Key challenges

Noise

As the primary cause of new occupational illnesses reported each year, the elimination of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a key priority in our occupational hygiene programmes. We mitigate this risk, wherever possible, by monitoring employees' exposure and hearing and reducing noise at the source to below the recommended international standards. Where this is not possible we have comprehensive hearing conservation programmes in place and provide personal protective equipment (PPE) as an interim measure until noise level risks are mitigated to an acceptable level.

In particular, noise is an issue for underground mining operations, where employees and contractors work in proximity to large-scale machinery, in a relatively confined space. Typical measures to eliminate or minimise noise exposure include:

• 'buy quiet' procurement policies and equipment design criteria wherever possible for new or upgraded equipment (in open cut operations or mines where product is transported close to residential areas, this has an additional benefit for neighbouring communities);
• sound maps (noise contour maps) and risk assessments to determine the most 'at risk' areas in each operation; and
• addition of soundproofing materials or construction of enclosures to contain noise for existing equipment and operations.

Audiometric testing and baseline assessments are carried out at every operation. The frequency of NIHL monitoring depends on the assessed risk for each exposure group, function and/or operation.