Strategies for Noise Control: Mining sound management solutions

Strategies for Noise Control.

Sound. Mining sound management solutions.

Strategies for noise control.

Industry noise challenges

The importance of effective noise management for the mining industry cannot be overstated. Noise control has grown in intensity as pressure to meet environmental regulations increases and government bodies like the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) continue to enforce strict requirements and penalties.

The main drivers of these regulations are:

2.

Reducing the hearing and health impacts for workers. Protecting neighbouring communities from the effects of noise exposure.

Health & hearing impacts of noise

The most prolific health consequence caused by noise is hearing loss When an individual is exposed to loud noise for extended periods, the possibility of irreparable hearing damage is inevitable This is referred to as Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) or industrial deafness This type of hearing loss is usually painless and gradual but over time it can result in permanent loss of hearing The health impacts of noise are not limited to hearing loss NIHL symptoms include; distorted or muffled sounds, and difficulties hearing or understanding people Prolonged exposure may result in tinnitus causing a ringing sensation in the ear Noise can and does significantly affect both physical and mental health in a number of other ways including increased heart rate, profound nervousness, anxiety, sweating, difficulty sleeping, irritability, increased stress and lack of concentration

One report has conservatively estimated that if just 20% of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) in the U S were prevented, the economic benefit would exceed $123 billion per year Furthermore, another report on MSHA violations reported that U S mines paid over $2,739,667 USD in penalties for noise violations between the years 2000 and 2014 The reality is too many miners are still experiencing permanent noise-induced hearing loss as a result of their work Under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 workers who frequently use PPE for hearing protection must be provided with audiometric testing within 3 months of commencing work and at least every two years following

Why it matters for your mine site.

Safety regulations

Safe Work Australia has indicated that noise-induced hearing loss is a ‘priority disorder for national action under the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012-2022' due to the acute consequences and large number of workers affected Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations, implemented Australia-wide with the exclusion of Victoria and Western Australia, set out the requirements for noise control in the workplace Noise levels must not exceed 85dB for prolonged periods (up to eight hours)

Further noise regulations are enforced by government bodies like state Environment Protection Authorities who issue environment protection licenses to industrial premises under legislation such as the Protection of the Environment Act 1997 (POEO Act)

Length of time for noise exposure before standards are exceeded (Safe Work Australia)

8hours 6hours 4hours 2hours 0hours

85dBA 88dBA 91dBA 94dBA 97dBA 100dBA 103dBA 106dBA 109dBA 112dBA

Environmental and community regulations

As environmental and community awareness increases scrutiny surrounding industry noise, government noise regulations tighten in response Inadequate and non-compliant noise management will result in fines and higher expenditures for mining companies Fines, compensation payouts, machine replacements and strict limitations to production schedules can be expected for mine sites that do not take action to comply with the noise regulations that in turn protect worker hearing and neighbouring communities

In 2020, one Hunter Valley coal mine was fined $15,000 per breach for allegedly exceeding noise limits by only three decibels

Another coal mine, located southwest of Narrabri, was also fined $15,000 per breach by the EPA following a fourdecibel breach of its daytime noise limit

Intense community pressure to reduce noise resulted in the New Acland mine site having their operation restricted to just 9 hours each day, costing them millions in production time until effective noise attenuation was implemented

Reportedly 1 in 8 compensation claims made to Coal Mines Insurance is for industrial deafness

An estimated 90% of miners have developed a hearing impairment by the age of 50

The mining industry has the highest incidence rate of noise-induced hearing loss

Compliance with noise regulations is essential for maximising productivity, operating hours and ultimately profits Your mine site could be operational 24/7 if the regulatory noise requirements are met In addition, community relations and company sentiment could see dramatic improvements, benefiting the relationship between the mine site and the community in the long run

How to comply.

There are three main types of engineering noise control that can be utilised to meet regulation and protect worker hearing within industrial workplaces.

Mining Excavator Case Study

1.

Controlling noise propagation

Noise propagation is controlled by blocking the sound waves from travelling This can be achieved using enclosures, barriers, active noise control, reverberation control or reactive/dissipative mufflers

Quality-engineered sound suppression is necessary as poorly designed componentry and solutions can dramatically hinder the performance and life of machinery

Procuring a well-engineered noise solution provides a great return on investment, with lower maintenance costs, increased cooling capacity & faster installation times

2. Controlling

noise at the source

Controlling noise at the source includes the substitution of processes, materials, and equipment to reduce noise This is achieved by sourcing quieter machinery and machinery parts, minimising the number of machines operating at any one time and maintaining machines and equipment to reduce mechanical shock between parts, and therefore reduce noise.

