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By Theresa Y. Schulz

It is interesting to study the noise standards that have been promulgated in the US over the last decade or so. These regulations are likely to have long-lasting impact. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Hearing Conservation Amendment (March 1983) continues to have influence not only in the workplace but in the debate over new regulations. Both the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulatory preamble documents state the desire to be consistent with OSHA. An examination of Table 1, which compares the major components of the three regulations and the 1998 NIOSH “best practices” criteria, depicts the extent to which that intent is met. There has been some regulatory activity in the last decade which may give some hope for evolution and updating based on the wealth of science that has occurred during the last quarter of a century since the OSHA regulation was enacted. However there has also been some “back-sliding” toward more lenient standards. The MSHA noise standard made regulatory progress in September 2000 by emphasizing engineering and administrative controls, followed by personal protective equipment, in the hierarchy of noise intervention. MSHA’s requirement for technician certification (today only available from CAOHC) strengthened the training requirements for audiometric testing in hearing conservation programs and MSHA also added the requirement of dual hearing protection at 105 dB TWA. There were many subtle differences between OSHA and MSHA based on comments and a desire to clarify some of the vague aspects of the OSHA noise standard, and meet the needs of the regulated mining industry. One example pertains to the ceiling for exposures. OSHA says, “no exposures >115 dBA,” which is interpreted to mean no unprotected exposures above that level, giving credit for the assumed effectiveness of hearing conservation programs, hearing protection devices and administrative and engineering controls. MSHA specified that a “P” code1 violation be issued for any protected or unprotected exposures >115 dBA. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) noise standard for railroad operating employees, which went The Modern Evolution of Hearing Conservation Regulationsinto effect February 26, 2007, was expressly based on the OSHA standard but also uses MSHA for comparison. The preamble states that the FRA defers to OSHA as the “primary regulator of noise in the workplace,” but also acknowledges the need for some departure from the OSHA regulation (FRA Preamble II.B). As an example, FRA requires testing at 8000 Hz “because it will allow employers to identify hearing loss sooner.” The FRA rejected MSHA’s hierarchy of noise controls in favor of requiring specific engineering interventions and focusing on appropriate hearing protection which would still allow communication and audibility, and identification of excessive noise through employee-filed “excessive noise reports.”2 Where OSHA has no specific mandate requiring employees to take advantage of the employer-paid audiogram, it has been traditionally a condition of employment and is generally accepted that OSHA-covered workers require an annual audiogram. MSHA addressed this issue in its preamble; however, they made no significant change. MSHA employers are required to offer annual audiograms but MSHA stopped short of requiring employees to comply with annual audiometric testing. The MSHA preamble does allow that mine operators can also make audiometric monitoring a condition of employment. FRA requires employees to

By Edward P. Barrett

SPONGE IRON has been defined as the metallic product formed by the reduction (removal of combined oxygen) of iron ore or other iron oxides at temperatures below the fusion point of iron. This product probably derived the name "sponge iron" from its porous nature. When the reduction proceeds at slightly higher temperatures and the particles of metal weld together or finally even melt to yield pellets or balls that lack the porosity and low-density characteristic of sponge iron, the product might more correctly be called "direct iron."

Jan 1, 1954

The Bureau of Mines human factors research program is directed toward reducing accidents and improving the overall efficiency of the person-machine environment interface found in surface and underground mines. The focus of the hum factors program therefore, is to insure that sound knowledge is available concerning human capabilities and limitations, and that this knowledge is applied to the design, of mining equipment, work tasks, and management procedures. The papers presented in these proceedings summarize some of the recent Bureau research in hum factors. The papers focus on two broad areas, human resource issues and human engineering of equipment, tools, and work procedures found in mines.

Jan 1, 1987

Research 84 highlights significant studies conducted during the past fiscal year at Bureau facilities and offices. Readers who want more information about the projects and studies summarized here can contact the researchers whose names and locations appear with each summary. General information on Bureau of Mines programs is available from the Office of Technical Information, 2401 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20241. A listing of principal officials, a location map of field facilities, and a selected bibliography of publications and patents issued on Bureau developments during the past 3 years are provided.

