Noise assessment in quarries

One of the most common occupational hazards in the crushed stone mining sector is noise, which is present in almost all activities within a quarry. The human ear is extremely sensitive and vulnerable to noise, and prolonged exposure can lead to physical exhaustion and chemical, metabolic, and mechanical changes in the auditory sensory organ. These effects can be mitigated by developing educational programmes and preventive measures to monitor environmental noise levels. Given the importance of the mining sector for the country’s development, this book aims to analyse noise in a crushed rock mining company located in Presidente Médici, RO. To this end, a literature review was conducted on the subject of quarries and their occupational risks, the effect of noise on the human body and protective equipment, the noise dosimetry carried out by SESI-RO (Social Service for Industry in Rondônia) was analysed, and measures were proposed to mitigate noise in the workplace or provide adequate protective equipment.