NIOSHTIC-2 No. 20025832


Assessment of Noise Controls Commonly Used on Jumbo Drills and Bolters in Western United States Underground Metal Mines

January 2005

Publication first page
Document cover page
Click the image to enlarge

The mining industry recognizes the importance of engineering controls as a primary means of preventing hearing loss. The noise-control treatments most commonly observed on drills and bolters during this study were windshields, sound-absorbing material, and hydraulic motor covers. These controls were evaluated on machines at underground metal mines to determine the amount of noise reduction achieved by each control. The results indicate that absorbing material has very little effect on the noise level. The noise reduction attributable to the motor covers was dependent on the material used to create the cover. Properly installed windshields were the most consistent control.

Author(s):Reeves-ER
Reference:Min Eng 57(1), 2005; :41-47

   aoncc (PDF, 1102 KB)


A link above requires the Adobe Acrobat® Reader.
You can download a reader for free from Adobe through our Accessibility/Tools page.
Get Adobe Reader
Page last updated: November 25, 2008
Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Mining Division