Mining Publication: Using Software to Predict Occupational Hearing Loss in the Mining Industry
Original creation date: March 2016
Authors: AS Azman, M Li, JK Thompson
Powerful mining systems typically generate high-level noise that can damage the hearing ability of miners. Engineering noise controls are the most desirable and effective control for overexposure to noise. However, the effects of these noise controls on the actual hearing status of workers are not easily measured. A tool that can provide guidance in assigning workers to jobs based on the noise levels to which they will be exposed is highly desirable. Therefore, the Pittsburgh Mining Research Division (PMRD) of the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) developed a tool to estimate in a systematic way the hearing loss due to occupational noise exposure and to evaluate the effectiveness of developed engineering controls. This computer program is based on the ISO 1999 standard and can be used to estimate the loss of hearing ability caused by occupational noise exposures. In this paper, the functionalities of this software are discussed and several case studies related to mining machinery are presented to demonstrate the functionalities of this software.
- Administrative Controls for Reducing Worker Noise Exposures
- Application of Phased Array Technology for Identification of Low Frequency Noise Sources
- Cross-Sectional Survey of Noise Exposure in the Mining Industry
- Determining Underground Roof Bolting Machine Operators Noise Exposure Using Laboratory Results
- Hearing Loss in the Mining Industry: The Evolution of NIOSH and Bureau of Mines Hearing Loss Research
- Noise Control in Underground Metal Mining
- Noise Exposure in Longwall Mining and Engineering Controls Research
- A Technique for Estimating the Sound Power Level Radiated by Pneumatic Rock Drills and the Evaluation of a CSIR Prototype Rock Drill with Engineering Noise Controls
- Underground Evaluation of Coated Flight Bars for a Continuous Mining Machine
- Water Well Safety Bits: Health And Safety Information For The Water Well Industry