Reducing the number of operating machines can reduce productivity and ultimately ROI.

Modifications to work processes and equipment can be timeconsuming and costly with additional red tape and further assessments required.

Quieter machines and machinery parts may have reduced performance, longevity or power.

3.

Employer noise control

Employer noise control is a supplementary noise control method whereby individual workers wear effective personal protective equipment (PPE). Common types of personal protective equipment (PPE) include disposable or individually moulded earplugs, ear canal caps, semi-inserts and earmuffs.

Employer noise control cannot manage the noise or vibrations that cause community disturbances and regulation breaches. Workers must be trained in the proper use, fit, care and maintenance of PPE.

The Minetek solution.

Minetek can develop a sound management strategy for the life of your mine. A mine control plan that is tailored to your needs and adaptable to changes in operational demands, revised legislation, and increased community scrutiny. Minetek’s innovative strategies will ensure that your mine site is effectively managing sound now and into the future with proactive measures in place. Minetek can reduce your sound levels and increase your operating hours.

We provide a complete suite of essential services to keep our clients compliant.

Sound attenuation Sound testing

Minetek enables the world’s quietest mining equipment and we have a proven track record of attenuation for OEM machinery such as Liebherr, Caterpillar, Komatsu, Hitachi and JCB Minetek’s sound attenuation packages are innovation engineered to ensure quieter operations without sacrificing operational and maintenance ability, machine integrity, airflow or weight requirements

Sound visualiser

Minetek’s innovative sound visualiser identifies the excessive noise sources within your fleet by creating a thermographic representation of sound Mobile and deployed to your site, the sound visualiser produces images within seconds so that the Minetek team can understand, analyse and interpret the sound profile of your site What follows is a comprehensive noise reduction strategy tailored to your site

Minetek's comprehensive sound testing is designed to meet ISO 6393/6395 standard requirements Minetek's testing solutions enable assessment of noise emissions, identify the optimal locations for sound attenuation installations, evaluate the performance of equipment or installations and can demonstrate your mine site's compliance with regulation and community expectations

Fleet noise monitoring

Many sites are obligated by law to conduct mobile fleet noise monitoring up to three times per year Minetek’s advanced fleet noise monitoring meets required testing sensitivity and repeatability standards whilst minimising downtime and disruption Minetek utilise strategically positioned microphones that speed up the monitoring process, provide adaptability and pinpoint a selection of different testing locations

Benefits of Minetek sound solutions

Ease of maintenance access

Compliance with strict government regulations

Reduction of fines

Improved community relations

Extended operating hours

Increased productivity Improved work environments

Proven results.

Case Study - New Acland Mine Site

Minetek provided a full turnkey sound attenuation solution to New Hope Group’s New Acland mine site. Minetek’s solution reduced the overall sound emitted from the site by more than 50%.

The initial project included a detailed analysis of New Acland's entire site This analysis comprehensively included all plant equipment, fixed and mobile machinery and was carried out on weekends and nights to minimise the impact on the site's operations and production

Minetek's solution enabled the site to increase operational time from just 54% to 96% A huge 372,300 additional hours of operation each year enabling the site to extract a further 2 1MT of coal valued at $354 3m each year

Minetek offers onsite sound assessment, consultation, custom engineering, installation, servicing and guaranteed results Designed by aeronautical experts and world-renowned engineers, Minetek delivers reliable, safe and long-term sound solutions Meet regulations, protect miner hearing and aid community relations with a Minetek sound solution Book a oneon-one call with our expert team to discuss your next mining project

1. Environment Protection Authority (NSW)https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/news/media-releases/2021/epamedia210428-night-noise-limit-breach-results-in-$15000-fine-for-hunter-valley-coal-mine

2. Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Unionhttps://commoncause.cfmeu.org.au/2021/07/28/worried-about-your-hearing-you-may-have-a-claim/

3. National Library of Medicinehttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5848488/

4. Safe Work Australiahttps://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/resource-library/hazardous-manual-tasks/hearing-personal-protective-equipment-ppe-the-facts

5. NSW Governmenthttps://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2017-0404

6 - Environment Protection Authority (NSW)https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/news/media-releases/2020/epamedia200309-narrabri-coal-fined-$15000-for-excessive-noise

7 - Parliament of Australia https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/Health_Aged_Care_and_Sport/HearingHealth/Report_1/

8 - Environment Protection Authority (NSW)https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/licensing-and-regulation/licensing/environment-protection-licences