Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Area Noise Assessment at Surface Stone, Sand, and Gravel Mines: Application for Reducing Worker Noise Exposure

  • Published:
Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Repeated noise exposure and occupational hearing loss are common health problems across industries and especially within the mining industry. Large mechanized processes, blasting, grinding, drilling, and work that is often in close quarters put many miners at an increased risk of noise overexposure. In stone, sand, and gravel mining, noise is generated from a variety of sources, depending on the type of ore being mined as well as the final consumer product provided by that mine. Depending on the source of noise generation, different strategies to reduce and avoid that noise should be implemented. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has evaluated the noise profile at three operational surface stone, sand, and gravel mines. A-weighted sound level meter data as well as phase array beamforming data were collected throughout the mines in areas with high noise exposure or high personnel foot or vehicle traffic. Sound level meter data collected on a grid pattern was used to develop sound profiles of the working areas. These sound contour maps as well as phase array beamforming plots were provided to the mines as well as guidance to modify work areas or personnel traffic to reduce noise exposure.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
€32.70 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price includes VAT (Finland)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20
Fig. 21
Fig. 22
Fig. 23
Fig. 24
Fig. 25
Fig. 26
Fig. 27
Fig. 28
Fig. 29
Fig. 30
Fig. 31

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. NIOSH (2016) Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/. Accessed 12 Dec 2016

  2. Tak S, Calvert G (2008) Hearing difficulty attributable to employment by industry and occupation: an analysis of the National Health Interview Survey--United States, 1997 to 2003. J Occup Environ Med 50:46–56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Tak S, Davis R, Calvert G (2009) Exposure to hazardous workplace noise and use of hearing protection devices among us workers-NHANES, 1999-2004. Am J Ind Med 52(5):358–371. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.20690

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Masterson E et al (2013) Prevalence of hearing loss in the United States by industry. Am J Ind Med 56(6):670–681. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22082

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Masterson E, Deddens JA, Themann CL, Bertke S, Calvert GM (2015) Trends in worker hearing loss by industry sector, 1981-2010. Am J Ind Med 58(4):392–401. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22429

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Roberts B, Sun K, Neitzel R (2017) What can 35 years and over 700,000measurements tell us about noise exposure in the mining industry? Int J Audiol 56(suppl 1):4–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2016.1255358

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Sun K, Azman AS (2018) Evaluating hearing loss risks in the mining industry through MSHA citations. J Occup Environ Hyg 15(3):246–262

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Mueller TJ (ed) (2002) Beamforming in acoustic testing. In: Aeroacoustic Measurements Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg

  9. Ravetta PA, (2005) LORE approach for phased Array measurements and noise control of landing gears. Dissertation, Virginia Tech, etd-12072005-113549

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. NIOSH, 626 Cochrans Mill Road, Pittsburgh, PA, 15226, USA

    Amanda S. Azman, Hugo E. Camargo & Brian Kim

Authors
  1. Amanda S. Azman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hugo E. Camargo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Brian Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Amanda S. Azman.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Disclaimer

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mention of company names or products does not constitute endorsement by NIOSH.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Azman, A.S., Camargo, H.E. & Kim, B. Area Noise Assessment at Surface Stone, Sand, and Gravel Mines: Application for Reducing Worker Noise Exposure. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 39, 467–483 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-020-00198-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-020-00198-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation