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Mine Type: All Surface Category:   Noise, Dust
Mine Safety and Health Administration
MSHA's Occupational Illness and Injury Prevention Program
Miner's Tips

"Common Sense Maintenance
of Surface Mobile Equipment"

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Exposure to high sound levels over long periods of time can lead to occupational noise induced hearing loss. The ideas presented below are aimed at assisting mine operators in reducing noise levels on mobile surface equipment found in all types of mining.

Common Sense Maintenance Common Sense Maintenance


Surface mobile equipment such as bulldozers, front-end loaders, and haulage trucks can generate high noise levels, particularly the older models. A fully treated operator's cab goes a long way to protect the operator from high noise levels, as well as dust and temperature extremes. However, to remain effective, some common sense maintenance needs to be implemented to maintain these controls. The following tips are applicable to all surface mining situations, both coal and metal/nonmetal.
  • Maintain good seals around windows and doors.

  • Replace any cracked glass in doors and windows.

  • Maintain a good exhaust system.

  • Clean and maintain the air conditioner on a regular basis.

  • After any maintenance work inside the cab, re-install the acoustical materials, or replace any acoustical material that has degraded.

  • If acoustical materials need replacing, always use materials with low flame spread indices.


Issued: 06/16/2003
Tag # AP2002-H008


If you have a tip you would like to pass on, you can e-mail it to MinersTips@msha.gov.
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