Mining Project: Noise Controls for Jumbo Drills Used in Metal/Nonmetal Mines
Principal Investigator |
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Start Date | 10/1/2013 |
Objective | To develop durable noise controls that reduce the noise exposure of jumbo drill operators and facilitate the commercialization of the controls to make them available for all miners. |
Topic Area | |
Research Summary
Jumbo drill operators are exposed to some of the highest noise levels in metal/nonmetal mining. In the worst cases, they can experience noise levels in excess of 105 dB(A). In such instances they are overexposed to noise in less than 60 minutes and are highly likely to incur permanent hearing loss.
To help address this problem, this project has three research aims, as follows:
- Determine the most significant contributors to the noise generated by jumbo drills during operating conditions.
- Develop durable engineering noise controls for jumbo drills that focus on the most significant noise-generating mechanisms and reduce jumbo drill operator exposures.
- Facilitate the commercialization of the engineering noise controls developed for jumbo drills.
This project seeks to develop noise controls that reduce exposure while not interfering with effective operation of the jumbo drill. Engineering noise controls will be developed to reduce the sound levels generated by jumbo drills. The effectiveness of these controls will be evaluated in a laboratory setting and also in an underground setting to assess the reduction in worker exposure. The goal is to reduce the noise exposure for jumbo drill operators and crew by at least 50 percent.
The jumbo drill drifter and drill string have been confirmed as prominent noise contributors to the sound level at the operator location. Prototype noise controls to address these noise sources are being fabricated and tested under laboratory conditions. Noise controls proven to be effective in the laboratory shall be field evaluated to document their effect on operator noise exposure and for their durability.
The impact of this research will be to reduce the likelihood and magnitude of hearing loss for jumbo drill operators. The amount of reduction will vary with operating conditions, but in many instances the noise controls should reduce the overexposure of the operator.
See Also
- Best Practices for Dust Control in Metal/Nonmetal Mining
- Novel Stopping Designs for Large-Opening Metal/Nonmetal Mines
- Propagation of EM Signals in Underground Metal/Non-Metal Mines
- Relationship Between Elemental Carbon, Total Carbon, and Diesel Particulate Matter in Several Underground Metal/nonmetal Mines
- Risk Profile of Cumulative Trauma Disorders of the Arm and Hand in the U.S. Mining Industry
- Silica Dust Sources in Underground Metal/Nonmetal Mines - Two Case Studies
- Technology News 491 - NIOSH Releases Two New Safety Training Videos
- Technology News 501 - Measuring Very Low Air Velocities in Underground Metal/Nonmetal Mines
- Technology News 518 - Super Stopping: A Permanent Solid Stopping for Directing Ventilation Airflows in Large-opening Metal/Nonmetal Mines
- Technology News 519 - EZ-Up Curtain Stoppings: A Practical Solution for Directing Ventilation Airflows in Large-opening Metal/Nonmetal Mines
- Page last reviewed: 5/13/2017
- Page last updated: 5/13/2017
- Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program