DEVELOPMENT OF THE NIOSH "DETERMINATION OF SOUND EXPOSURES (DOSES)" MINING NOISE EXPOSURE
 

MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE
 

E. Spencer, NIOSH/PRL, Pittsburgh, PA 

G. Cole, NIOSH/PRL, Pittsburgh, PA 

E. Bauer, NIOSH/PRL, Pittsburgh, PA 

ABSTRACT 

Overexposure to hazardous noise has been found in most mining 

sectors, with up to 100% of the surveyed workforce experiencing a 

noise dose over the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) 

permissible exposure level (PEL). As a result, miners show elevated 

rates of hearing impairment of 70-90% by retirement age. To help 

manage noise exposures, the National Institute for Occupational 

Safety and Health (NIOSH) developed the Determination of Sound 

Exposures (DOSES) software and implementation guide for use by 

mine management and safety personnel. The software relies on a 

time-motion study that profiles the worker’s daily activities. 

Observations about the worker’s location and tasks or other activities 

are recorded along with the start and end time, to determine the 

duration of the tasks, so they can later be matched up with the noise 

data. The software gives the user the option of assessing dose relative 

to the MSHA PEL, the Action Level or the NIOSH Recommended 

Exposure Limit. The software generates a variety of interactive onscreen displays showing where, when, and how the worker’s noise 

dose accumulated. It also can generate customizable printed reports. 

These outputs can be used to highlight the tasks, locations, and times 

that are associated with the greatest amount of the worker’s noise 

exposure. DOSES simplifies the record keeping and analysis 

associated with time-motion studies and worker noise exposures, so 

mine management can make engineering noise control or 

administrative control decisions to limit the noise over-exposure of their 

workers. 

INTRODUCTION 

The Determination of Sound Exposures (DOSES) software (1) 

was developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and 

Health (NIOSH) specifically for use by mine management and safety 

personnel. DOSES simplifies the recordkeeping and analysis 

associated with time-motion studies and worker noise exposures, 

making it easier to identify and solve noise problems. The software 

relies on a time-motion study that profiles the worker’s daily activities. 

At the same time, noise measurements are collected with a dosimeter 

or sound level meter (SLM). Observations about the worker’s location 

and tasks or other activities are recorded along with times and 

durations so they can later be matched up with the noise data. After 

the completion of a time-motion study of the worker’s daily tasks and 

locations associated with possible noise sources and measurement of 

the worker’s noise exposures during the recorded events, the 

information is entered into DOSES. The program then displays 

information about the worker’s accumulated noise dose over time. The 

software gives the user the option of assessing dose relative to the 

NIOSH recommended exposure limit (REL), the Mine Safety and 

Health Administration (MSHA) permissible exposure level (PEL), or the 

MSHA action level (AL). To obtain the NIOSH REL dose the software 

uses a 3-dB exchange rate, an 80-dB threshold level, and an 85-dB 

criterion level (2). To obtain the MSHA PEL dose the software uses a 

5-dB exchange rate, a 90-dB threshold level, and a 90-dB criterion 

level. To obtain the MSHA AL dose the software uses a 5-dB 

exchange rate, an 80-dB threshold level, and a 90-dB criterion level 

[64 Fed. Reg.a 

a Federal Register. See Fed. Reg. in references. 

1 

49548 (1999)]. 

The software generates a variety of interactive on-screen displays 

showing where, when, and how the worker’s noise dose accumulated. 

It also can generate customizable printed reports. These outputs can 

be used to highlight the tasks, locations, and times that are associated 

with the greatest amount of the worker’s noise exposure. Mine safety 

personnel can then use these reports to make decisions about how to 

reduce or eliminate the factors that are creating an overexposure. 

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS 

Table 1. System Requirements. 

