WHO notes that noise-induced hearing loss is permanent but preventable.

What helps

  • Wear hearing protection in all marked areas and around noisy plant.
  • Use enclosed, quieter cabs and keep equipment maintained.
  • Take part in regular hearing tests.
  • Turn down headphones and music outside work too.

03Vibration, heat and heavy plant

Hand-held drills and breakers cause hand-arm vibration; rough haul roads expose drivers to whole-body vibration. Deep or surface mines can be hot. Collisions with heavy vehicles and rock falls cause serious injuries.

What helps

  • Limit and rotate time on vibrating tools; keep hands warm.
  • Maintain haul roads and seats to reduce jolting.
  • Follow traffic management rules and make eye contact with operators.
  • Drink water regularly and take cool-down breaks in heat.

Weekly checklist for miners and quarry workers

  • Check dust controls are running before work starts.
  • Fit-check your respirator every time you put it on.
  • Wear hearing protection in all marked zones.
  • Record time on vibrating tools.
  • Drink water throughout each shift.
  • Do not smoke; smoking compounds dust lung damage.

When to see a professional

  • Persistent cough, breathlessness or tiredness.
  • Ringing in the ears or difficulty following conversations.
  • Tingling, numbness or white fingers.
  • Back pain from vehicle work that persists.

Seek urgent care for sudden severe breathlessness, coughing up blood, or chest pain.

Where ONU fits

ONU brings your sleep, activity and recovery trends together, so you can see how long or rotating shifts affect your rest. ONU does not measure dust, noise or lung function; rely on your site's health surveillance and your doctor.

Try ONU Health today

Common questions

Can silicosis be cured?

No. Treatment can help symptoms, but the damage cannot be reversed and can continue to progress. That is why preventing exposure is so important.

How long does silicosis take to develop?

Usually many years of exposure, but very high exposures can cause it in a much shorter time.

Does smoking make dust lung disease worse?

Yes. Smoking adds damage to the lungs and increases the risk of lung cancer in people exposed to silica.

Sources and further reading

Educational information drawn from the public-health sources listed on this page. It is not a diagnosis, a treatment plan or a guarantee that you will avoid an illness or injury. ONU does not diagnose, treat or prevent disease. Speak to a qualified professional about anything that concerns you, and follow the rules of your employer, sport or local health service.