Investigation of noise exposure levels for mechanized coal mine workers in Turkey

The one of the most important problems concerning health and safety in mining is to prolonged exposure to high levels of noise. The important noise sources in coal mines are cutting machines, locomotives, haulage trucks, loaders, long-wall shearers, chain conveyors, continuous miners, loader-dumpers, fans and pneumatic percussion tools. There has been little published research activity related to noise levels in underground mines in Turkey. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occupational noise exposure of mine workers in Middle Anatolia Lignite Enterprise in Turkey. It is employed 1159 mine workers. Noise measurements were carried out in surface and underground workplaces with the RION NL - 31 integrating sound level meter. After determination of exposure duration for each of the noise level, the daily noise exposure level of workers were calculated based on the method described in the standart ISO 1999: 1990. The results showed that the task and tool with the highest exposure levels are operators of long-wall shearer, drilling, roadheader, chain conveyor and monorail for underground workers and turner, electrician and carpenter for surface workers.