To run the DOSES program effectively, the user’s computer 

should meet the following system requirements in Table 1: 

Operating system: Windows 2000/XP/Vista 

Hardware Minimum Recommended 

Processor Pentium 200 Hz or 

equivalent 

Pentium III or greater or 

Celeron 600 MHz or 

equivalent 

Disk space 80 MB 80 MB 

Memory 64 MB of RAM 256 MB of RAM 

Screen resolution 800 × 600 1024 × 768 

COLLECTING TIME-MOTION DATA 

As with any computer program, the utility and outcome of DOSES 

depends greatly on the quality of information entered. Task 

observation, or time-motion study, is the basis for the program’s input 

and must be complete and detailed. Gaps in observations and 

recorded durations will compromise the value of the results because 

they increase the likelihood of missing critical events related to overall 

noise exposure. These inaccurate results could lead to invalid 

comparisons and misguided or ineffective exposure reduction 

attempts. For effective time-motion studies, the following must be 

considered: Whether to perform task observations or location 

observations, what timeframe to record, and whether to conduct full- or 

partial-shift observations (4) (5). 

Task Observations versus Location Observations 

Depending on the classification of the worker being observed, it 

may be better to use one method of observation over another. Most of 

the time it is recommended and logical to use task observations. This 

is done by recording each task a worker performs and the task 

durations. Observing a machine operator, for instance, would logically 

involve task observations because these operators tend to remain with 

their machine, positioned at a relatively fixed location, and perform a 

uniform and repeated series of tasks throughout their shift. For 

example, a continuous miner operator, even operating remotely, would 

stay at a relatively fixed position with respect to the continuous miner 

and complete tasks such as moving (tramming), cutting, loading, 

cutting and loading, waiting on shuttle car, etc. Location observations 
best suit time studies of workers who move about frequently during the 

shift, perform many different tasks, and spend time at many locations. 

Examples include utility workers in underground coal mines or plant 

workers at coal preparation plants. These workers are on the move 

during the entire shift but return to specific locations often during the 

shift. They may repeat similar tasks, but tend to repeat them at the 

same locations throughout the shift. It is recommended that no matter 

which method of observation is used, detailed notes should be taken. 

When task observations are employed, the specific location of those 

tasks should be noted on the data sheets. Conversely, when location 

observations are used, the specific tasks being performed at each 

location must be noted. The end goal is to be able to get an accurate 

picture of each component of the employee’s noise exposure so that 

crucial noise exposures can be managed and the difference in total 

dose (pre- and post-noise control) can be ascertained. 

Timeframe Recorded 

A second important part of the data collection process is 

determining the timeframe for recording each task/location. At a 

minimum, times should be recorded to the minute. Even better is to 

note the time intervals to the second, i.e., in the format hr:min:sec. As 

experience is gained conducting observations for various occupations, 

the precision and detail of both the observations and recording times 

will be easier to determine based on length of each task or time at 

each location. Long-duration tasks/locations likely require a less 

stringent time recording (hr:min), while rapidly occurring tasks or 

changing locations would require a “tighter” recording time 

(hr:min:sec). 

Duration 

The duration of the observations must be considered. Full-shift 

observations take just that—a full shift—to complete, plus the time 

needed to enter the observation data and dosimeter files into DOSES. 

This is a substantial time commitment for the observer. However, fullshift observations are recommended when the sources of a worker’s 

noise exposure are not already well understood. The benefits of a fullshift observation include a complete description of what the worker has 

done during the shift and a full-shift dose measurement that can be 

used for compliance purposes. For certain workers, partial-shift 

observation can still be useful when time does not permit full-shift 

observation. If a worker is known to perform the same tasks, the same 

number of times, and for the same duration each time during a shift, it 

may be possible to ascertain that worker’s exposures with a partialshift observation. Observing several complete cycles of each of the 

tasks performed may be sufficient. 

Data Sheets 

The abbreviated data collection sheet shown in Table 2 (see 

Appendix) is an example of the type of information that should be 

recorded when completing a time-motion study for use in the DOSES 

program. The bold items are Field Titles while the nonbold items would 

be filled in by the observer. DOSES is designed for time-motion study 

data to be entered by start/stop time. The start and stop time of each 

work task and/or location and the related sound level (SL) 

measurement are critical to the final analysis report. It is important to 

keep the start and stop times sequential without any gaps. DOSES 

enforces sequential data collection to assure that no exposure events 

are overlooked. In cases where a gap in data collection is intended, the 

user can enter a filler task with a zero SL if no events that will 

contribute to overall dose are anticipated during the period. Another 

alternative is to end the study at the last observation before the gap 

and start a new study with the next observation. It is also important to 

attempt to list all possible tasks or locations on the data sheets before 

beginning the study and to leave some blank columns for unanticipated 

tasks or locations. The program also requires entries for the date of 

the study, the employee’s MSHA occupation code, and the MSHA 

equipment operated code (6). 

