❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses concerns about dust from the Fimiston Open Pit (Superpit) affecting nearby residents, focusing on its toxicity, management, and the roles of the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Minerals and Energy.
AnsweredQoN 385Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to question on notice No. 133 of Tuesday, July 31 2001 and the answers provided -
(1) Can the Minister explain why the dust is regarded as nuisance dust?
(2) If not, why not?
(3) Can the Minister state why the dust supposedly has low toxicity for management purposes?
(4) If not, why not?
(5) Can the Minister state and table what information the Minister or the Department of Environmental Protection has to verify that the dust, which affects nearby residents and businesses, is of low toxicity?
(6) If not, why not?
(7) Can the Minister explain why the Department of Minerals and Energy has not identified the dust as a safety and occupational health issue?
(8) If not, why not?
(9) Can the Minister explain why the dust has been dealt with as an amenity issue?
(10) If not, why not?
(11) Has the Department of Minerals and Energy advised the Minister or the Department of Environmental Protection that it does not regard the dust as a safety and occupational health issue?
(12) If so, can the Minister table a copy of that advice?
(1) Can the Minister explain why the dust is regarded as nuisance dust?
(2) If not, why not?
(3) Can the Minister state why the dust supposedly has low toxicity for management purposes?
(4) If not, why not?
(5) Can the Minister state and table what information the Minister or the Department of Environmental Protection has to verify that the dust, which affects nearby residents and businesses, is of low toxicity?
(6) If not, why not?
(7) Can the Minister explain why the Department of Minerals and Energy has not identified the dust as a safety and occupational health issue?
(8) If not, why not?
(9) Can the Minister explain why the dust has been dealt with as an amenity issue?
(10) If not, why not?
(11) Has the Department of Minerals and Energy advised the Minister or the Department of Environmental Protection that it does not regard the dust as a safety and occupational health issue?
(12) If so, can the Minister table a copy of that advice?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
13 March 2002
Responded by
Minister for Housing and Works representing the Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Response time
84 days
(2) N/A. (3) KCGM undertake quarterly monitoring of employees' exposure to dust in the Fimiston Open Pit and Mill. The components of the dust are analysed and the concentration is compared with health criteria set by the National Health and Medical Research Council. The critical component for human health is silica/quartz and the health exposure standard for silica quartz dust is 0.2 mg/m3. Monitoring results for the period 1999-2001 indicate that most levels are below 0.01 mg/m3 and the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources has reported that neither the silica nor respirable dust levels on the mine site are therefore of health concern. Other mineral and organic components of the dust have been measured at levels that are below health criteria and the level of respirable dust is also an order of magnitude lower than the Time Weight Limit. Therefore, the dust emanating from the superpit is considered to have a low toxicity to humans. (4) N/A. (5) I now table a list of the concentrations of the dust components. (6) N/A. (7) Verbal advice has been received from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources, Occupational Hygiene section, which states that there is no concern either on-site or off-site with either silica or respirable dust levels. (8) N/A. (9) The Department of Environmental Protection manages nuisance dust as an amenity issue unless the levels exceed health criteria, in which case the dust is managed as an occupational health issue by the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources. (10) N/A. (11) Answered by (7). (12) The Department of Environmental Protection has sought written advice from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources that it does not regard the dust as a safety and occupational health issue and is awaiting a response.
(3) KCGM undertake quarterly monitoring of employees' exposure to dust in the Fimiston Open Pit and Mill. The components of the dust are analysed and the concentration is compared with health criteria set by the National Health and Medical Research Council. The critical component for human health is silica/quartz and the health exposure standard for silica quartz dust is 0.2 mg/m3. Monitoring results for the period 1999-2001 indicate that most levels are below 0.01 mg/m3 and the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources has reported that neither the silica nor respirable dust levels on the mine site are therefore of health concern. Other mineral and organic components of the dust have been measured at levels that are below health criteria and the level of respirable dust is also an order of magnitude lower than the Time Weight Limit. Therefore, the dust emanating from the superpit is considered to have a low toxicity to humans. (4) N/A. (5) I now table a list of the concentrations of the dust components. (6) N/A. (7) Verbal advice has been received from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources, Occupational Hygiene section, which states that there is no concern either on-site or off-site with either silica or respirable dust levels. (8) N/A. (9) The Department of Environmental Protection manages nuisance dust as an amenity issue unless the levels exceed health criteria, in which case the dust is managed as an occupational health issue by the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources. (10) N/A. (11) Answered by (7). (12) The Department of Environmental Protection has sought written advice from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources that it does not regard the dust as a safety and occupational health issue and is awaiting a response.
