HP : Reduce Noise Exposure for Your Workers

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Chapter : Hearing Protection

Reduce Noise Exposure for Your Workers

Hazardous noise levels in the workplace are a serious issue, and, if not protected against, could lead to stress, lower productivity, and, most importantly, health problems in those affected.

There are, however, a range of measures that can be taken to reduce the effects of loud machinery and processes. From machinery additions to employee procedures, we'll discuss here the important aspects of noise reduction and ways to make your workplace safer and more comfortable.

There are main categories of measures that can be taken, such as those related to engineering (such as installing absorptive silencers) and administrative controls (such as your employee policy).

Here are some specific steps to address that span these categories.

1. Hearing Protection for Employees

This is perhaps the most obvious option for many employers. Ear protection can be very effective and, for workers operating in places where noise exceeds 85 dB, this is often necessary. There are different kinds of protection available, including ear plugs, over-the-ear plugs (which sit on the ear and are kept in place with a connected piece of plastic or wire), and ear muffs. The effectiveness of a given type of hearing protector can be measured as a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) score.

Aside from this, there is also a choice to be made between passive and active sound-blocking mechanisms (where active noise reduction involves masking hazardous sounds with a different sound—particularly useful to protect against low-frequency droning noise like that of an airfield).

2. Positioning of Noise Sources and Workplace Layout

A straightforward solution that may be an option for your company is rearranging your setup so noisy machines are further away from where employees are normally located. This can be deceptively easy because many plants, for example, can allow enough space to move some workstations to quieter areas.
When this step is implemented, along with enclosing loud machines (mentioned below), the effects can be particularly effective, as the noise source is removed from the worker by both a barrier and by distance.

3. Building Design

The use of sound insulation in the walls and ceilings can make a large contribution to how sound travels through the building. Advances in these materials are enabling impressive new functionality—there is even a trend toward environmentally friendly bio-based materials for this purpose. But if you choose standard or new materials, insulating walls and floors can go a long way toward compartmentalizing any noise sources in your building.

4. Staffing Practices

Another common-sense approach is to simply reduce the amount of time workers spend in contact with the sound source. This can easily be achieved by rotating workers in and out of contact with the noise—which is particularly effective as it gives the workers' hearing a break from the source of loudness. Noise damage to hearing is cumulative, so it will build up over time, regardless of breaks given. So another solution is to have as few staff members as possible on duty when loud noises are present in the workplace.

Scheduling some very loud processes for when there are fewer workers on duty is another option.

5. Enclosing Machines or Other Sources of Noise

One of the most effective ways to reduce noise is by installing a barrier or enclosure between a loud machine and where workers are situated. This can be achieved easily especially in plants that allow sufficient space between machines and in operating setups that do not require workers to constantly attend to the machine.

6. Keeping Machinery Up to Date

It goes without saying that wear and tear on machinery will result in greater noise leakage over time. Consider the sound quality benefits of newer machines and the potential cost savings in productivity and claims, and incorporate this calculation when carrying out cost-benefit analyses for a decision on upgrading your equipment.

7. Installing Sound Insulating Equipment on Machinery and Fixtures

Silencers are a useful method, in this regard, reducing the low-frequency sounds generated by airflow in machines and ventilation. Other measures, such as replacing rivets with welds, also reduce noise significantly.

There are two broad categories—absorptive and engine exhaust silencers—which differ in their applications and benefits.

8. Buying Machinery Based on Noise Scoring

Of course, it's best to address noise levels before they become an issue. Inquire with the manufacturer about noise levels when procuring equipment, and you could save yourself a lot of money and hassle down the line.

"Buy quiet" is a government initiative to encourage businesses to purchase equipment with lower noise levels. Organizations such as NASA have implemented "buy quiet" safety road maps.

9. Monitoring Your Employees' Well-Being

This is less of a prevention measure as it is a remedy. Providing for a hearing check before and during your employees' time with your company can help identify any loss of hearing before it escalates too far. While you may make every effort to protect your employees, it is always best to take a proactive approach, given the fact that every person's hearing reacts differently to sound hazards.

10. Other Outside-the-Box Measures

You should provide training for your workers on the ways to prevent hearing damage. In the end, each staff member is the best person to monitor and judge their levels of noise exposure. Other employers have found great benefit in providing completely noise-free spaces on site where workers can reduce stress.

Conclusion

The challenge of reducing workplace noise levels is clear. Mining is the industry with the most hearing loss, but manufacturing is a close second. That doesn't mean that employers in other industries are in the clear, though, because even in office spaces, noise levels can exceed that which would allow staff to work in a focused and stress-free manner.

