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Mining Publication: Heavy Construction Equipment Noise Study Using Dosimetry and Time-Motion Studies
Keywords: Dosimeters Exposure limits Mining, tunneling, and excavating machinery Noise Sound level 
 Time motion studies
This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated.
Original creation date: October 2005
Authors: ER Spencer
Conference Paper - October 2005
Download PDF Document (0.06 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20029016
NOISE-CON 2005: Proceedings of the 2007 National Conference on Noise Control Engineering, Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 17-19, 2005. Ames, IA: Institute of Noise Control Engineering of the USA, 2005; :1-8
Noise induced hearing loss continues to afflict workers in many occupational settings despite longstanding recognition of the problems and well-known methods of prevention and regulations. Sound levels associated with heavy construction equipment range from 80 to 120 dB(A) and power tools commonly used in construction produce sound levels up to 115 dB(A). The focus of this research was to determine the noise exposures of heavy construction equipment operators while documenting the workers' tasks, (i.e. hauling, moving, and/or pushing construction material). Time-motion studies were performed at the construction sites and were used to correlate the noise dosage with the work performed by equipment operators. The cumulative dose for the operator was then plotted with references to work tasks, to identify the tasks that caused the greatest noise exposure. Three construction sites were studied for this research located in the western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio areas. The types of construction equipment studied included asphalt pavers, backhoes, bulldozers, compaction equipment, excavators, haul trucks, telehandlers, and wheeled loaders. The results showed that bulldozer operators consistently had the highest noise exposures, ranging from a NIOSH REL (Recommended Exposure Limit) dose of 844% to 25,836% and an OSHA PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) dose of 139% to 1,397%.
Image of publication Heavy Construction Equipment Noise Study Using Dosimetry and Time-Motion StudiesConference Paper - October 2005
Download PDF Document (0.06 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20029016
NOISE-CON 2005: Proceedings of the 2007 National Conference on Noise Control Engineering, Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 17-19, 2005. Ames, IA: Institute of Noise Control Engineering of the USA, 2005; :1-8
See Also
Analysis of a Mechanism Suspension to Reduce Noise from Horizontal Vibrating Screens
Determination of Sound Exposures (DOSES): Software Manual and Implementation Guide
Heavy Construction Equipment Noise Study Using Dosimetry and Time-Motion Studies
Noise Assessment of Stone/Aggregate Mines: Six Case Studies
Results of Noise Measurements from Underground Testing of a Roof Bolting Machine Duty Cycle
Snapshot of Noise and Worker Exposures in Sand and Gravel Operations
Sound Restoration Hearing Protection: Genesis of a Standard Test Method
Technology News 536 - NIOSH Develops New Software to Analyze and Reduce Noise Exposure
Water Well Safety Bits: Health And Safety Information For The Water Well Industry
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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