Safety and health

 Working in a noisy environment continues to pose a risk for employees. During 2008, 77 cases were submitted for compensation for noise-induced hearing loss. This is a decrease from 78 in the prior year. It is a cause for concern that there is a large prevalence of early, pre-compensable noise-induced hearing loss cases being reported.

What causes noise-induced hearing loss? Hearing loss occurs progressively over a period of time following consistent exposure to high levels of noise (in excess of 85dBA). An occupational health industry target decision taken at a South African Mine Health and Safety Summit in 2003 stipulates that, after December 2008, there should be no cases of compensable hearing loss amongst occupationally (noise) exposed individuals. The company’s aim is to adhere to this target and a number of initiatives have been implemented to meet this goal.

“AngloGold Ashanti is well on its way to reaching this milestone on all our equipment but it is a concern that we are still seeing a large number of early hearing loss cases. Therefore we believe it is important that as an organisation we also set ourselves a self-imposed target of around 90dBA noise on equipment; because added with the protection of hearing protection devices, an individual would then only be exposed to about 85dBA of noise in totality,” explains Dr Zahan Eloff, Occupational Health Manager: West Wits. In an effort to mitigate the risk presented by noise levels, AngloGold Ashanti’s hearing conservation programmes are underpinned by three features: engineering control, the use of hearing protection devices and medical surveillance to detect any early loss of hearing.

INTRODUCTION OF HILTI DRILLS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

From 1997 the South African operations began muffling all pneumatic rockdrills and this is being followed by the complete phasing out of these drills, to be replaced by the less noisy Hilti electric drills.

“We are in the process of rolling out Hilti drills at all our mines although TauTona is currently the only operation with full use of these,” continues Eloff.

The project to reduce decibel levels on all noisy fans has been extended to other noisy equipment and areas, such as air hoists, water jets and pressure-reducing valve stations.

All noise-exposed employees undergo audiometric testing on an annual basis to detect any early signs of hearing loss.

The methods employed to prevent employees going deaf from noise exposure do not only include engineering.

“Other methods being used include administrative control and how we limit employees’ exposure to noise by phasing out long shifts. We have now reduced shifts from twelve to nine hours,” Eloff explains.

Hearing protection devices worn by employees during work are the last feature in the fight against noise-induced hearing loss.

“We have concluded an exercise to review and standardise hearing protection, utilising the procurement process.

Whereas in the past AngloGold Ashanti would buy its hearing protection devices from one source, the company now rates all the different brands on the market. If sub-standard devices are purchased from a specific manufacturer; a penalisation system kicks in. This initiative has certainly encouraged manufacturers with high standards of manufacturing, to be the company’s preferred supplier,” explains Eloff.

A measure to prevent full-scale deafness in employees who have been diagnosed with early noise-induced hearing loss is counselling in understanding the risks and exposure to deafness in their current designations.

If possible they are placed in alternative (lower risk) employment within the company or are afforded early retirement, should they no longer choose to be exposed to the risk (noise).

“It is imperative to acknowledge the large amount of work being done in this area but AngloGold Ashanti’s vision is to eventually reach a position where noise-induced hearing loss has been completely eliminated from the occupational environment,” concludes Eloff.