These data are needed to complete the DOSES analysis of the 

worker’s work tasks and/or location contributions to the cumulative 

daily dose and for the mine’s noise control database. 

When using the time-motion study sheet, there is a need to be 

consistent, especially within a specific job classification. First, it is 

important to always label the worker occupations with the same names 

using the MSHA occupation codes (6). Second, it is suggested that 

task and location descriptions also be consistent to allow for 

comparisons between time studies of the same employee and between 

employees with the same occupations. 

Instrumentation 

The instrumentation best suited for conducting exposure and SL 

analyses includes a person-wearable dosimeter for monitoring worker 

noise exposure and an SLM for measuring the SLs for each task or at 

each work location. DOSES can use data from a wide range of 

dosimeters that are used for occupational noise assessment. It allows 

for downloading of dosimetry data from all of the dosimeters commonly 

used at mining, including those that have received MSHA intrinsic 

safety approval for use in underground coal mines. Most dosimeters 

can also be used as long as they provide time-stamped SL data in 

plain ASCII text files. Therefore, companies can choose their own SLM 

or dosimeter for measuring SLs. 

Dosimeter settings for the NIOSH REL, MSHA PEL, and MSHA 

AL are shown in Table 3.

Table 3. Dosimeter Settings. 

NIOSH REL MSHA PEL MSHA AL 

Weighting A A A 

Threshold level 80 dB 90 dB 80 dB 

Exchange rate 3 dB 5 dB 5 dB 

Criterion level 85 dB 90 dB 90 dB 

Response Slow Slow Slow 

Upper limit 140 dB 140 dB 130 dB 

 For most mining applications, the MSHA PEL 

and AL are the dosimeter settings likely to be used, although DOSES 

does not require any particular setting as long as a time and sound 

level are being saved to the dosimeter’s internal memory. DOSES 

calculates the dose relative to three criteria—NIOSH REL, MSHA PEL, 

and AL—from the time and SLs downloaded from the dosimeter. 

USER INSTRUCTIONS 

When the DOSES program is opened it displays the “Start 

DOSES” splash screen that shows three button choices: OPEN Time 

Study, NEW Time Study, and Continue (Figure 1). To open a saved 

file, select the “OPEN Time Study” button. A file browse dialog is 

displayed to allow selection of a previously saved study. 

Figure 1. Start DOSES splash screen. 

To enter a new study, select the “NEW Time Study” button. To 

close this screen, select the “Continue” button, the “Start DOSES” 

screen closes, and the “DOSES Time Study Editor” screen is displayed 

in a disabled mode. From here select “Open”, “New” or “Exit” from the 

File menu, or the “Help” files can be viewed. The other menus will be 

disabled until an existing study is opened or a new study is created. 

Time Study Properties—New Study Screen: Time Study 

The next window is the default screen when “NEW Time Study” is 

selected from the “Start DOSES” screen (Figure 2). The other tabs: 

“Employee”, “Mine”, “Shift”, and “Dosimeter” are selected and the 

information filled in after the Time Study screen is completed. 

2 
Figure 2. Time Study Properties - New Study Screen: Time Study. 

Next Screen: Time Study Properties—New Study Screen: 

Employee 

For the: “Employee” tab (Figure 3), the MSHA Occupation and 

Equipment Operated codes (6) are selected from the lists provided, 

other personnel information can be entered in the text boxes. 

Figure 3. Time Study Properties - New Study Screen: Employee. 

