Uranium Mining Safety Equipment and Solutions

Occupational Radiation Dose Limits in the U.S.

Under 10 CFR Part 20, Subpart C, the National Regulatory Commission (NRC) limits annual occupational exposure for adult workers to:

• Total effective dose equivalent (TEDE): 5 rem/year (50 mSv/year)
• Lens of the eye equivalent: 15 rem (150 mSv)
• Skin and extremities shallow-dose equivalent: 50 rem (500 mSv)

Modern protective equipment, especially PPE, real-time dosimetry, ventilation systems, and training, ensure that radiation exposure remains well within strict NRC limits.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Uranium Mining

In uranium mining, PPE is a critical safeguard. Essential pieces of protective clothing include gloves, safety boots, and hard hats. Carroll Technologies supplies solutions manufactured by Protective Industrial Products (PIP), which offers an extensive range of eye, foot, hand and head protection.

When it comes to hard hats, Carroll Technologies has sought out the best that the mining industry has to offer, including the following equipment from leading manufacturers:

• MPS Centurion Vision hard hat
• MPS Centurion Spectrum hard hat
• MSA hard hat
• NLT hard hat
• 475369-B V-Guard Hard Hat
• 475336 Comfo Cap Hard Hat

Respiratory Protection in Uranium Mines

Carroll Technologies provides a number of self-contained breathing apparatus that are suitable for uranium mining, including the W65 Self-Rescuer Respirator from MSA. Encased inside a rugged stainless-steel case, the lightweight W65 features a positive hermetic seal and offers an in-service life of ten years.

Furthermore, the Ocenco M-20.3 is a belt-worn, closed-circuit self-contained self-rescuer (SCSR) designed to provide emergency respiratory protection in environments where breathable air may become suddenly compromised. It offers up to 20 minutes of oxygen supply and is automatically activated when the user dons the mouthpiece and nose clip, allowing for hands-free escape.

Ventilation Systems for Uranium Mining

Adequate ventilation systems are crucial to maintain a safe atmosphere and prevent the inhalation of radioactive dust. Properly designed ventilation systems help to control dust and maintain air quality, ensuring miners breathe clean air while on-site.

Carroll Technologies supplies a range of high-quality products, such as ventilation tubing from Bluefield Manufacturing, which makes a comprehensive portfolio of brattice ventilation curtains.

Fall Protection Equipment

When working at height or in elevated areas, safety harnesses, lanyards and anchorage systems are required to prevent workers from slipping and falling. Fall protection equipment available through Carroll Technologies includes:

• MSA retractable lanyards
• MSA vest-style harnesses
• MSA full-body harnesses
• MSA lanyard restraints
• MSA trauma prevention
• MSA lanyards with hooks
• Honeywell Miller AirCore harnesses
• Honeywell personal fall limiter

Lighting Equipment

Sufficient lighting should be provided in work areas to ensure visibility and prevent accidents. Carroll Technologies supplies both fixed and portable lighting solutions from the most reliable manufacturers on the market.

Northern Light Technologies’ (NLT) Polaris lamp is the most used cordless cap lamp in mines across the globe. Carroll Technologies not only supplies these cap lights, but also acts as a service center for NLT products and stocks repair parts. Other portable lighting solutions include the Illumagear Halo, which provides 360° visibility for a quarter of a mile and is compatible with any standard hard hat. This cordless cap light provides powerful floodlighting and spotlights while enabling freedom of movement.

X-Glo’s innovative LED Strip Lighting offers permanent and temporary lighting for miners. While conventional lighting requires separate power and a wired connection for each lamp, x-Glo’s product plugs into an existing power source.

Communications Equipment

Carroll Technologies can assess mining sites to ascertain what equipment is required to maintain effective communications, providing fully customized radio communication networks.

Icom has been manufacturing rugged two-way radio products across the world for more than 50 years and can meet any communications needs, from underground lithium mining to large buildings/

Carroll Technologies also supplies an extensive range of mining phones and leaky feeder systems through Pyott-Boone Electronics (PBE). PBE’s Leaky Feeder System can be customized for specific site requirements to ensure optimal radio coverage and data communications, and its two-way radios offer complete communications coverage at any lithium mining site.