Researchers at The University of Queensland and mine workers have demonstrated the power of proactive prevention by working together to identify a potential respiratory health risk at the mine, assessing and controlling the risk instead of waiting for diagnosis and media headlines before acting.
Scott Anderson, a diesel fitter and Site Safety and Health Representative at a mine in Queensland, teamed up with researchers from The University of Queensland to better understand the potential health hazards associated with the use of exhaust thermal insulation blankets –commonly known as exhaust lagging. This lagging has been widely used for many years to wrap up manifolds, turbos, exhaust pipes and mufflers of mine machinery with the aim of reducing the risk of fire.
“But exhaust lagging is unpopular with workers: maintenance teams had to wear full-body suits and respirators due to the risk of inhaling fibres or skin exposure; it would also degrade, puff up when exposed to heat, and trap oil, fuel mist and other contaminants over time,” he said.
“Ironically, this increases the risk of fires instead of preventing them.”
To help identify alternatives Anderson approached Sustainable Minerals Institute Research Fellow Dr Nikky LaBranche, an internationally-recognised expert on dust characterisation and respiratory health.
Dr LaBranche said that what had been intended as a protective measure is now recognised as a health, safety and maintenance burden.
“Most of our attention has traditionally been respirable dust like silica and coal, but now we are recognising the role of larger particles in respiratory disease,” she said. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is associated with exposure to these larger particles, is now the fastest-growing mine dust lung disease in Queensland, with 101 new cases reported in the 2023-2024 financial year. Materials like exhaust lagging are designed in these larger particle size ranges, so it’s critical we don’t overlook them.”
During the collaboration, the team agreed a proactive solution: removing exhaust lagging entirely and replacing it with safer alternatives, including ceramic coatings, metal heat shields, fire-resistant surface treatments, and enhanced fire prevention strategies.
“This approach eliminates the risk at the source, reducing airborne particulates, improving worker health, and streamlining maintenance processes” Dr LaBranche said.
Scott Anderson said that he has already been approached by other Site Safety and Health Representatives who have had the same concerns raised to them.
“Now the health effects are known and there are other controls available, I believe the industry will adapt,” he said.
In October 2024, Dr LaBranche received the AusIMM Professional Excellence in Health and Safety Award for her work on preventing dust-related diseases in mining. Just a few months later, in April 2025, she was awarded the Exceptional Woman in Technological Innovation Award for her research into dust characterisation using automated mineralogy to support dust control and disease prevention in the mining industry.
More information about the Dust and Respiratory Health Program: https://smi.uq.edu.au/mishc/research/dust-and-respiratory-health-program