Time Study Properties—New Study Screen: Dosimeter 

If a dosimeter was used to collect data, the information about the 

dosimeter and calibration can be entered by activating the “Dosimeter” 

tab (Figure 4). The dosimeter’s log file location (Drive and folder name) 

is entered in the window under “Log File”. This file has first to be 

exported from the dosimeter’s software into Excel or a similar 

spreadsheet program and formatted to the specifications of one of the 

ten formats in the “Format:” drop down list. Once a format is chosen 

from the list, an hour, minute, second and numeric format example 

appears in the “Example:” window. The chosen format example must 

be a duplicate of the dosimeter’s log file format for the file to download 

into DOSES. After all the information is entered the “OK” button is 

clicked on to move to the “DOSES Time Study Editor” screen to enter 

the time-motion data. 

NOTE: The dosimeter file is not needed to complete the analysis. 

Figure 4. Time Study Properties - New Study Screen: Dosimeter. 

DOSES Time Study Editor Screen 

The “DOSES Time Study Editor” screen (Figure 5), is initially 

disabled when the program starts. However, this screen is enabled 

when an existing “Time Study” is opened or a “New Time Study” is 

successfully started. This screen contains these three areas: 

Observation Editor, Table View and Graph View. At the top of the 

screen four menu options are available: “File”, “Observation”, 

“Analysis” and “Help”. 

Figure 5. DOSES Time Study Editor Screen. 

Observation Editor Area 

This area is initially disabled when the program starts. The screen 

is enabled when an existing Time Study is opened or a new time study 

is successfully started. The “Observation Editor” (Figure 6), contains 

five main areas: 

3 
1. Previous/Next Observation (up/down yellow arrows) 

2. Start time, Stop time, and Duration 

3. Task name and Task location 

4. SL (dB(A)) and Dose (%) 

5. Editing Buttons 

Figure 6. Example of Time Study Editor view. 

Previous/Next Observation 

Pressing the up or down yellow arrows allow for movement 

backward and forward in the list of observations. 

Start/Stop Time and Duration Text Boxes 

Each observation is defined in terms of a “Start time” and “Stop 

time”. The “Start time” is set once, when initializing the first 

observation with the “Set Study Start Time” dialog. From then on, the 

observation “Start time” is automatically set based on the “Stop time” of 

the previous observation. The “Stop time” is set as part of defining a 

new observation. It can be set by entering the exact stop time or by 

entering the “Duration” in hours (H), minutes (M), and seconds (S). 

Regardless of how the “Stop time” is set, the other stop time fields will 

update automatically. 

NOTE:	 Only the “Stop time” of the last observation can be changed. 

If the “Stop time” of an observation within the study needs to 

be changed, all observations following must be deleted and 

reentered. This is to ensure time continuity in the 

observations. 

Time Study Table View 

The “Time Study Table” (Figure 7) is located in the center of the 

“DOSES Time Study Editor” screen. The “Time Study Table” provides 

a tabular view of the observations that were entered into the time 

study. Movement around the “Time Study Table” is possible by clicking 

on a row or scrolling down the table using the mouse or the keyboard. 

The table is updated automatically as observation data are entered. 

The current observation will have a blue border around it and new data 

cannot be entered by clicking on the last row of the table – only by 

using the “Observation Editor”. 

Figure 7. Example of Time Study Table view. 

Task Name and Task Location List Boxes 

The task name and task location are entered for each 

observation. Entry is made by selecting the list box drop-down arrow 

and choosing from the list. A short explanation is displayed inside the 

list box for quick assistance. When starting a new time study with a 

previously unused occupation code, the “Add/Edit...” option is the only 

option available for both “Task name” and “Task location”. After 

selecting “Yes” to the “Do you want to Edit Task List?” dialog, an “Edit 

Item List” dialog appears, allowing for items to be added or removed 

from the list. Once the “Add/Edit” is completed, the new item(s) can be 

selected throughout the time study. The “Task name” and “Task 

location” list boxes are initially empty when creating a study using a 

new employee occupation code. They are populated as the 

observations are entered and automatically saved for future use 

according to the employee occupation code. 

NOTE:	 Removing an item from the list box does not remove it from 

the observations in the time study. Those entries will have to 

be manually reset to a valid list box value. 

