Objective
The objectives of this project are to assess the effectiveness of monitoring noise exposure from a knowledge of noise zones and the noise characteristics of the machines within them, work patterns and hearing protection worn.
The results of this study indicate that the noise zoning system, used in UK underground mines is capable of limiting the noise exposure of individual workers to below the 90dB(A) Second Action Level, as required by EC Directive 86/188/EC and the UK's Noise at Work Regulations 1989.
Previous studies have shown that it is impractical to monitor noise exposure of underground workers using noise dosimetry or calculation. Both methods yield non-repeatable results. A system of control and monitoring by means of establishing noise zones within which the wearing of hearing protection would be mandatory has been proposed to overcome the problems.
The study will concentrate on underground working in coal mines though some limited sampling will be done in non-coal mines to verify that the techniques can be applied there also. The various tasks will be divided into groups eg:
a) Coal face production team - machine driver(s), power support operators, and Deputy;
b) Bore/fire - drillers, loading machine operator, shortfirer/Deputy, material workers;
c) Heading machine - driver, team members, Deputy, material workers;
d) Face end workers - rippers (where applicable), face conveyor operators, methane drainage drillers, overmen/face undermanagers, ancilliary workers;
e) Transport workers - locomotive drivers, guards, material handlers, free-steer vehicle drivers, rope haulage drivers;
f) Smaller teams and individuals - roadway repair, conveyor attendants, pit bottom attendants, belt patrol, maintenance fitter, maintenance electrician junior management officials.
Each member of the team being studied will be fitted with a logging noise dosemeter which will be used to determine his noise dose and noise exposure pattern for a number of full shifts. If insufficient logging noise dosemeters are available conventional single reading dosemeters will be used as well. The work and movements of the team members will be observed and logged using an electronic note pad. In particular the time spent in or travelling through the various noise zones will be recorded together with the octave band sound pressure level of the principal machines in each noise zone. The make and model of the hearing protection worn by each team member will be recorded and published data on its attenuation used to calculate the effective noise exposure of the workers in each zone. Production information for the pit area during the shift will also be noted. The data will be used to estimate noise exposure from information on work patterns and production achieved. This will be compared with the measured noise dose to determine the effectiveness of monitoring noise exposure from a knowledge of noise zones and work patterns.
The bulk of the measurements will be carried out by British Coal Corporation (BCC) under contract to the Research and Laboratory Services Division (RLSD) of HSE. The Noise and Vibration Section of RLSD will take an active part in the project, monitor the work of BCC and be responsible for the final data analyses and report.
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Programme(s)
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Coordinator
SK17 9JN Buxton
United Kingdom
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