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Please read this before using presentation

This presentation provides an overview of noise legislation, basic rules for working with noise, typical noise levels, employee hearing loss, steps to control noise at work, and the use of hearing protectors. It also discusses simple noise control techniques and the importance of engaging employees in the process. Resources Safety provides supporting resources such as brochures and posters. Contact ResourcesSafety@docep.wa.gov.au for more information.

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  1. Please read this before using presentation • This presentation is based on content presented at the 2007 Mines Safety Roadshow held in October 2007 • It is made available for non-commercial use (eg toolbox meetings) subject to the condition that the PowerPoint file is not altered without permission from Resources Safety • Supporting resources, such as brochures and posters, are available from Resources Safety • For resources, information or clarification, please contact: ResourcesSafety@docep.wa.gov.au or visit www.docep.wa.gov.au/ResourcesSafety

  2. Toolbox presentation: Occupation noise in the WA mining industry October 2007

  3. Noise legislation • Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 — Section 9 • Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 — Part 7 Division 1 • Approved Procedures — Regulations 7.6 and 7.10

  4. Background • Apply to over 300 mines operating in WA • Cover more than 56,500 miners • Majority of miners work 12-hour shifts • Over 74% of miners are overexposed to noise

  5. Basic rules of working with noise • The noise levels are described in decibels (dB) • They can not be added or subtracted in the usual arithmetic way because the dB scale is logarithmic • Two identical tools emitting noise of 90 dB(A) produce the combined noise level of 93 dB(A), not 180 dB(A)

  6. Basic rules of working with noise cont. • A 3 dB(A) increase corresponds to a doubling of sound energy • A 10 dB(A) increase corresponds to a 10 times increase of the sound energy • A 20 dB(A) increase corresponds to a 100 times increase of the sound energy

  7. Typical noise levels at operator’s ear level

  8. Standard for occupational noise • For noise exposure — 85 dB(A) for 8 hours • For peak noise level — 140 dB(lin)

  9. Average noise exposure in WA mining industry

  10. Employee hearing loss by occupation group Percentage of employees with hearing loss >5% • Surface mining 19.2% • Metal trades 18.6% • Processing plants 16.0% • Underground mining 15.5% • Management 14.4% • Electrical trades 10.6%

  11. Relationship between noise exposureand hearing loss Hearing loss between 5 and 9%

  12. Employee hearing loss Average threshold shifts

  13. Steps aiming to control noise at work • Assess risks to develop a noise control plan • Reduce risks for all employees • Investigate and implement good practice for control of noise • Prioritise noise control measures • Use hearing protection for residual risks • Carry out a noise dosimetry program to check the effectiveness of noise control measures

  14. Some simple noise control techniques • Application of damping material to chutes, hoppers, machine guards etc., can give a 5-25 dB reduction in the noise radiated • Cabin internal noise can be reduced by 10-12 dB by applying damping pads and sound barrier mats to floor and engine bulkhead • Reduce fan speed by 30% to achieve a noise reduction of 8 dB

  15. Noise control can be complex Engage employees in process Use noise control consultants to help solve your problems if complex

  16. Hearing protectors • Selected for protection, user preference and work activity • Guard against over-protection — isolation can lead to under-use and safety risks • Require information, instruction, training, supervision and motivation • Will only protect if worn all the time and properly

  17. Rating hearing protectors The sound level conversion (SLC80 )rating of a hearing protector, ear plugs or headset is a simple number and class rating that is derived from a test procedure as outlined in the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1270:2002

  18. Class and specification of hearing protectors

  19. Ear plugs Properly fitted Wrongly fitted

  20. Ear muffs Proper clamping force Worn-out head band

  21. Reduction in protection provided by hearing protectors with decreased wearing time Example: Effectiveness of wearing an ear muff with a rating of 30 dB for an exposure time of one hour

  22. Our challenge Away from … • Noise assessment as the end point • Reliance on hearing protection Towards … • Control of noise risks through prioritised action plans • Introducing equipment with good noise and vibration characteristics – ‘Buy Quiet’

  23. Use this guideline as a reference on recommended ways to control noise in mines

  24. Noise posters available online or as hardcopies (contact Resources Safety)

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