NOISE AT WORKPLACE
Noise Pollution: An unpleasant sound that creates disturbance may cause permanent disable of hearing ability.
ACOUSTIC SHOCK
Acoustic shock is define as an acute exposure with high frequency and intensity of sound through a telephone
Is workplace has noise problem ?
- a busy street
- a vacuum cleaner
- crowd in restaurant
- noisy power tools
- noisy machinery
- if you have to speak loudly during conversation around 2 meters
What does employer has to do when faced a Noise Pollution?
Your employer shall:
- Use of quieter equipment, otherwise maintain
- Use of quieter process
- Apply procedures to reduce noise from source
- Set the time limit to spend in noisy areas
Employee shall:
- Comply to protect your hearing
- Use noise-control devices
- follow working methods, use in workplace
- checks noise reducing device
- Report any problems with noise-control devices
Note: all of the above are legal duties on you.
HEARING LOSS INCLUDE: Noise Pollution
• Temporary damage
– Hearing returns
• Permanent damage
– Hearing does not return, Permanent damage or destruction of hair cells in the ears.
SIGN OF DEVELOPING HEARING LOSS:
- Inability to hear soft or high pitched sound
- Understanding issue in conversation
- Ringing in the ears
- Others can hear something you can’t
NO CURE, WHEN HEARING LOSS:
- Normal hearing cannot restore
- Use Hearing aids
NOISE POLLUTION LEVEL:
- Noise level is measured in decibels
- 130 db Jackhammer, Power Drill
- 166 db gun
- 170 dB Jet airliner
- 120 dB Riveting hammer
- 110 dB shouting loudly
- 70 dB Street sounds
- 38 dB Quiet bedroom
NOTE: 1dB = 30% more noise
NOISE POLLUTION CONTROL: LAWs
OSHA
Employer:
shall establish, hearing conservation process, when employee noise exposures equal or surpass 8-hour at level of 85 db.
1910.95. d. 1
When noise exposures equal or exceed 8-hour at level of 85 db, develop and implement a monitoring process.
1910.95. d. 1. i
Sampling plan shall design to identify noise level to permitting right selection of protectors.
1910.95. d. 2. ii
Instruments which is using to measure noise exposure shall proceed to calibration to ensure accuracy.
1910.95. d. 3
Monitoring shall be repeated when a change in production, process, equipment or control that will increase exposures to the extent that,
1910.95. d. 3. i
Additional employees will expose at or above the action level; or
Provision of hearing protector which is using by employees is insufficient to meet requirement
WHO
There are two concepts
NOEL – No Observed Effect Level: Means no exposure effect of Noise.
LOAEL – Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level: there is an exposure effect of Noise.
NEQS
Noise Regulation at work 2005
Work Act 1974, Health and Safety
https://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC206475/
AUSTRAILIA
• The Noise Policy for Industry (2017)
UK
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l108.pdf
ILO: driven checklist
- Is company following national regulations on noise?
- Are noisy equipment or machineries reported?
- Are noisy equipment or machineries servicing and maintained on regular basis?
- Is there any procedure implemented to replace noisy machineries?
- Are machines correctly assembled and placed to avoid vibrating noise?
- Is survey procedure implemented periodically?
- Is sound absorbent material used in structure?
- Is there any barrier implemented to spreading noise?
- Are employee save from noise exposure?
- Rotational patterns and noise reducing equipment exist?
- Is equipment provided, cleaned and maintained?
- Are training provided to all concerns?
ACTION AND LIMIT VALUES: Noise Pollution
• Lower action value (LAV)
– 80dBA – 8hrs Peak – 135dBA
• Upper action value (UAV)
– 85dBA – 8hrs Peak – 137dBA
• Exposure limit value (ELV)
– 87dBA – 8hrs Peak – 140dBA
When exposure is over 80dB
Employer:
- Inform all employee, risks to hearing from noise, otherwise arrange a training program
- how to reduce risks
- provide hearing protective equipment, otherwise maintain noise free workplace
When exposure is over 85dB
Employer:
- Try to reduce noise at source
- Provide hearing protective equipment
- Identify and placed signage at ear protection zones
- Conduct assessment
- Provide hearing checks
When exposure is over 87dB
- A maximum Level and not to be exceeded
- Noise must reduce to acceptable level
- Preferably at source
- Otherwise by hearing protective equipment
CONTROL OF NOISE:
- eliminate OTHERWISE reduce it at source
- lubrication and proper maintenance
- Anti-vibration foundation
- Sound absorbing devices
- Enclosure
- Reducing exposure time
HEARING PROTECTION EQUIPMENT:
Ear Plugs
- keep clean
- Put in properly
- Comfortable to wear
Canal Caps
- Like ear plugs
- Easy to wear
- Do not completely seal Often
- It is not a good for above 85dB for long time
Ear Muffs
- Must fit tightly
- Very effective
- Uncomfortable in hot weather
- Can share, after cleaning
- Cleaning required
Effectiveness of Hearing protection depends upon type and manufacture
- Don’t over-protect
- Ensure suitable for exposure
- Regular maintenance & record keeping required, otherwise prepare
- Try a rotation in noisy areas
Risk Assessment
- follow procedures, otherwise prepare
- Ensure for applicable standards
- Measure noise level
- Compare with action level
- Identify control measures
Measuring and Controlling Noise Exposure
Noise exposure is cumulative over a shift, which is why OSHA and most international standards set an 8-hour time-weighted average action level rather than a single peak-noise limit — short bursts above the limit can be acceptable if overall daily exposure stays within threshold, while continuous moderate noise can still exceed safe limits over a full shift.
Where noise cannot be eliminated at the source (quieter equipment, maintenance to reduce mechanical noise, enclosures around loud plant), administrative controls such as job rotation and rest breaks in quiet areas reduce individual exposure time. Hearing protection — earplugs or earmuffs, matched to the actual noise level rather than the highest-rated product available — is the last line of defense, and a hearing-conservation program should include baseline and periodic audiometric testing for workers in high-noise areas.
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