Engineering noise control for mines: Lessons from the world

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this article was to present some of the engineering noise control methods that are currently being used across the world in the mining industry, while at the same time interrogating noise control measures that could be applied to effectively reduce noise emissions from the equipment utilised within South African mines. BACKGROUND: A brief summary of the hearing conservation programmes used in South Africa is presented. Summarised research on the use of engineering noise control in South Africa is also presented, with an overview of the various engineering noise control methods applied across the world in dealing with occupational noise. METHOD: For illustrative purposes, case studies were used to show how engineering noise controls could be used to reduce the noise levels and risks within this context. RESULTS: Some of the case studies used have cited a reduction in the noise intensity emitted by machinery from a range of 93 dBA - 104 dBA to a range of 90 dBA - 94 dBA, demonstrating quite a significant reduction in the noise emission of the equipment. This article further provides recommendations on how South African mines could contextualise these methods. CONCLUSION: One of the key recommendations is encouraging the South African mining industry towards the documenting and publishing of those engineering noise control methodologies that have proven to be effective for shared best practice. A need was identified for extensive research to be conducted and documented evidence to be made available to assist the South African mining industry with locating and assessing current engineering controls available in South Africa. Machines and processes that require noise control should be identified and, lastly, the current barriers to the use of engineering noise control methodologies should be identified, with the main goals of finding ways to overcome the noise challenges in the mines.