High-pressure inward-facing drum sprays. High-pressure (up to 1,200 psi), inward-facing drum sprays [Jankowski et al. 1989] have been shown to confine the dust generated by the cutting drum to the face area. This spray system seemed to suppress the amount of dust that becomes airborne by improving the moisture distribution efficiency of the drum sprays. The high-pressure, inward-facing drum water spray system consists of high-pressure sprays located in each bit block and oriented toward the coal face. Based on field tests at a longwall operation [Jankowski et al. 1989], high-pressure, inward-facing drum sprays were most effective at reducing dust levels with the sprays oriented at 30° and operated at 800 psi. Dust exposure levels under these conditions were reduced by 39%. Testing has shown that the use of high-pressure, inward-facing drum sprays had some constraints. The most objectionable from an operation standpoint was clogging of the sprays. Rust particles from the drum were a potential source of water contamination, increasing the risk of the sprays clogging. To minimize clogging, the spray system water supply should be filtered. With some refinements and improvements, this system may help keep dust generated by cutting drums confined to the face area.