(4) N/A. (5) I now table a list of the concentrations of the dust components. (6) N/A. (7) Verbal advice has been received from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources, Occupational Hygiene section, which states that there is no concern either on-site or off-site with either silica or respirable dust levels. (8) N/A. (9) The Department of Environmental Protection manages nuisance dust as an amenity issue unless the levels exceed health criteria, in which case the dust is managed as an occupational health issue by the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources. (10) N/A. (11) Answered by (7). (12) The Department of Environmental Protection has sought written advice from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources that it does not regard the dust as a safety and occupational health issue and is awaiting a response.
(5) I now table a list of the concentrations of the dust components. (6) N/A. (7) Verbal advice has been received from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources, Occupational Hygiene section, which states that there is no concern either on-site or off-site with either silica or respirable dust levels. (8) N/A. (9) The Department of Environmental Protection manages nuisance dust as an amenity issue unless the levels exceed health criteria, in which case the dust is managed as an occupational health issue by the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources. (10) N/A. (11) Answered by (7). (12) The Department of Environmental Protection has sought written advice from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources that it does not regard the dust as a safety and occupational health issue and is awaiting a response.
(6) N/A. (7) Verbal advice has been received from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources, Occupational Hygiene section, which states that there is no concern either on-site or off-site with either silica or respirable dust levels. (8) N/A. (9) The Department of Environmental Protection manages nuisance dust as an amenity issue unless the levels exceed health criteria, in which case the dust is managed as an occupational health issue by the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources. (10) N/A. (11) Answered by (7). (12) The Department of Environmental Protection has sought written advice from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources that it does not regard the dust as a safety and occupational health issue and is awaiting a response.
(7) Verbal advice has been received from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources, Occupational Hygiene section, which states that there is no concern either on-site or off-site with either silica or respirable dust levels. (8) N/A. (9) The Department of Environmental Protection manages nuisance dust as an amenity issue unless the levels exceed health criteria, in which case the dust is managed as an occupational health issue by the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources. (10) N/A. (11) Answered by (7). (12) The Department of Environmental Protection has sought written advice from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources that it does not regard the dust as a safety and occupational health issue and is awaiting a response.
(8) N/A. (9) The Department of Environmental Protection manages nuisance dust as an amenity issue unless the levels exceed health criteria, in which case the dust is managed as an occupational health issue by the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources. (10) N/A. (11) Answered by (7). (12) The Department of Environmental Protection has sought written advice from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources that it does not regard the dust as a safety and occupational health issue and is awaiting a response.
(9) The Department of Environmental Protection manages nuisance dust as an amenity issue unless the levels exceed health criteria, in which case the dust is managed as an occupational health issue by the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources. (10) N/A. (11) Answered by (7). (12) The Department of Environmental Protection has sought written advice from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources that it does not regard the dust as a safety and occupational health issue and is awaiting a response.
(10) N/A. (11) Answered by (7). (12) The Department of Environmental Protection has sought written advice from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources that it does not regard the dust as a safety and occupational health issue and is awaiting a response.
(11) Answered by (7). (12) The Department of Environmental Protection has sought written advice from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources that it does not regard the dust as a safety and occupational health issue and is awaiting a response.
(12) The Department of Environmental Protection has sought written advice from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources that it does not regard the dust as a safety and occupational health issue and is awaiting a response.
