Why it matters
Mechanical vibration and noise above 85 dB can cause:
- Permanent hearing loss
- MSD & vascular disorders
- Higher stress and mental fatigue
- Lower alertness → more accidents
Key sources
| Source | Impact type |
|---|---|
| Jumbo drills | Hand-arm vibration, 95-110 dB noise |
| Primary crushers | Whole-body vibration |
| Haul trucks | Cab vibration + engine noise |
| Vent fans | Tonal noise <1 kHz |
Monitoring & mitigation actions
1. Acoustic & seismic mapping
- Wireless IoT sensors every 50 m
- 24/7 logging → real-time dashboards (≤1 s refresh)
2. Auto-alerts & limits
- Flash alarms >85 dB (LAeq)
- Whole-body vibration ≤0.7 m/s² RMS (ISO 2631-1)
3. Engineering controls
- Anti-vibration mounts on fixed plants
- Sound-proof cabins (≥25 dB insertion loss)
- Reactive-absorptive silencers on fans
4. Next-gen PPE
- Electronic ear defenders with talk-through
- Anti-vibration gloves (EN ISO 10819)
5. Task rotation & active breaks
- Max 2 h straight in >90 dB zones
- Isometric stretches every 60 min
Success KPIs
12 % boost in output via lower auditory fatigue
40 % drop in tinnitus complaints (2022-2024 pilot)
25 % fewer HAVS sick leaves