Coal Dust - Personal Hygiene Procedures

Those working in areas where coal dust can pose a serious threat to their health need to follow proper hygiene procedures.

Workers should wash with soap and water in case the coal dust contacts the skin. Clothing polluted with coal dust needs to be removed soon as possible, and provisions should be made for removal of the chemical from clothing in a safe manner.

People working with the laundry should be kept informed about the hazardous properties of coal dust. Any worker who handles coal dust should carefully wash hands, forearms, and face with soap and water before consuming food and drinks, smoking or using toilet facilities. Same goes for those who wish to apply cosmetics, or take any medication.

For health reasons, coal workers should be restrained from eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics, or taking medication in areas where coal dust is handled, processed, or stored.

Employers should strive to prevent occupational injury and disease through pre-emptive measures. Coal dust containers should be stored away from oxidizing agents in areas where these will not be physically damaged. In case of a spill or a leak, workers who do not wear protective clothing should not be allowed to enter the contaminated area.

JNB Labs provides Fugitive dust control, and offers products and services best suited for this purpose. Coal Seal 140 is a proprietary crusting agent for Fugitive Dust Control.

Coal Dust is Hazardous to Health

In areas where coal dust is a hazard to health, workers should use proper protective clothing and equipment that can prevent skin contact with coal dust. Suitable protective equipment that includes gloves, sleeves, encapsulating suits should be chosen based on the level of exposure to coal dust. Manufacturers’ data should be carefully studied to evaluate the performance of the protective equipment.

Any chemical-resistant clothing that is used should be periodically evaluated to determine its effectiveness in preventing dermal contact. Safety goggles or face shields can be worn during an operation in which coal dust can infect the eyes. For safety, eye wash stations and showers should be located close to operations that involve coal dust.

Coal workers should wear work uniforms and coveralls that can be washed daily. Employers should provide workers with lockers to store work and street clothing separately. Employers should collect work clothing at the end of each work shift and provide for its laundering. Laundry personnel should be knowledgeable about the potential danger of handling contaminated clothing and instructed about procedures to minimize their health risk.

Protective wear should be kept free of oil and grease and should be inspected and maintained regularly to preserve its effectiveness. As a coal dust remedy, JNB Labs offers Coal Seal 140 that can build a crust on the surface of the coal and prevent the coal from making hazardous dust.

Coal Dust Exposure Affect - Coal Seal 140

Coal dust has been rated as a fire hazard and the airborne dust is considered as explosion hazard when exposed to fire or extremely hot temperatures. In case of fires involving coal dust water spray, fog, or regular foam is used to fight large fires. People can get easily exposed to coal dust through inhalation, ingestion, and eye contact.


Coal dust causes pneumoconiosis, bronchitis and emphysema in exposed workers and neighbors. When you inhale unnecessary amounts of coal dust you may get coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Chronic exposure to coal dust may result in symptoms of bronchitis and emphysema. In smokers, the risk will be higher since smoking damages the bronchial tree making it easier for viruses to cause infection. Smoking also slows down the healing process, so it takes longer for you to get well.

Those workers who handle coal inventories are exposed to coal dust. They need to wash their hands, forearms, and face with soap and water before eating, using tobacco products, using toilet facilities, applying cosmetics, or taking medication. Workers should not eat, drink, use tobacco products, apply cosmetics, or take medication in areas where coal dust is produced by coal inventory.

JNB Labs uses Coal Seal 140 a propriety solution to remedy the problem of coal dust by seal coating the coal surface.