Alternative Drilling Noise Control Techniques

By Nelda Powers


Drilling noise control is an important process especially in those industries that major in building and construction projects. Other sectors where you will likely encounter the use of these controls include the mineral exploration industries specifically gas and oil exploration. Any ethical company strives to shield the workforce and community from excessive sound energy that can damage the ear drums hence making one deaf. Techniques employed include use of sound abatement, noise absorbing wall panels and air silencers.

Human hearing is known to be great such that noise-levels cannot be accurately represented on a scale that is linear. To counter this, a logarithmic unit is used commonly known as the decibel. Sound intensity and ones length of exposure determines the risk that a persons hearing may be damaged. Sound energy received is the core determinant of damage.

Surveys can be conducted in any workplace to determine the hazard posed by the noises. The preliminary surveys should be able to identify places where the noise-level exceeds the set exposure limits. Wherever drilling machinery are used, a detailed survey should be conducted so as to provide an in-depth assessment that quantifies the noise-level, identifies the source, develop control strategies and determine the appropriate hearing protection needs.

Controls are mostly on areas of administration, engineering and hearing protection. Before deciding on the best controls, a consultant needs to gain an understanding of the basic principles of noise-control. Problem analysis should be broken down into components that include the source, transmission and reception. A single piece of machinery can combine various independent noises. Various pathways can be used to propagate the noises to the receivers.

To lower the levels, one should try and separate the sources. This is because combined noises produce a sound that can be 3db higher than the usual one hence posing a risk of hearing damage. Sound insulation can be used to reduce the sound energy that is able to pass. It works by reflecting most of the sound. The most common way of insulation is the use of an obstacle such as a wall or partition. One can use a porous material to absorb sound energy. This is widely applied in music recording studios. These absorbents can absorb 50 percent of the sound energy produced.

Some of the administrative polices that firms can adopt include undertaking the purchase of quiet machinery which produce minimal sound energy. Many manufacturers are now responding to these market needs. Job rotation procedures can help reduce the exposure time for an individual employee. Regular maintenance of the machines hence ensuring that they are efficiently operating. The use of hearing protection devices by employees in very noisy places.

There are instances where reducing the noises as the source is impossible. A sealed simple enclosure can come in handy in such a case. It reduces sound energy produced by 15 to 20 dB. Large and heavy equipment should not be mounted near a building. An elastic stable foundation such as that of rubber or springs can be used to mount the machines.

There are various drilling noise control techniques related to drifters. If down the hole hammer machines are used, they should have hydraulic drive motors. Double glass insulation in rooms can also help reduce the sound energy levels.




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