Mining Publication: A Dual Sprocket Chain as a Noise Control for a Continuous Mining Machine
Original creation date: September 2009
Over-exposure to noise remains a widespread, serious health hazard in the U.S. mining industry despite 25 years of regulation. Most other categories of illnesses and injuries associated with mining have improved, with the exception of hearing loss. In order to reduce cases of Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) in the mining industry, retrofit acoustic treatments and controls are being developed to subdue noise at the source. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) coal noise sample data collected from 2000 to 2005 has determined that continuous mining machines rank first among all mining equipment whose operators exceed 100% noise dosage. The continuous mining machine conveyor, used to move coal from the cutting face to the rear of the machine, has been identified as a dominant noise source. A dual sprocket conveyor chain was tested as a potential solution. Sound power level measurements conducted at the Pittsburgh Research Laboratory (PRL) accredited reverberation chamber showed a 3 dB reduction in the A-weighted sound power level when the dual sprocket chain was implemented. Underground results show an 8-hour TimeWeightedAverage (TWA8 hrs) reduction a 3 dB for continuous mining machine operators. Utilizing this newly developed noise control, along with previously proven controls, provides continuous mining machine operators an opportunity to be within the MSHA-Permissible Exposure Limit (MSHA-PEL).
Authors: AK Smith, PG Kovalchik, LA Alcorn, RJ Matetic
Peer Reviewed Journal Article - September 2009
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20036103
Noise Control Eng J 2009 Sep; 57(5):413-419
Conference Paper - October 2007
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20032794
NOISE-CON 2007, Reno, Nevada, October 22-24, 2007. Burroughs C; Hambric S; Conlon S; Maling G, eds., Ames, IA: Institute of Noise Control Engineering of the USA, 2007; :1-9
See Also
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- Cross-Sectional Survey of Noise Exposure in the Mining Industry
- Determining Underground Roof Bolting Machine Operators Noise Exposure Using Laboratory Results
- Mining Haul Truck Cab Noise: An Evaluation of Three Acoustical Environments
- Modified Tail Section Reduces Noise on a Continuous Mining Machine
- Noise Exposure in Longwall Mining and Engineering Controls Research
- Noise Source Identification on a Continuous Mining Machine
- 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: 8/7/2017
- Page last updated: 8/7/2017
- Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program