As with any dust source, air and water are used to dilute, suppress, redirect, or capture dust. Ventilating air to a continuous mining section, whether blowing or exhausting, is the primary means of protecting workers from overexposure to respirable dust. Proper application of water spray systems, ventilation, and mechanical equipment (scrubbers) provides the best overall means of respirable dust control. Maintenance of scrubbers, water sprays, and bits are basic to any effective dust control strategy and must be routinely practiced. Suppression of dust is the most effective means of dust control. Suppression is achieved by the direct application of water, usually at the point of attack, to wet the coal before and as it is broken to prevent dust from becoming airborne. Once dust is airborne, other methods of control must be applied to dilute it, direct it away from workers, or remove it from the work environment. Redirection of dust is achieved by water sprays that move dust-laden air in a direction away from the operator and into the return entry or behind the return curtain. Capture of dust is achieved either by water sprays that impact with the dust in the air to remove it or by mechanical means (e.g., fan-powered dust collectors). Ventilating air dilutes and directs dust away from workers. Either blowing