SLOPE & SHAFT SINKING TEAM NOISE PROJECT

PROJECT TYPES ShaftsShafts –Conventional Drill, Blast, Muck or Clam-Shell –Drill - Either Raise-Bore or Blind-Drill SlopesSlopes –Conventional Drill, Blast, Muck (Air or Diesel) –Continuous Miner Cut Several different types of shaft/slope sinking methods employed:

PROJECT CONSIDERATIONS Determine where objective noise levels could be evaluatedDetermine where objective noise levels could be evaluated Very few current projects available – Very few current projects available – Short duration of most projects – Logistics for team members – Use of specialized equipment Initial visit and evaluation of projectsInitial visit and evaluation of projects Recommend changes or improvementsRecommend changes or improvements Follow up on recommendationsFollow up on recommendations

PROJECT SITE VISITS Sampled noise levels at different jobsSampled noise levels at different jobs Determined noise exposuresDetermined noise exposures Evaluated noise sourcesEvaluated noise sources Determined if any noise controls were being utilizedDetermined if any noise controls were being utilized Determined their effectivenessDetermined their effectiveness Determined if hearing protection usedDetermined if hearing protection used

PROBLEM AREAS In Slopes/Shafts where air-powered equipment is usedIn Slopes/Shafts where air-powered equipment is used –During drilling, mucking, air-cleaning operations On surface area near stationary equipmentOn surface area near stationary equipment –In vicinity of hoists, compressors and ventilation fan Ambient or background noise in the shafts/slopesAmbient or background noise in the shafts/slopes

RESULTS OF MINE VISITS Air-Powered Equipment Drilling 111 dBA to 124 dBA Mucking 98 dBA to 110 dBA Air cleaning 100 dBA to 110 dBAAir-Powered Equipment Drilling 111 dBA to 124 dBA Mucking 98 dBA to 110 dBA Air cleaning 100 dBA to 110 dBA Surface Installations Hoists 99 dBA to 103 dBA Compressors 84 dBA to 98 dBA Fans 85 dBA to 93 dBASurface Installations Hoists 99 dBA to 103 dBA Compressors 84 dBA to 98 dBA Fans 85 dBA to 93 dBA Ambient Noise in Shafts/Slopes Range87 dBA to 94 dBAAmbient Noise in Shafts/Slopes Range87 dBA to 94 dBA

-Heavy Cumbersome Designs -No noise considerations -111dBA to 124dBA Air-Powered Drills - BEFORE

Air-Powered Drills - NOW - Improved noise level ranges - Jacketed Body - Improved Engineering Designs - Light-weight materials dBA

MUCKERS Poor muffler systems 98DbA TO 110DbA

New Mucker/Loader Designs Alternate Loading Methods Clam-Shell 83 dBA Diesel or Hydraulic Muckers Backhoe modified 101 dBA

Drilling - Recommendations Always use mufflers to reduce internal hammer noiseAlways use mufflers to reduce internal hammer noise Use smallest diameter drill steel neededUse smallest diameter drill steel needed Collar holes before applying full air pressureCollar holes before applying full air pressure Regulate air pressure to manufacturer specificationsRegulate air pressure to manufacturer specifications

Mucking - Recommendations Use equipment mufflers as provided by manufacturerUse equipment mufflers as provided by manufacturer Reduce operating air pressureReduce operating air pressure Monitor and regulate air pressureMonitor and regulate air pressure Keep equipment properly serviced and well lubricatedKeep equipment properly serviced and well lubricated Explore alternative powered muckers (diesel, hydraulic) or methods of loading (Clam-shell)Explore alternative powered muckers (diesel, hydraulic) or methods of loading (Clam-shell)

Surface Installation - Recommendations Use prudent site planning to locate equipment away from work areas and entrances to slopes/shaftsUse prudent site planning to locate equipment away from work areas and entrances to slopes/shafts Provide sound deadening enclosuresProvide sound deadening enclosures Provide noise barriersProvide noise barriers Equip fans with inlet and exhaust silencersEquip fans with inlet and exhaust silencers

Ambient Noise - Recommendations Use prudent site planning to locate equipment away from openingsUse prudent site planning to locate equipment away from openings Use flexible connections to stop fan noise transmissionUse flexible connections to stop fan noise transmission Use insulating hangers or anchors to install fan tubingUse insulating hangers or anchors to install fan tubing Explore different types of fan tubing, sound deadening tubing/fan bladesExplore different types of fan tubing, sound deadening tubing/fan blades

Hoist Installations - Before Noise levels ranged from 99 dBA to 103 dBA

New Hoist Installations Sound deadening in operators cab. Hoist noise < 70.3 dBA

Fan Installations - Improved Silencers and Isolation surround dBA New Fan Designs

Compressor Installations Effective Isolation Barriers Before: dBA After: dBA

Improved Compressor Design Manufacturer’s applied noise reduction technology 83 dBA

Future Plans Continue to monitor shaft/slope sinking projects (both conventional and drilling types)Continue to monitor shaft/slope sinking projects (both conventional and drilling types) Measure effectiveness of new site layout plansMeasure effectiveness of new site layout plans Pursue and encourage new equipment developmentsPursue and encourage new equipment developments Share findings/results with industryShare findings/results with industry

Future Plans Visited shaft sinking site using backhoe adapted mucker design (Feb 7-8)Visited shaft sinking site using backhoe adapted mucker design (Feb 7-8) Test an improved low dBa air-powered drill (March 13-14)Test an improved low dBa air-powered drill (March 13-14) Visit slope sinking project using diesel scoops for mucking operation (projected March)Visit slope sinking project using diesel scoops for mucking operation (projected March) Survey and Review Metal/Non Metal Shaft/Slope sinking sites for different methods/technologies (projected Feb- March)Survey and Review Metal/Non Metal Shaft/Slope sinking sites for different methods/technologies (projected Feb- March)