Jan 1, 1984

By W. G. Park

Long-range projection of demand for domestic crude oil indicates a continued upward movement and accentuates the need for increasing the recovery from known crude-oil resources to supplement expected future discoveries. Consequently, the industry and Government have given special attention to the viscous or heavy-oil deposits because they offer the distinct possibility of large order increases in ultimate recovery. This report presents data pertaining to 150 heavy-oil reservoirs in Arkansas including oil characteristics of samples from 38 of these reservoirs. To January 1, 1967, about 600 million bbl of heavy oil has been recovered from the 150 reservoirs in 63 oilfields; however, about 4.5 billion bbl, or 88 pct, of oil remained in the ground. Of prime importance is that much of this heavy-oil resource is in reservoirs having characteristics considered favorable for thermal-recovery operations. Data for the thermal projects initiated [thus Ear are presented in individual field discussions. Also discussed is the t crude oil supply-demand situation in the State.

Jan 1, 1969

A symposium was held on January 30 and 31, 1973, at Pittsburgh, Pa., to review the state-of-the-art in designing and utilizing diesel-powered equipment in underground mining. The Health and Safety Activity of the Bureau of Mines sponsored the symposium with major assistance from the following four participating organizations: The American Mining Congress J. Allen Overton, President The United Mine Workers of America Arnold R. Miller, President The National Independent Coal Operator's Association Cloyd D. McDowell, President The Bituminous Coal Operators' Association, Inc. Guy Farmer, President Seventeen papers were presented during four half-day sessions devoted to the general subjects of the diesel engine, the place of the diesel in underground mining, health protection using diesels underground, and maintaining safety of diesels underground. Eleven of the speakers were from industrial organizations here and abroad; one represented the Provincial Government of Nova Scotia; two were with the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare; and three reported on Bureau of Mines work related to diesels.

Jan 1, 1975

By G. S. Scott

Mine fires have occurred since the mining of coal was begun, and they are still occurring. The resulting economic waste may become considerable (219),3 especially if a fire is allowed to assume major proportions or to get beyond control temporarily. It is important, therefore, to act promptly whenever a fire is suspected and to have every action count. To do this effectively, it is necessary to know at the earliest possible moment and thereafter what is happening in a remote or inaccessible area. It is equally important to know before¬hand what may be expected as a result of any proposed combative measure. The logical method of combatting a fire demands the cooperation of both mining engineer and chemist. They should decide the course of action to be taken, drawing upon the mining engineer's intimate knowledge of the physical structure of the fire area, the cost and time required for proposed operations, and the probable efficiency with which they could be carried out, and upon the chemist's knowledge of the results to be expected therefrom.

Jan 1, 1944

This dictionary is published by the Bureau of Mines as a contribution to the mining and mineral literature in the belief that it will fill a recognized need. Several attempts have been made over the years to revise Albert Fay's Glossary of the Mining and Mineral Industry which first appeared in December of 1918. Frank L. Hess of the Bureau of Mines worked on a revision, but his untimely death prevented its completion. Subsequently, the writer was employed to compile and edit this dictionary in cooperation with the technical staff of the Bureau of Mines. Fay's glossary contained about 18,000 terms with 27,000 definitions; the present compilation contains about 55,000 terms with approximately 150,000 definitions. These terms are of both a technical and local nature, and they apply to metal mining, coal mining, quarrying, geology, metallurgy, ceramics and clays, glassmaking, minerals and mineralogy, and general terminology. Petroleum, natural gas, and legal mining terminology, unless of a general nature, has been excluded, as has been foreign terminology where there is an English equivalent. Several thousand Spanish-American mining terms that appeared in Fay's compilation have been removed to make way for the thousands of new English terms that have evolved over the years. Those Spanish-American and Mexican terms still used in the Southwestern United States have been retained.

