Concurrent 21. Oral Presentation for: Proppant powder – the protection and the pain – lurking hazards of silicosis

Abstract

Presented on Wednesday 17 May: Session 21

Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) is the independent regulator for safety and health in Queensland’s resources sector. The Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate (the Inspectorate) administers safety and health regulation for the petroleum and gas industry. RSHQ uses a risk-based and data-driven approach to pursue its vision of zero serious harm for resource sector workers. In Queensland, on average, there are 200 fraccing operations conducted annually on oil and gas wells. For each fraccing operation, up to 450 tonnes of proppant may be used with an estimated 16 340–23 800 tonnes pumped annually. The majority of proppant used in Queensland is refined sand and is a potential source of exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) during these operations. In 2020 safe exposure levels for RCS was halved from 0.1 to 0.05 mg/m³. Exposure to levels above this threshold may increase the risk of adverse health outcomes, such as respiratory diseases including silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer. These diseases are progressive, and typically can take at least 10 years of prolonged exposure to develop symptoms. All silica dust-related diseases are preventable through using effective controls. This paper outlines a study on RCS exposure levels in hydraulic fracturing operations in Queensland. The objective of the study was to understand the adequacy of the current controls in place to protect workers against exposure to RCS following the reduction of the safe exposure levels.

To access the Oral Presentation click the link on the right. To read the full paper click here