Sound Level and Dose 

Each observation contains an SL number that is entered by either 

typing the number in the area provided or by using the numeric 

up/down control and moving to the desired number. The numeric 

up/down control increases or decreases the number by 1 dB(A). The 

dose is calculated by the program after the SL is typed in. 

Time Study Analysis – Summary Tab 

In the Summary section (Figure 8), the entered data are shown in 

two separate tables—one where the breakdown is by “Task,” the other 

where the breakdown is by “Location”. Included for reference beside 

the “Breakdown By Task” table is the “Overall Noise Exposure (%)” 

generated from the time study. The table can be sorted by clicking on 

any of the column headers. Clicking the same column header multiple 

times will toggle the sort between ascending and descending order. It 

is possible to visually chart the information contained in the table by 

clicking the “Draw Chart” button located below the table. The adjacent 

list box provides the option to chart the “# Obs.”, “Total Time”, “% 

Dose”, or “LAVG dB(A) versus the Task Name”. To change the category, 

select from the list box by using the drop-down arrow. 

Figure 8. Example of Summary Section. 

Time Study Analysis - Study vs. Dosimeter Screen 

Using the “Study vs. Dosimeter” tab (Figure 9) displays a plot of 

the time study using one of the pre-selected calculations: NIOSH REL, 

MSHA PEL, or MSHA AL. The purpose is to provide a comparative 

view of the time study data and the dosimeter data. 

Time Study Analysis Dialog – Printing & Export Screen 

The “Printing & Export” tab (Figure 10) has the controls for 

printing reports and exporting the data. There are two report options 

for printing: “Study Report” and “Study vs. Study”. Specific options can 

be chosen for what parts to include in the study report by clicking the 

appropriate checkboxes. After the report option is chosen, left-click the 

“Print” button to access the print dialog. From this dialog, select 

whether to print to a file (HTML) or selected printer and the page 

orientation. 

Export Button 

The data are exported in an ASCII comma-delimited format with a 

default .csv extension which makes it readable by Microsoft Excel and 

other data analysis software (Figure 11). After selecting the export 

4 
option (Figure 10), left-click the “Export” button to access the export file 

dialog to select or choose to destination file. 

Figure 9. Example of Study vs. Dosimeter graph. 

Figure 10. Time Study Analysis - Printing & Export Screen. 

Figure 11. Microsoft Excel spreadsheet example. 

INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS 

The primary outcome of DOSES is an understanding of a 

worker’s noise exposure, what causes that exposure or locations 

where the exposure is occurring. The charts, graphs, and tables 

generated by DOSES are all designed to display this important 

information. Specifically, the outputs summarize a worker’s 

tasks/locations, time at each task/location, and dose accumulated at 

each task/location. This information is initially displayed as a 

compilation by tasks/locations, listed from highest accumulated dose 

task/location to lowest accumulated dose task/location. This 

information can be sorted by task/location, duration, or accumulated 

dose. Mine safety personnel should be looking for the tasks or 

locations that result in the most accumulated dose. Once this 

determination has been made, then the appropriate intervention 

strategies can be selected. Interventions directed at the tasks or 

locations that result in the most dose have the best chance of 

significantly reducing a worker’s noise exposure. 

INTERVENTIONS 

DOSES is especially useful for evaluating the success of 

interventions intended to reduce noise exposure. There are two 

general types of exposure reduction interventions: engineering 

controls or administrative controls. Engineering noise controls attempt 

to reduce the SLs at the source or along the path from the source to 

receiver. The worker is exposed for the same length of time, but since 

the SL is reduced, less noise exposure occurs. Engineering controls 

might include quieter motors, reduced impact noise, sound barriers, 

sound-absorbing material, control rooms, and reduced metal-to-metal 

contact. Administrative controls attempt to remove the worker from the 

noisy area. In this case, the SLs remain the same, but since the worker 

does not spend as much time near the noise, the overall noise 

exposure is reduced. Administrative controls may include minimizing or 

eliminating tasks in high SL areas, remote monitoring, training to allow 

for faster task completion, and job rotation. In most cases, the most 

effective noise reduction is the use of an engineering control that 

reduces the SL. When all feasible engineering controls are 

implemented, administrative noise controls are the next best choice. 

