The Best Drilling Noise Control Techniques

By Nelda Powers


Drilling noise control is important for all industries especially the in the building and construction, oil, gas and water exploration sectors. It is important to ensure that both employees and the community around are shielded from excessive noises emanating from the work equipment. There are various control techniques that can be employed such as vibration isolation, sound absorbing wall panels, sound abatement and air silencers among others.

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 used to determine potential hazards at the work place. Most industries that are ISO certified have to comply with the standards set to act as benchmarks. As per matters relating to noise, there is an acceptable sound level. Preliminary surveys should single out work places that have exceeded the acceptable sound level. A detailed survey identifies the sources of excess sound energy, quantifies their level and comes up with pragmatic solutions on ways of reducing the noises.

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.

Where it poses a challenge to reduce the noises from their source, one can use a simple enclosure which should be sealed. This can help reduce noises by 15 to 20 dB. Large and heavy machines should not be mounted near buildings. They should be mounted on foundations. Stable foundations are best and it is recommended that elastic separation such as rubber or springs made of steel be used.

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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