Noise in the Mining Work Environment - Causes, Effects and Threats

Abstract

According to the reports, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, millions of employees in Europe are exposed daily to industrial noise and all risks associated with it. About 7% of employees suffer from a hearing problem and noise-induced hearing damage is the most common occupational disease in Europe because it accounts for about one-third of all work-related diseases and is more common than skin and respiratory diseases. The industries with the highest noise emissions in the work environment include heavy industry, mining and construction, although the noise is also increasingly appearing in other sectors of the economy. The research issues discussed in the article introduce the issue of noise in the mining work environment of Polish hard coal mines and identify its causes, effects and threats. The article presents the results of hearing screening tests conducted in 2019 using the Mobile Hearing Diagnosis Center among over 3,000 employees of 37 hard coal mines located in the Slaskie and Malopolskie voivodships and describes the effects of exposure to noise among employees. The article also identifies noise sources and presents the level of their emissions in connection with the operation of machinery and equipment used in Polish hard coal mining. The obtained results of the measurement of the sound intensity of mining machines and devices point to repeatedly exceeding the permissible hygienic standards of Polish and European noise emission. The results of the research presented in the article indicate the urgent need to take action to constantly control the noise level at the workplace and introduce solutions that will enable its reduction and allow better protection of employees against its disastrous consequences. The article is an interesting case study of research conducted in a natural industrial environment that allows you to start a broad discussion on harmful factors in the work environment and look for solutions that increase the level of employee safety during work.