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The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)





NOW HEAR THIS!
Keywords: Hearing loss Noise Noise and vibration control Use of personal protective equipment
Take action to protect your hearing
Illustration of a worker operating a bulldozer but with the cab door open, with a red X in the corner of the image used to represent this activity as a poor practice in relation to hearing protection while operating equipment.
Use Available Noise Controls
Remain inside cabs or other enclosures with the windows and doors closed
Replace noise controls (e.g., curtains, seals) after equipment maintenance or inspection as needed
Illustration of a worker operating a bulldozer with the cab door closed, with a green check mark in the corner of the image used to represent this activity as a good practice in relation to hearing protection while operating equipment.Illustration of ore on a moving conveyor belt and with the conveyor belt roller making noise and requiring lubrication, with a red X in the corner of the image used to represent this maintenance need as a poor practice in relation to protecting worker hearing.
Maintain Equipment
Ensure correct machine lubrication, belt and bolt tension, and motor performance
Replace broken, worn out, and misused parts that contribute to equipment noise
Illustration of ore on a stopped conveyor belt with a roller being lubricated, with a green check mark in the corner of the image used to represent this activity as a good maintenance practice that will help protect worker hearing.Illustration of two workers standing near a loud crusher and straining to hear each other talking, with a red X in the corner of the image used to represent this as a poor practice in relation to communication around noise.
Move Away from Loud Areas
Avoid circumstances where communication is affected by noise
Take scheduled breaks and lunch breaks in quiet areas
Illustration of two workers standing in an open area and communicating comfortably, with a green check mark in the corner of the image used to represent this activity as a good practice in relation to communicating on a job site away from noise.Illustration of a worker standing near to a piece of equipment and wincing uncomfortably due to a lack of hearing protection, with a red X in the corner of the image used to represent this as a poor practice.
Use Hearing Protection
Use hearing protection consistently when working in noise
Ensure protection is correctly worn with other safety equipment and is comfortable for extended wear
Illustration of a worker standing near to a piece of equipment and smiling comfortably while wearing hearing protection, with a green check mark in the corner of the image used to represent this as a good practice.DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2020-112DOI: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/works/coversheet2139.html
See Also
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
Engineering Noise Controls for Haul Trucks and Load Haul Dumps (LHDs)
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
Page last reviewed: April 23, 2020
Page last updated: February 19, 2020
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
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