After summer, the National Institute of Silicosis (INS) will publish a guide to promote knowledge about the impact of silica emissions, how to control and minimize them and compliance with legal regulations. This initiative is the result of the contributions of professionals, businessmen and technical experts related to the extraction activities sector. During the Technical Seminar of Emissions of Respirable Crystalline Silica and Exposure to Diesel Fumes, representatives of the Guild of Aggregates of Catalonia, the Official College of Technical Mining Engineers of Catalonia and the Balearic Islands and Ciment Català discuss health risks in mining operations, providing the respective points of view in relation to current actions and regulations, which will serve for the drafting of said guide.
The Conference, held on June 29 at the Foment del Treball Auditorium, opened with the presentation of the Epidemiological Study on Mining Exploitations in Catalonia, prepared by the National Institute of Silicosis (INS), which also reported on the latest developments on dust and respirable crystalline silica in the mining environment, and the risk of exposure to diesel fumes. Subsequently, representatives of the convening organizations, the Generalitat and the INS participated in a round table discussion on the application of emissions regulations.
At the closing of the Conference, a tribute was paid to Manuel García Prieto (head of the Security section of Mining Concessions of the Government of Catalonia) on the occasion of his retirement. The Aggregates Guild gave him a pin of honor. From Ciment Català he was presented with the reproduction of a marine reef made of concrete with a personalized dedication.