Analysis of noise affect in production processes at open pit mines to level of hearing impairment of employees

Aim Determining the hazardous noise level, that is the noise level that may be a cause to hearing impairment of employees working in surface mines. Methods Reaserches conducted in period from 2004 to 2011, based on periodical medical examinations of employees as well as continouous noise measurments in working environment. Results There's been a mild increase of employees with hearing impairment from 20 to 40 (dBA), or with diagnostic evaluation of light hearing loss at employees that had been expossed to the noise up to level of LAE=83 (dBA). Above considered range of noise exposure it's been recorded a significant increase of number of employees with listed hearing impairments. In order to preserve the health of employees, humanize work and improve ergonomic conditions, the employers are recomended to change the legal uper margin for noise exposure of LAE=85 (dBA) and to apply the lower one of LAE=83 (dBA). Conclusion The determined hazardous levels of noise exposure to the employees of LAE=83 (dBA) is a sugestion to relevant, competent institutions with A role in creating and legal bill passing regarding the norms in domain of noise protetction.