Quarry operations can generate significant airborne particulate from haul roads, loading and stockpiles. Uncontrolled dust affects visibility, community relations and worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS). Control starts with road design and material handling, supported by measured suppression and monitoring.

Haul road fundamentals

• Surface and grading: Maintain a compacted surface with correct fines content to bind the top layer. Regularly blade to remove ruts and prevent potholes.
• Moisture control: Use water bowsers on timed routes; adjust frequency to weather and traffic. Consider additives where water scarcity or rapid evaporation reduces effectiveness.
• Speed and routing: Enforce speed limits and one-way systems to reduce braking and acceleration dust. Keep turning radii generous.
• Wheel washes and exit control: Install wheel washes and track-out controls to prevent dust migration to public roads.

Stockpiles and loading

• Siting: Place piles away from boundaries and align with prevailing winds. Use berms or windbreaks to lower wind speed at surface.
• Drop heights: Minimise drop distances when loading or stacking. Use telescopic chutes or loading socks where practicable.
• Surface stabilisation: Apply crusting agents during dry periods and avoid over-working the surface.

Plant and transfer points

• Enclose and cover conveyors. Maintain skirts and seals to limit fugitive dust.
• Fit fogging or misting nozzles at crushers and transfer points; orient nozzles to intercept the plume without soaking material.
• Keep enclosures slightly negative with LEV where feasible to avoid escape into work areas.

Monitoring, exposure and cabins

• Use fixed or mobile dust monitors to trend PM10 and inform bowser scheduling and operational triggers.
• For RCS, the HSE WEL is 0.1 mg/m³ (8-hr TWA). Use exposure data to prioritise controls at high-risk tasks.
• Keep operator cabs sealed and pressurised with filtered air. Maintain door seals and change filters per schedule.

Practical takeaways

• Design and maintain haul roads; moisture and speed control do most of the work.
• Minimise drop heights and shield stockpiles from wind.
• Enclose and mist transfer points; maintain skirts and seals.
• Trend PM10 with monitors and set weather-based triggers.
• Protect operators with clean, pressurised cabs and disciplined door use.

By combining good road engineering, targeted suppression and simple monitoring, quarry sites can cut dust, improve visibility and protect workers and neighbours.