(3) KCGM undertake quarterly monitoring of employees' exposure to dust in the Fimiston Open Pit and Mill. The components of the dust are analysed and the concentration is compared with health criteria set by the National Health and Medical Research Council. The critical component for human health is silica/quartz and the health exposure standard for silica quartz dust is 0.2 mg/m3. Monitoring results for the period 1999-2001 indicate that most levels are below 0.01 mg/m3 and the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources has reported that neither the silica nor respirable dust levels on the mine site are therefore of health concern. Other mineral and organic components of the dust have been measured at levels that are below health criteria and the level of respirable dust is also an order of magnitude lower than the Time Weight Limit. Therefore, the dust emanating from the superpit is considered to have a low toxicity to humans. (4) N/A. (5) I now table a list of the concentrations of the dust components. (6) N/A. (7) Verbal advice has been received from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources, Occupational Hygiene section, which states that there is no concern either on-site or off-site with either silica or respirable dust levels. (8) N/A. (9) The Department of Environmental Protection manages nuisance dust as an amenity issue unless the levels exceed health criteria, in which case the dust is managed as an occupational health issue by the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources. (10) N/A. (11) Answered by (7). (12) The Department of Environmental Protection has sought written advice from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources that it does not regard the dust as a safety and occupational health issue and is awaiting a response.
(4) N/A. (5) I now table a list of the concentrations of the dust components. (6) N/A. (7) Verbal advice has been received from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources, Occupational Hygiene section, which states that there is no concern either on-site or off-site with either silica or respirable dust levels. (8) N/A. (9) The Department of Environmental Protection manages nuisance dust as an amenity issue unless the levels exceed health criteria, in which case the dust is managed as an occupational health issue by the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources. (10) N/A. (11) Answered by (7). (12) The Department of Environmental Protection has sought written advice from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources that it does not regard the dust as a safety and occupational health issue and is awaiting a response.
(5) I now table a list of the concentrations of the dust components. (6) N/A. (7) Verbal advice has been received from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources, Occupational Hygiene section, which states that there is no concern either on-site or off-site with either silica or respirable dust levels. (8) N/A. (9) The Department of Environmental Protection manages nuisance dust as an amenity issue unless the levels exceed health criteria, in which case the dust is managed as an occupational health issue by the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources. (10) N/A. (11) Answered by (7). (12) The Department of Environmental Protection has sought written advice from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources that it does not regard the dust as a safety and occupational health issue and is awaiting a response.
(6) N/A. (7) Verbal advice has been received from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources, Occupational Hygiene section, which states that there is no concern either on-site or off-site with either silica or respirable dust levels. (8) N/A. (9) The Department of Environmental Protection manages nuisance dust as an amenity issue unless the levels exceed health criteria, in which case the dust is managed as an occupational health issue by the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources. (10) N/A. (11) Answered by (7). (12) The Department of Environmental Protection has sought written advice from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources that it does not regard the dust as a safety and occupational health issue and is awaiting a response.
(7) Verbal advice has been received from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources, Occupational Hygiene section, which states that there is no concern either on-site or off-site with either silica or respirable dust levels. (8) N/A. (9) The Department of Environmental Protection manages nuisance dust as an amenity issue unless the levels exceed health criteria, in which case the dust is managed as an occupational health issue by the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources. (10) N/A. (11) Answered by (7). (12) The Department of Environmental Protection has sought written advice from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources that it does not regard the dust as a safety and occupational health issue and is awaiting a response.
(8) N/A. (9) The Department of Environmental Protection manages nuisance dust as an amenity issue unless the levels exceed health criteria, in which case the dust is managed as an occupational health issue by the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources. (10) N/A. (11) Answered by (7). (12) The Department of Environmental Protection has sought written advice from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources that it does not regard the dust as a safety and occupational health issue and is awaiting a response.
(9) The Department of Environmental Protection manages nuisance dust as an amenity issue unless the levels exceed health criteria, in which case the dust is managed as an occupational health issue by the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources. (10) N/A. (11) Answered by (7). (12) The Department of Environmental Protection has sought written advice from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources that it does not regard the dust as a safety and occupational health issue and is awaiting a response.
(10) N/A. (11) Answered by (7). (12) The Department of Environmental Protection has sought written advice from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources that it does not regard the dust as a safety and occupational health issue and is awaiting a response.
(11) Answered by (7). (12) The Department of Environmental Protection has sought written advice from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources that it does not regard the dust as a safety and occupational health issue and is awaiting a response.
(12) The Department of Environmental Protection has sought written advice from the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources that it does not regard the dust as a safety and occupational health issue and is awaiting a response.
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