Jan 1, 1968

By John C. Machisak

The National Safety Competition is sponsored and conducted annually by the Bureau of Mines, U. S. Department of the Interior, to stimulate greater interest in safety in the mineral-extractive industries and to encourage the development of more effective accident-prevention programs. Since its beginning in 1925, thirty-four safety contests have been conducted. This publication reports results of the 11 annual contests for the period 1948-1958, inclusive. Mineral operations awarded the "Sentinels of Safety" trophy for the best safety record in their competitive group as well as those ranking second, third, fourth, and fifth are listed along with a summary of their achievements in preventing disabling injuries. In addition, this publication contains statistical information reflecting the disabling work-injury experience of all other mines and quarries enrolled in the annual contests. The injury statistics of these operations are arranged in the six groups of the competition and through 1955 are the only data on injury-severity at noncoal mineral operations published by the Bureau of Hines. Recognition of the National Safety Competition in promoting safety has increased steadily during its 34 years. The number of plants participating in these annual competitions increased from 210 in 1925, its first year, to a record of 675 in 1958. The expanding scope of the National Safety Competition indicates that more mines and quarries in the United States are enrolling 90 all available means to promote safety on the job will be used. Safety contests like this are generally recognized, in the field of safety promotion, as an effective way to arouse and hold the interest of employees and officials in accident-prevention programs. They tend to forge individual precautionary acts into group action centered on a common objective, such as winning the ?Sentinels of Safety? trophy.

Jan 1, 1960

By Hazel B. Comstock

[This material survey on magnesium and magnesium compounds is one of a series of Bureau of Mines publications designed to serve the needs of Government and industry for comprehensive, up-to-date information on mineral commodities and activities Magnesium, the world's lightest structural metal has become a most useful material in airborne and space vehicles, automotive equipment, machine tools, and consumer products. Use of magnesium on in basic refractories for iron and steel furnaces has expanded as the production of iron and steel has increased. Progress in converting steel furnaces to the use of oxygen has further increased the use of magnesium and magnesite brick.]

Jan 1, 1963

By Maurice Deul

This bulletin summarizes the work conducted under the Bureau of Mines methane control research program during the years 1964 to 1979. This research effort was directed toward improving existing methods and developing alternative methods of reducing the explosion hazard during mining. The research was performed in three general areas: (1) basic factors that control the emission of methane into coal mines, (2) methane control during mining, and (3) methane drainage in advance of mining. Topics discussed in this bulletin include the magnitude of the methane problem; the equipment and instruments developed; the geological, chemical and physical parameters that control the movement of methane in coalbeds; the direct method of determining gas content; the estimates of gas content from adsorption data; and methane drainage, through shafts, through horizontal boreholes, through vertical boreholes, or through slant holes. Improvements in ventilation, control of methane in gob areas, and water infusion are also discussed, as is the potential use of coalbed methane as a supplement to natural gas supplies. This bulletin provides a comprehensive source of information on the accomplishments of the Bureau's methane control research program, on the technology developed, and on the direction of further research.

Jan 1, 1986

By Hazel B. Comstock

This materials survey on magnesium and magnesium compounds is one of a series of Bureau of Mines publications designed to serve the needs of Government and industry for comprehensive, up-to-data information on mineral commodities and activities. Magnesium, the world's lightest structural metal, has become a most useful material in airborne and spare vehicles, automotive equipment, machine tools, and consumer products. Use of magnesium ores in basic refractories for iron and steel furnaces has expanded as the production of iron and steel has increased, Progress in converting steel fun cares to the use of oxygen has further increased the use of magnesia and magnesite brick.

Jan 1, 1963

By Raymond P. Miller

This two volume report addresses slope stability of surface mine spoils within the Interior Coal Province. Sixteen (16) mines were visited, pertinent data and samples collected, and reported spoil instabilities back-analyzed. Laboratory test results are compared to back-analyzed material properties. Available methods of slope stability analysis are reviewed and evaluated with respect to application to mine spoil stability evaluation and prediction. Correlation and tentative relationships among spoil material properties, highwall conditions, mining equipment and procedures and empirical observations are presented. Slope stability sensitivity plots illustrate the relative significance of various input parameters on stability. Slope stability input parameters are correlated with site and mining conditions to identify the primary factors controlling spoil stability. Investigative methods, spoil stability enhancement techniques, spoil stability prediction procedures and future study areas are discussed. Appendices include a glossary of terms, annotated bibliography, details of mine visits, and detailed laboratory test procedures and results.

