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| Partial cab protection for drill operator |
Background
NIOSH researchers are developing engineering noise controls for air rotary surface drill rigs used in the mining and construction industries. Air rotary drills are used to drill vertical holes for such purposes as driving water and environmental monitoring wells, gathering geological information, and drilling blast holes during mining and construction projects. Field investigations of drill rigs and audiogram tests of operators have shown that operators of air rotary drill rigs are overexposed to noise. This research has developed two practical engineering controls and several training tools to help reduce hearing loss among operators of air rotary drills. A secondary aspect of the project is to develop materials to assist the industry with educating and training workers how to prevent hearing loss.
Potential Outcome
The engineering controls developed as a result of this research will help prevent overexposure to noise among drill rig operators operating cab and noncab air rotary drilling equipment. One of the engineering controls, which will reduce sound levels in the operator's cab, can be easily retrofitted onto drill rigs already in production. The other control, which is referred to as "partial-cab," will protect operators on drill rigs having no operator's cab from sound levels over 90 dB(A). It is anticipated that the impact of these engineering controls could reduce an operator's daily noise dosage (time-weighted average for 8 hours) by 112% to 570%.
Six publications are currently being written to target the drilling industry’s safety, educational, and training programs. These publications include formal classroom training materials, informal "tailgate" or "on-the-worksite" noise health and safety information pamphlets, and industry trade journals directed to awareness and prevention of hearing loss. The National Ground Water Association has shown an interest in promoting and distributing research results to its 60,000-person membership. All the knowledge gained from this project will be communicated to the construction and mining industries and research institutions via partnership councils, research journals, industry-centered publications, seminars, and conferences. The affects of this research on the drilling industry began in 2005 with many requests for the published training materials. The effects of the engineering controls are expected to begin in 2006, when test results are finalized and published.