Permissible Exposure Level
30 CFR 62.130
30 CFR §62.130 Permissible exposure level
(a) The mine operator must assure that no miner is exposed during any work
shift to noise that exceeds the permissible exposure level. If during any work shift a miner's noise
exposure exceeds the permissible exposure level, the mine operator must use all
feasible engineering and administrative controls to reduce the miner's noise
exposure to the permissible exposure level, and enroll the miner in a hearing
conservation program that complies with § 62.150 of this
part. When a mine operator uses
administrative controls to reduce a miner's exposure, the mine operator must
post the procedures for such controls on the mine bulletin board and provide a
copy to the affected miner.
(b) If a miner's noise exposure continues to exceed the permissible exposure
level despite the use of all feasible engineering and administrative controls,
the mine operator must continue to use the engineering and administrative
controls to reduce the miner's noise exposure to as low a level as is feasible.
(c) The mine operator must assure that no miner is exposed at any time to sound
levels exceeding 115 dBA, as determined without adjustment for the use of any
hearing protector.
The definition of decibel (dB)
can be found here: Decibel
An MSHA
program information bulletin regarding this subject
can be found here: Correction to
30 CFR Part 62
This standard applies to
surface and underground metal and nonmetal and coal
mines.
Other relevant MSHA standards:
62.150 Hearing conservation program
62.120 Action level
62.140 Dual hearing protection level
Issues to
Consider in Determining Compliance:
•
Is any miner exposed to a noise level
that exceeds the permissible exposure level?
•
Have all feasible engineering and
administrative controls been implemented to reduce or eliminate the miner's
exposure to noise levels above the allowable limit?
•
Has the miner been enrolled in a hearing
conservation program?
•
Is any miner exposed to sound levels
exceeding 115 dBA at any time determined without adjustment for the use of any
hearing protector?