Jan 1, 1979

By H. F. Yancey

The investigations described in this bulletin are confined to a study of the washing characteristics of bituminous coals. The major part of the work was conducted by the Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the Engineering Experiment Station of the University of Illinois and the State of Illinois Geological Survey Division between 1918 and 1924, in accordance with the provisions of an agreement between these agencies. The washing characteristics of coals from many of the important coal-producing fields of the Eastern and Central States were examined. The coals of the Pacific Northwest States and Alaska have been studied separately by McMillan and Bird of the Northwest Experiment Station of the Bureau of Mines at Seattle in cooperation with the College of Mines of the University of Washington.2 OBJECT OF INVESTIGATION The object of the investigation of coal preparation by the Bureau of Mines has been to promote the production of better prepared coal and to facilitate the correct selection and design of coal-preparation plants by obtaining as complete information as possible regarding the washability of the various types of American coals and the treatment best suited to each. In addition, some attention has been given to the development of new methods of washing coal. The work naturally divides itself into three rather distinct steps: (1) Development of a systematic method of examining and testing a coal; (2) classification of the American coals on a basis of the occurrence of the impurities associated with the coal in the beds; (3) examination of one or more representative coals of each type.

Jan 1, 1929

By C. A. Geffen-Fowler

This report, sponsored by the Bureau of Mines, presents the results of an examination of the safety of the Blind Shaft Borer (BSB) shaft sinking system and an alternative modified BSB design concept in comparison to conventional shaft sinking technology. Detailed study of the two systems was also performed to identify and recommend design changes for optimum safety conditions. A comparison of the BSB systems with conventional shaft sinking was made on the basis of relative risk levels. Risk incorporates both the frequency and the potential consequence of accidents. A safety evaluation of the component operations of the two BSB systems was performed using a Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) methodology. The results of this analysis show generally that both BSB systems are safer than conventional shaft sinking. The potential risk of conventional shaft Sinking operations could be reduced by over 30%, on the average with the use of the original BSB system, and by an average of about 10% with the modified BSB. Design change recommendations to further improve the safety of these systems include a better fire suppression system, improved man haulage systems and more compact hydraulics. An operational safety manual was also developed for the modified BSB system.

Jan 1, 1981

By H. B. Hill

Virtually from the date of its discovery in December 1928 the Oklahoma City oil and gas field, Oklahoma County, Okla., has attracted national and international attention. The history of the field has been associated closely with rules and regulations pertaining to production control and proration practices. Early development was rapid, and Oklahoma City soon attained the distinction of being the first major field in which the producing wells were over a mile in depth. Before the structural features of the reservoir had been disclosed every outpost well was considered a "wildcat", so complex appeared the underground geology, The wells not only were deep and the reservoir pressures high, but the production from the early wells was a high A.P.I. gravity oil, accompanied by large volumes of gas. Several "blow-outs" and fired occurred during the early development, and the close proximity of these now unusual events to a large city gave the field much publicity, both local and national. Later, when its production threatened to demoralize the market for oil and its products, the Oklahoma City field again attracted wide publicity. The then little understood geology of the underground reservoir and the diversity of ownership of the land overlying the producing structure made orderly development and production difficult to enforce. Proration was enforced with difficulty., and the, rate of production from the field continued to increase until, on August 4, 1931, martial law was declared in all prorated fields of the State, and most of the wells in the Oklahoma City field wore shut n. On October 9, 1931, permission was granted t o reopen and prod e the wells in the Oklahoma City field. The order permitting production of the wells provided that during the period beginning October 10 and extending to October 20, 1931, all wells in the field that hid not produced more oil than specified under the earlier proration orders and that had been shut in for the required 55-day period were permitted to produce 5 percent of their last potential during that 10-day period. On November 7, 1931, the Corporation Commission of Oklahoma issued an order which divided the Oklahoma City field into the Wilcox, Arbuckle, and Lower Simpson zones for proration purposes. Wells producing from the Wilcox zone were allowed to produce 4 1/2 percent of their potential5/ from November 1, 1931, to January 1, 1932; Arbuckle limestone wells were allowed to produce 250 barrels of oil daily; and Simpson sandstone wells which had a potential of over 2,000 barrels per day or which made 3 percent or more water were allowed to produce 200 barrels of oil per day.

