Frequency analysis of heavy earth moving machineries in a highly mechanised bauxite mine

Abstract

Noise is generated by almost all mining operations and excessive noise levels are encountered due to the large machinery operating in the mining industry. In this paper, an attempt was made to conduct the frequency analysis of various mining processing activities and notable operations of different heavy machineries of a major bauxite mine of Odisha, India. On the basis of the noise survey, frequency spectrum analysis was conducted for machineries where L_Aeq exceeded 85 dB (A), using real time octave band analyser by measuring the noise levels at various frequencies.The result of the noise survey, indicatedthat the machineriesexceeded the L_Aeqof 85 dB (A) in most of the work places. Nearly 59% of the machineries exceeded the L_Aeqof 90 dB (A) whereas some machineries exceeded 100 dB (A).Findings of frequency analysis indicates that several machineries, were dominated by higher noise levels, in the more sensitive range to hearing range of humans (1 kHz and 4 kHz) and workers working near these machineries are likely to develop noise induced hearing loss (NIHL), frequent decrement of alertness and develop some degree of annoyance if necessary safety precautions are not taken.

Keywords: Noise pollution, frequency analysis, machinery, bauxite mine.