Pneumoconiosis Field Research: Summary report on environmental conditions at Oakdale Colliery 1974-1980

This report summarises the results of the environmental measurements made at Oakdale Colliery for the Pneumoconiosis Field Research from July 1974 to June 1980.A brief description is given of the colliery and the results of the environmental sampling. Dust concentrations are tabulated and discussed in relation to the mining activities.Both respirable and total dust concentrations are given for all occupational groups and where there was no direct sampling, estimates have been obtained by comparison with similar groups and conditions.The composition of the respirable dust for the various general environments is also discussed.Over this period Oakdale Colliery had a coalface (all shifts) mean respirable dust concentration of 2.8 mg/m3, with an ash content of 26 per cent and quartz content of 3 per cent.