Reducing Noise Exposure in Mining Operations with Noise Curtains

This article will discuss the importance of noise reducing curtains in the mining industry; specifically, it will highlight the noise-focused dangers of mining equipment and other operations, as well as the value noise cancelling curtains bring to mining and other industries. 

Active Noise Control and Employee Health 

To begin our discussion, it is important to ask: What exactly is noise control, and why is it so important to employee health and productivity? 

“Noise” specifically refers to any unwanted or undesirable sound, alarm, signal, or other interference that might disrupt communication or degrade the quality of information. Prolonged exposure to noise, especially when it is over 85 decibels, can be incredibly harmful in a variety of ways. 

Some of the negative impacts of excessive noise in the workplace can include: 

1. Hearing Loss: Approximately 25% of all American workers are exposed to excessive noise, and over half of them report not wearing proper equipment to protect their hearing. Hearing loss and damage is very common. 
2. Stress: Excessive, repetitive noise can cause high levels of stress in employees, making it harder for them to do their work and take care of their mental health. 
3. Cognitive Ability: Trying to concentrate and remain focused on your work becomes difficult with excessive noise. It can also have an impact on your cognitive processing and create fatigue. 

All of these hazards can occur in mining operations, along with other safety concerns that must be addressed. Implementing noise control can help reduce or negate these hazards, improving the safety of your employees. 

Standard Mining Safety Operations

So, what are some of the standard mining safety requirements? Beyond just the use of noise cancelling curtains to contribute to noise control, here are some essential mining safety protocols to keep in mind: 

1. Wear respiratory protection to protect against exposure to dust and debris. 
2. Enforce a fall prevention program to help reduce the risk of falls from great heights. 
3. Maintain the worksite to prevent uneven ground, which can cause rollovers and other damage.
4. Communicate hazards as they change in order to ensure proper safety protocols, especially with the constantly changing backdrop of any mining operation.

Using noise reducing curtains in mining is an excellent way to manage noise and improve safety at any stage of operation. 

Noise Pollution In Mining

Where does noise pollution come from in mining operations? Miners work in locations that have a lot of equipment that creates very high noise levels. Some of these machines and vehicles include extraction tools like drills and stage loaders, pneumatic and percussion tools, grinders and crushers, and more. 

Eighty-five decibels (dB) marks the threshold over which sound becomes dangerous. Estimates show that 80% of US miners work in environments where the noise level exceeds 85 dB and that 25% of US workers work in environments that exceed 90 dB. Active noise control is essential to bringing these levels down and keeping your workers safe. 

How Soundproofing Improves Industrial Safety

How do noise cancelling curtains and other forms of sound control help improve industrial safety? Here are just a few ways: 

1. Protect Worker Hearing: Soundproof curtains absorb and stop sound waves from carrying and bouncing through the space. 
2. Improve Communication: With less noise, communication is much easier. 
3. Improve Focus: Cognitive ability is also less impacted when noise is reduced, so focus and concentration are generally improved. 
4. Comply With Regulations: Organizations like OSHA have rules in place for safety; staying in line with these protocols is essential. 

All of these improvements can be a significant help to your mining safety operations, as well as a few other means that we will discuss below. 

Noise Reducing Curtains And Sound Clarity

Mining operations can greatly benefit from sound dampening curtains, which can help create better clarity and reduce echo in the facility. In facilities with wide open spaces, echo can be a serious issue for clarity and communication, especially when noise from machines is bouncing around the space. Curtains can help absorb the sound and prevent it from bouncing and echoing. Additionally, sound clarity can be improved through the creation of enclosures or barriers that can help prevent sound from traveling through space and instead stop it in its tracks. 

Hearing Protection In Mining Operations

In addition to noise cancelling curtains, noise control in mining safety operations is vastly improved by the proper use of personal hearing protection equipment. Specifically, molded earplugs and headsets can be a game changer for hearing protection for all of your employees. 

Molded earplugs are custom-made to fit each individual worker. They are made to fit snugly within the ear canal and block noise in the most optimized way. Headsets with noise-cancelling technology add an extra layer of hearing protection by reducing ambient noise. Headsets can also improve communication by offering a means of hands-free radio communication. 

Additional Noise Control Systems

Mining operations can benefit from a variety of active noise control systems, not just industrial curtains. Here are just a few other noise control systems that you might find useful in mining or in any other industry: 

1. Acoustic Screens: Flexible and versatile, acoustic screens can isolate and absorb noise to protect your workers.
2. Ceiling Baffles: Typically used in conjunction with other sound control solutions, ceiling baffles reduce noise in large spaces and absorb sound waves. 
3. Acoustic Foams: Foams are great for mid-to-high sound absorption and can be used to line machinery, walls, and more. 
4. Fiberglass Panels: These panels are excellent for sound absorption and noise-cancelling capabilities for use around machinery, walls, and doors. 

Noise Reduction with Singer Safety

Mining operations can be hubs for severe noise hazards, which can lead to devastating cases of tinnitus and hearing loss. Excessive noise can also lead to distraction and cognitive issues in workers. These problems can cause further danger in the workplace, like miscommunication or improper machine handling. Noise cancelling curtains can be a great way to prevent these noise-related injuries or hazards. At Singer Safety, we are dedicated to providing the best in noise control systems and more. Contact our team today to start creating your own safety protocols.