One starting point for identifying specific engineering and 

administrative controls is MSHA Program Information Bulletin No. 

P08–12, “Technologically Achievable, Administratively Achievable, and 

Promising Noise Controls (30 CFR Part 62)” (7). 

Intervention Examples 

Examples of interventions performed by NIOSH can illustrate 

some of the possibilities for noise reduction that could be evaluated 

with DOSES. To conduct these studies, NIOSH used several different 

time-consuming analysis techniques and software packages, a 

process that can be streamlined with DOSES. 

One of the workers in underground coal mining likely to 

experience noise overexposures is the continuous mining machine 

operator. Exposure data collected by NIOSH showed that continuous 

mining machine operators had MSHA PEL doses as high as 347% (8). 

Some of the interventions that have been implemented include coated 

flight bars and coated tail rollers (engineering controls) and remote 

operator positioning and job rotation (administrative controls). 

In another case, plant operators in coal preparation plants had 

MSHA PEL doses as high as 221% (8). The plant operators are the 

workers that routinely travel throughout the plant checking processes, 

cleaning, and performing minor maintenance. They are exposed to 

many different SLs emanating from any number of different pieces of 

processing equipment. Some of the interventions include: control 

booths, urethane screen decking, chute liners, and enclosing noise 

sources such as air compressors and pumps (engineering controls); 

remote monitoring, restricting travel to lowest SL areas, and job 

rotation with control room operators (administrative controls). 

In a talc processing plant the baseline sound level measurements 

ranged from 93 dB(A) to 104 dB(A) (9). The initial engineering noise 

controls consisted of acoustic curtains installed around the fluid energy 

mill fans and a large crusher. Acoustic curtains were then used in front 

of the other crusher and the air classifying mills (ACMs), sound 

absorbing material was inserted under the hood of ACM 2, and 

maintenance and repairs on ACM 3 were completed. The sound levels 

measured after this work was completed (with the 60” roller mill – Off), 

ranged from 88 dB(A) to 94 dB(A), a significant reduction of 10 dB(A) 

from the highest baseline sound level. For the loudest ACM, the noise 

controls consisted of building a larger shroud, lining the inside of the 

shroud with a sound barrier material, and filling the interior of the 

shroud with sound absorbing material. The final control for this study 

5 
was wrapping the duct of a 60” roller mill with a sound barrier material. 

The sound level near the duct work of the 60” roller mill was reduced 

by about 4 dB(A). Using all these noise controls and fixing ACM 3, the 

mill floor’s sound level was reduced to a range of 90 dB(A) to 94 dB(A). 

Finally, in surface coal mining, dragline oilers had MSHA PEL 

measured doses as high as 193% (8). Interventions have included: 

sound barrier curtains around motor-generator sets, quieter motor 

blower fans, and wrapping of ductwork with insulation (engineering 

controls); restricting oiler time in the “house,” remote greasing, and job 

rotation with dragline operator and dozer operator (administrative 

controls). 

Intervention Success 

Judging intervention success is accomplished by conducting time 

studies before a noise control has been implemented, then comparing 

the post-intervention time study with the pre-intervention time study. 

For instance, if an engineering control has been implemented, one 

would look for a dose reduction related to tasks using the modified 

equipments. If an administrative control has been employed as the 

exposure reduction method, one would simply check to see if the time 

spent at that location or task is less and, subsequently, if the result is 

less dose accumulation. DOSES allows these types of analyses to be 

completed rather easily by comparing pre- and post-intervention tables 

or dose graphs. Modeling of noise controls using the pre-intervention 

tables or dose graphs can determine the value of the noise controls 

before they are installed, thereby saving time and money. This is done 

by taking the attenuation of the selected noise control and applying it to 

the SL and using the total duration to determine the post-intervention 

dose. 

