10 May 2011.
At the Auckland Branch Meeting held our sponsors venue, Gough CAT commenced the evening with Sales Manager Tony Smith reviewing factors attributed to increased operator comfort and safety, with an particular emphasis on hearing.

It’s not that many years ago when machine operators sat in open cabs exposed to noisy engine exhausts which meant operators had maximum exposure to noise levels approaching 115 dBa for many hours at a time. Operators of modern machinery have virtually sound-proofed vehicles with noise levels often at 70dBa or less.

The following table is a useful guide to understanding the threshold of Hearing

Quiet Room

45 dBA
Conversation

55 dBA = 45 dBA x 10
Car (80kph at 15m)

65 dBA = 45 dBA x 100
End Loader (In Good Cab)

75 dBA = 45 dBA x 1,000
Haul Truck (In Good Cab)

85 dBA = 45 dBA x 10,000
Crusher

95 dBA = 45 dBA x 100,000
Old Dozer (No Cab)

105 dBA = 45 dBA x 1,000,000
Air Track Drill (No Controls)

115 dBA = 45 dBA x 10,000,000

We were reminded that the noise levels are measured on a logarithmic scale – louder the noise, the more
hazardous it is. Also, the longer the exposure time, the more hazardous the noise is.

Geoff Wright, Goughs Northern Regional Manager shared with us their company’s commitment to safety in

the workplace and the measures they had taken wiith staff involvement to reduce the incidence of

work-place lost time injuries.

Goughs H&S Review

The Health and Safety Review presented by the Manukau Branch Department of Labour’s Health and Safety

Inspectors Hans Key, and George Wheatley. It was disturbing to see photos of unguarded sprocket and

chains, and inadequate tail-drum nip points as well as workshops where inflammable liquids (solvents)

were not stored in dedicated fire-proofed areas. While the incidence of H&S compliance generally has

improved it was clear that there is still work to be done in our industry.