Mining Publication: Survey of Noise in Coal Preparation Plants
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Original creation date: January 2007
In response to the continuing problem of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) among mine workers, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has conducted numerous noise surveys in coal preparation plants. The research, consisting of worker dose monitoring, task observations, and equipment noise profiling, was completed in eight separate preparation plants. Worker dose monitoring was conducted for three shifts in most cases. Workers experiencing higher than allowable doses were task-observed for one full shift to correlate dose to noise source(s). Finally, noise levels on all floors, and in lunch rooms and control rooms, were characterized. Results indicate that only workers who routinely spend a significant portion of their shift in the plants (away from the control rooms) are susceptible to overexposure from noise. Certain pieces of equipment (screens, centrifuges, sieve bends) are the loudest primary noise sources responsible for the worker noise exposures.
Authors: JS Vipperman, ER Bauer, DR Babich
See Also
- Administrative Controls for Reducing Worker Noise Exposures
- Analysis of a Mechanism Suspension to Reduce Noise from Horizontal Vibrating Screens
- Cross-Sectional Survey of Noise Exposure in the Mining Industry
- Noise and Vibration Reduction of a Vibrating Screen
- Noise Assessment of Stone/Aggregate Mines: Six Case Studies
- Noise Controls for Vibrating Screen Mechanisms
- Pillar Stability Issues Based on a Survey of Pillar Performance in Underground Limestone Mines
- Structural Vibration as a Noise Source on Vibrating Screens
- Technology News 536 - NIOSH Develops New Software to Analyze and Reduce Noise Exposure
- What Does a Hearing Loss Sound Like?
- Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program