SUMMARY 

The NIOSH DOSES software can help streamline the process of 

conducting noise problem analysis and to evaluate noise control and 

administrative control solutions. The software requires very little 

additional equipment and works especially well with a series of task 

observations associated with sound level readings. NIOSH welcomes 

feedback from the DOSES user community via the contact information 

contained in the DOSES help system. For instance, suggestions from 

early users have been incorporated into a new test version that 

facilitates the use of high-resolution dosimeter data. In this dosimeteroptimized version, every data point collected by the dosimeter appears 

on the editing screen. The user can then use a cursor to select groups 

of data points that are associated with a task rather than entering task 

descriptions minute-by-minute. This and other user-suggested 

improvements will be incorporated into future iterations of DOSES that 

will be distributed through the NIOSH website. 

REFERENCES 

1.	 Cole GP, Spencer ER, Bauer ER (2009), “Determination of Sound 

Exposures (DOSES): Software Manual and Implementation 

Guide.”, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public 

Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Pittsburgh, 

PA: DHHS (NIOSH IC) Publication No. 2009-135. 

2.	 NIOSH (1998). “Criteria for a Recommended Standard: 

Occupational Noise Exposure – Revised Criteria 1998”, 

Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for 

Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 

98–126. 

3.	 64 Fed. Reg. 49548 (1999). Mine Safety and Health 

Administration: health standards for occupational noise exposure; 

final rule (30 CFR Parts 56, 57, 62, 70, and 71). 

4.	 Hager LD, (2008), “Sound Exposure Profiling: A Noise Monitoring 

Alternative”, AIHAJ, Vol. 59, 1998. 

5.	 Virji MA, Woskie SR, Waters M, Brueck S, Stancescu D, Gore R, 

Estill C, Prince M. (2009), “Agreement Between Task-Based 

Estimates of the Full-Shift Noise Exposure and the Full-Shift 

Noise Dosimetry”, Annals of Occ Hyg, 2009. 

6.	 MSHA (2001), Information resource center. Part 50: diskette 

user’s handbook. Available at: 

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/data/pdfs/codes.pdf 

7.	 Stricklin KG, Quintana FA, Skiles ME (2008). “Technologically 

Achievable, Administratively Achievable, and Promising Noise 

Controls (30 CFR part 62)”, Arlington, VA: Mine Safety and Health 

Administration, Program Information Bulletin No. P08–12, 

June 18, 2008. Available at: 

http://www.msha.gov/regs/complian/PIB/2008/pib08-12.pdf 

8.	 Bauer ER, Babich DR, Vipperman JS (2006), “Equipment Noise 

and Worker Exposure in the Coal Mining Industry”, Pittsburgh, 

PA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for 

Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for 

Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication 

No. 2007–105, IC 9492. 

9.	 Spencer ER and Reeves ER. (2009), “Assessment of Engineering 

Noise Controls at a Talc Processing Plant”, Mining Engineering, 

April 2009. 

DISCLAIMER 

The findings and conclusions in this report have not been formally 

disseminated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and 

Health and should not be construed to represent any agency 

determination or policy. 

6 
APPENDIX 

Table 2. Example of Time-Motion Study Sheet. 

Data Sheet Observations for: Continuous Miner Operator 

Date: 11/11/2007 Mine: XYZ Section: North 11 Emp. First Name: Sam 

Unique ID: 1234 Manufacturer: Smith Model: XYZ-1 Serial No.: 12345 

Normal Shift: [Y] Shift Production: 2,000 tons Dosimeter Tag: 12345 

Observer: Jane Doe Other Info: Pittsburgh Coal Seam 3.4 m 

Time Start Time Stop 

Task – Location Observations Sound Level 

Mantrip Downtime Measurements Con. Miner Operator at 

Face 

Tramming in 

Crosscut 

06:00:00 06:25:20 X 95 dB(A) 

06:25:20 07:00:45 X 73 dB(A) 

07:00:45 11:00:00 X 97 dB(A) 

- - - ­ - - - ­ - - - ­ - - - ­ - - - ­ - - - ­ - - - ­

15:05:05 15:20:05 X 92 dB(A) 

15:20:05 15:55:10 X 75 dB(A) 

15:55:10 16:20:45 X 97 dB(A) 

7