What you don't hear matters. Hearing loss can best be prevented by installing and maintaining effective engineering controls. Don't let poor equipment maintenance and/or the lack of engineering controls lead to the need for ear plugs, ear muffs, and eventually, hearing aids.
Best Practices:
- Ensure noise levels in operator cabs are acceptable before purchasing equipment. Noise reduction is better if built in rather than added later.
- Upgrade older equipment with new technology and materials if necessary and feasible. The use of noise reducing floor mats, additional flame retardant insulation, special glass, and other methods can significantly reduce noise.
- Frequently inspect cabs for adequate window and door seals. Identify and control excessive vibration as well as engine, transmission, hydraulic and other sources of noise.
- Replace or relocate mufflers and exhaust pipes to best reduce the cab noise.
- Maintain air conditioning systems to allow operation of equipment without the need for opening windows and doors.
- Conduct noise monitoring to ensure noise levels have not increased.
- Train operators to identify and report changes that adversely effect cab noise levels.
- Inform drivers of the potential hazards associated with radios being played too loudly.
Developed in cooperation with:
Lee Creek Mine, PCS Phosphate Co., Inc., Beaufort County, North Carolina (Team Leader)
North Quarry, Vulcan Construction Materials, L.P., Forsyth County, North Carolina
Surry Mine & Mill, Ararat Rock Products Company, Surry County, North Carolina
Wade Mine, American Materials Company, LLC, Cumberland County, North Carolina
North Carolina State Grants Office, Raleigh, North Carolina
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