Jan 1, 1937

By Jan Zwarcendyk

This study is primarily directed toward providing an understanding of the economic complexities associated with subsidence damage on the surface resulting from underground mining. Some of the pertinent theories on the physical stresses involved are reviewed, and both remedial measures and relevant laws in various countries are discussed. Part I (Chapters 1-3) is an historical overview of various aspects of subsidence problems (theoretical, remedial, and legal) during pre-World War I, between World Wars, and post-World War II, respectively. Part II (Chapters 4-9) presents a comprehensive analysis of the economic aspects of subsidence in relation to the following mining alternatives: (a) carrying out the lowest cost mining method without regard for any surface subsidence, (b) special mining techniques, (c) partial mining, (d) full recovery with stowing, and (e) sterilization or leaving the mineral unmined beneath selected areas. These alternatives are evaluated in terms of their measurable expenses.

Jan 1, 1971

More than 400 academic, government, and industry representatives attended the second symposium on ash utilization and technology held in Pittsburgh, Pa., March 10-11, 1970. Sponsored by the National Coal Association, Edison electric Institute, American Public Power Association, National Ash Association, and the Bureau of Mines, the symposium featured 23 formal presentations by leading experts from Europe and the United States on all major phases of ash production, utilization, and research. Abstracts of all the papers are grouped right after this introduction, and the full symposium proceedings follow. Biographical sketches of the representatives are given in an appendix. Sponsoring organizations and their chief representatives were the National Coal Association, James R. Garvey, Bituminous Coal Research, Inc.; Edison Electric Institute, C. E. Brackett, Southern Electric Generating Co.; American Public Power Association, Howard J. Stemm, Columbus (Ohio) Electricity Division; National Ash Association, Inc., John A. Tillinghast, American Electric Power Service Corp.; and the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, William L. Crentz.

Jan 1, 1970

By H. B. Hill

Virtually from the date of its discovery in December 1928 the Oklahoma City oil and gas field, Oklahoma County, Okla., has attracted national and international attention. The history of the field has been associated closely with rules and regulations pertaining to production control and proration practices. Early development was rapid, and Oklahoma City soon attained the distinction of being the first major field in which the producing wells were over a mile in depth. Before the structural features of the reservoir had been disclosed every outpost well was considered a "wildcat", so complex appeared the underground geology. The wells not only were deep and the reservoir pressures high, but the production from the early wells was a high A.P.I. gravity oil, accompanied by large volumes of gas. Several "blow-outs" and fired occurred during the early development, and the close proximity of these now unusual events to a large city gave the field much publicity, both local and national. Later, when its production threatened to demoralize the market for oil and its products, the Oklahoma. City field again attracted wide publicity. The then little understood geology of the underground reservoir and the diversity of ownership of the land overlying the producing structure made orderly development and production difficult to enforce. Proration was enforced with difficulty, and the rate of production from the field continued to increase until, on August 4, 1931, martial law was declared in all prorated fields of the State, and most of the wells in the Oklahoma City field wore shut in. On October 9, 1931, permission was granted to reopen and produce the wells in the Oklahoma City field. The order permitting production of the wells provided that during the period beginning October 10 and extending to October 20, 1931, all wells in the field that had not produced more oil than specified under the earlier proration orders and that had been shut in for the required 65-day period were permitted to produce 5 percent of their last potential during that 10-day period.

Jan 1, 1936

By C. A. Geffen-Fowler

This report, sponsored by the Bureau of Mines, presents the results of an examination of the safety of the Blind Shaft Borer (BSB) shaft sinking system and an alternative modified BSB design concept in comparison to conventional shaft sinking technology. Detailed study of the two systems was also performed to identify and recommend design changes for optimum safety conditions. A comparison of the BSB systems with conventional shaft sinking was made on the basis of relative risk levels. Risk incorporates both the frequency and the potential consequence of accidents. A safety evaluation of the component operations of the two BSB systems was performed using a Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) methodology. The results of this analysis show generally that both BSS systems are safer than conventional shaft sinking. The potential risk of conventional shaft sinking operations could be reduced by over 30%, on the average, with the use of the original BSB system, and by an average of about 10% with the modified BSB. Design change recommendations to further improve the safety of these systems include a better fire suppression system, improved man haulage systems and more compact hydraulics. An operational safety manual was also developed for the modified BSB system.

Jan 1, 1981