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Discomfort caused by noise is ever-present, having numerous physiological, psychological and social implications. One of the most important discomfort factors for personnel working in the processes of surface coal extraction is represented by noise. This paper examines how noise generated by the process of lignite extraction influences the working capacity of employees. The covering effect of voice or different sound and verbal signals, during work, leads to tiring efforts of attention, thus decreasing work efficiency. Because of microclimate conditions in lignite exploitation activity (heat, humidity, air flow, etc.) the effects of occupational noxae are felt more emphatically by personnel exposed to them. This fact fosters a decrease in working capacity by emergence of induced stress, a decrease in concentrated attention, coordination of professional technical movements and the ability of critical apprehension as a result of occupational stress. The current paper analyzes how the upgrade and refurbishment of bucket wheel excavators contributes to lowering exposure to noise. Refurbishment by replacing the control booths of bucket wheel excavators results in lowering occupational noise exposure by up to 10dB (A) for workers in lignite extractive industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of a scientific study on industrial emissions based on requirements of the European Directive 2010/75/EU and Law 278/2013 referring to the minimization of greenhouse gas emissions into the environment. In this context, our study was focused on the decrease (in terms of environmental protection) of gas emissions generated by an installation for thermal desorption belonging to a commercial agent by adjusting its tunings after performing emission measurements. The installation for thermal desorption where gas emissions measurements were taken is intended for burning contaminated soil from a former industrial area for its remediation and use in road construction. During 2015, monthly measurements were performed at this installation and results regarding gas concentrations significantly exceeded the limit established by the national legislation. Thus, in agreement with the commercial agent, the operating parameters of the installation were adjusted and energy efficiency was improved, contributing to a decrease of both production costs and environmental impact. In this respect, the paper presents theoretical and technical problems of the installation for users information as well as its adjustment method during gas emission measurements, so that to operate within standard parameters, and with emissions falling within legal maximum established values, thereby avoiding environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Employers notified about working places under special conditions are required to develop Preventive and Protective Revised Plan, in order to ensure the improvement of workers safety and health protection, including specific measures and actions, so that those working places comply with the norms and operate under normal conditions by the late 31 December 2013. This paper considers some outcomes of the Nucleu Program PN 07450226 funded by Romanian National Authority for Research (ANCS) and developed during 2012-2013. The objective of this paper addresses the development of economically sustainable technical solutions for reducing the concentration of particulate matters and gases at their sources in power plants, in order to normalize the environmental conditions of special working places. During the first phase of the project, we identified dust and gas sources generated by machinery and equipment in working places with special conditions in Turceni and Deva power plants and also set the criteria and requirements for designing solutions to prevent and reduce these emissions, according to European practices in energy industry. Technical solutions envisage the development and application of effective projects for the abatement of various sources of dust and gas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mud-setting ponds from the mining industry unfortunately represent works which certainly bear risks. The size of the risk is given both by the high frequency of registered accidents as well as by the magnitude of the consequences, among which the disastrous ecological effects are the most obvious. This paper highlights the major accidents which may occur when processing the mud from the mud-setting ponds, as well as the importance of an efficient management for preventing such accidents. The SWOT analysis carried out within this paper represents a systematic action for diagnosing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats which have been identified at mud-setting pond level, having the purpose to properly recover the slime sludge from the waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]