No abstract

Exposure to whole-body vibration (1-80 Hz) manifest in higher incidences of low back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders among the workforce in mining industry. The aim of the study was to determine the vibration intensity of twelve mining equipments which are regularly deployed in an underground mine and to evaluate the long term health risk of their operators as per ISO 2631-1:1997 guidelines. It was observed that the low profile dump trucks (LPDT) and load haul dumpers (LHD) had x axis (front-back) as dominant axis of vibration. The operators of LPDTs and LHDs had moderate health risk considering frequency weighted root mean square (r.m.s.) acceleration values of vibration (0.46 – 1.01 m/s2) and corresponding daily exposure of about 6 hours in a shift. Operators of three equipments i.e. water sprinkler, utility vehicle and backfill material carrier had high health risk with z (vertical) as dominant axis of vibration. RMS acceleration values were comparatively high (1.30- 1.96 m/s2) even though their duration of exposure was less (2.5-5.0 hours). Motor grader operator had minimal health risk from vibration exposure while rest two operators of explosive and personnel carrier had moderate health risk. Additional assessment of health risk was carried out using total vibration dose values wherever applicable. High health risks were attributed to fast and harsh driving, poor seat condition and absence of independent seat suspension. Besides technical and operational modifications, training programs should be organised to improve the awareness of this hazard among miners in India.

Mining in general has become essential industry sector for the sustaining growth of any developing country. In India iron ore mining is mainly mechanised and well developed industry sector, using highly mechanised equipments and technology for excavation and processing of mined iron ore. It is due to this reason iron ore mining seen as a one of the major sector responsible for workplace occupational health hazard particularly for noise related health impacts on workers health. The objective of this study was to ascertain the job specific noise exposure among the Similar Exposure Groups (SEGs). Total 133 personal noise dosimeter samples were collected from different job category and working areas of iron ore mining and processing sector. It was observed that the participated workers in the crushing area were exposed to 81.64 dB (A), Heavy Earth Moving Machineries (HEMM) operators 86.10 dB (A), loading plant workers 83.76 dB (A), screening plant workers 87.62 dB (A) and mines operation and workshop workers 84.92 dB (A). During the study specifically HEMM operators were highly exposed to workplace noise, with 46% samples exceeding warning limit and 18% exceeding danger limit prescribed by Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), Government of India. It was felt necessary to augment the awareness and safety training to the workers for proper implementation of preventive measure for workplace noise exposure.