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Mining Publication: Reducing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Longwall Coal Mine Workers: NIOSH's Approach
Keywords: Hearing loss Longwall mining Mining workforce Monitoring Stage loaders
This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated.
Original creation date: June 2007
Authors: ER Bauer, ER Spencer, AK Smith, RL Hudak
Conference Paper - June 2007
Download PDF Document (0.47 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20032602
Proceedings of Longwall USA, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 5-7, 2007. Prairieville, LA: Coal Age, 2007 Jun; :1-14
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is conducting research with the objective of preventing hearing loss in the mining industry. Longwall mining is one sector that has received considerable attention. Studies involving the monitoring of worker noise exposures, characterizing equipment sound levels and dominant noise sources, evaluating engineering noise controls, analyzing hearing protection device (HPD) effectiveness, and testing of improved sound level monitoring techniques specifically for longwall mining systems, are being conducted. The research efforts revealed that stageloader operators are the most exposed longwall workers, with the discharge end being the noisiest location along the stageloader. In addition, the studies have shown that using stationary dosimeters, coupled with observational data of the cutting cycle and worker habits, has the potential for improved monitoring of the effectiveness of engineering noise controls. To address the ineffective use of soft foam earplugs, a simplified 3-step method was developed for inserting soft foam earplugs. Results indicate a 9 dB greater attenuation after training subjects on the 3-step method. Finally, muff type HPDs are being evaluated for effects of speech intelligibility in noise. The combined results of these studies illustrates that much can and has been done to prevent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in the mining industry, especially with respect to longwall mining workers. This paper presents an overview of ongoing studies, a progress report of results, and the implications for reducing worker noise exposures and preventing NIHL in longwall mining workers.
Image of publication Reducing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Longwall Coal Mine Workers: NIOSH's ApproachConference Paper - June 2007
Download PDF Document (0.47 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20032602
Proceedings of Longwall USA, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 5-7, 2007. Prairieville, LA: Coal Age, 2007 Jun; :1-14
See Also
Application of a Microphone Phased Array to Identify Noise Sources on a Roof Bolting Machine
Degasification System Selection for U.S. Longwall Mines Using an Expert Classification System
Engineering Noise Controls for Longwall Mining Systems
International Noise Awareness Day
Modeling and Prediction of Ventilation Methane Emissions of U.S. Longwall Mines Using Supervised Artificial Neural Networks
Noise Exposure in Longwall Mining and Engineering Controls Research
Real-Time DPM Ambient Monitoring in Underground Mines
Stress Measurements for Safety Decisions in Longwall Coal
Summary of Longwall and Continuous Miner Section Noise Studies in Underground Coal Mines
What Does a Hearing Loss Sound Like?
Page last reviewed: September 21, 2012
Page last updated: September 21, 2012
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
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