Strategy towards a mining industry - wide Buyand - Maintain Quiet initiative to reduce noise induced hearing loss
H Gumede, K Blomerus, D Coutts, J DeBeer
The challenges of noise emission in the mining industry are well known.
These challenges are exacerbated by the increasing trend towards
mechanized mining, and there is general consensus that an effective
industry-wide Buy Quiet initiative (BQI) will significantly assist in reducing
noise-induced hearing loss by minimizing noise at its source.
In its endeavours to improve the health of workers, the MOSH Noise
Team has facilitated development of a proposed strategy and structure for a
BQI. Extensive consultation with stakeholders resulted in support for the
initiative. The MOSH Noise Team was advised to solicit the contributions of
consulting mechanical and electrical engineers (CM&EEs), whose support is
viewed as critical for realization of the initiative, since elimination of noise
at source is an engineering challenge, and most procurement standards and
specifications are set and managed by engineers.
A workshop with CM&EEs and their representatives, as well as group
environmental engineers (GEEs), confirmed the urgent need for the
initiative and provided valuable insights. The workshop used obstaclebased
planning techniques to identify the factors on which the success of
this BQI will depend.
Most potential obstacles to the implementation revolved around proper
scoping, leadership commitment, and companies’ adherence to the
initiative. Lack of involvement by the relevant stakeholders and economic
issues were also identified as potential obstacles.
Delegates at the workshop felt that the successful implementation of
the industry-wide BQI, will depend on the mining industry addressing the
specific obstacles. The most critical and urgent issue was identified as the
formation of a properly constituted industry-wide BQI task team that
includes representatives from critical stakeholder groups and which is
mandated and empowered to drive the initiative.
Keywords: occupational safety and health, noise-induced hearing loss, noise reduction,
Buy Quiet initiative.