When deciding on your noise reduction strategy, make sure that it incorporates the perspective of administration (people), facilities (buildings), and machinery and equipment. Even simple steps can reduce the levels of noise in your workplace, but in most cases some extra measures will be needed, such as purchasing of special equipment to ensure safety.

Bear in mind that the administrative aspect cannot be ignored—both in terms of prevention and dealing with any ill effects of noise. In the interest of your workers, you should have the plans in place to monitor and act in the event of hearing damage. If the right steps are taken, you can ensure your workplace is a safe place for all.

HP : Listening Safety

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Chapter : Hearing Protection

Listening Safety

Nearly all construction sites are filled with various sounds and noises. Each sound we hear is the result of an action of a worker using a tool or a piece of equipment. In nearly every case, a tool or piece of equipment will signal its breakdown by a change in the normal operating sound.

Everyone on site should condition himself or herself to be able to pick up these advance warning signals even when wearing ear plugs or earmuffs. 

The individual safety could easily be dependent on your ability to hear approaching danger.

• Things Decreasing Listening Safety:
• Over concentration on work
• Lack of sleep
• Improper over eating habits
• Use of alcohol or drugs (both legal and illegal)
• Poor work place ventilation
• Loud radio’s; individual radio with ear plugs

• How to Improve Listening Safety Habits:
• Become acquainted with the proper operational sounds of equipment and tools
• Listen closely to instructions. Ask questions if instructions are unclear or confusing
• Stay alert

Although it may be easier to see danger than it is to hear it, your ears are able to perceive warning signals from all around you. Your eyes are only good in the direction you are looking. Fine tune your ears and you can fine tune your exposure to danger and injury.

HP : Reduce Noise Pollution At Workplace

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Chapter : Hearing Protection

Reduce Noise Pollution At Workplace

Noise in the workplace may have an adverse effect on both people at work and those in surrounding neighborhoods. Noise at it's worst can affect peoples health or cause deafness, at a lower level it is an irritant and an environmental nuisance, as a form of pollution. The polluting effect of noise is a direct result of the location of a site and the working hours.

Legislation such as the Noise Abatement Act  and Control of Pollution Act give statutory powers to local authorities in relation to environmental noise, magistrates have the power to fine the polluter for infringements of noise related regulations. Common law courts have the jurisdiction to stop noisy operations by granting an injunction and imposing damages.

On a construction site noise takes two main forms:-

• Noise produced by plant and machinery through engines, exhausts, pumps etc.
• Noise produced in construction processes such as from demolition, piling, scabbing or the erection of steelworks.

A general reduction in noise on site by the reduction of direct noise sources benefits operators in their working position and will also benefit the environment.

The following ways to reduce noise should always be taken into account on every site.
Locate permanent and semi permanent plant away from site boundaries, particularly on site with neighbors within close vicinity.

• Make use of site huts and stockpiles as noise shields.
• Limit shouting and radios on site in sensitive areas.
• Arrange material transfer points away from sensitive buildings and people.
• Arrange delivery times on site to suit the area e.g. daytime deliveries in residential areas, night time deliveries in inner city areas
• Use all silencing equipment available and keep panels closed on all generators and compressors
• Switch of noisy equipment when not needed.
• Arrange routes for mobile plant so as the amount of reversing required is minimized so as to reduce the amount of reverse warning bleepers being used.
• Observe restrictions on working hours.

When erecting a temporary noise screen remember to obscure line of sight (using at least 10 mm plywood or similar material) and minimize gaps in the screen.

By following these guidelines the levels of noise produced on site should be minimized, if you believe there is a noise problem on site inform your supervisor immediately.

HP : Noise at Work Place

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Chapter : Hearing Protection

Noise at Work Place

We are surrounded by sound all the time- We use it as a means of communication and as a source of entertainment ( Music)..etc. without it, we may become disoriented. However, in certain circumstances, it can be an intense irritation and a considerable hazard at work. In such circumstances, unwanted sound is usually referred to as Noise. The Major problem associated with noise is hearing damage, but it can also cause disturbance which can impair efficiency, and interfere with communication which can increase the risk of accident, and
stress.

Health effects of Noise at Work: 

Noise at work can cause hearing loss which can be temporary or permanent. The danger depends on how loud the noise is and how long people are exposed to it. Generally , permanent damage to hearing is irreversible and there is no cure for hearing impairment. People often experience temporary deafness after leaving a noisy place. Although hearing recovers within a few hours, this should not be ignored. It is a sign that if you continue to be exposed to the noise, your hearing could be permanently damaged. The damage is usually gradual. By the time you notice that you have difficulty in hearing, it’s too late. Hearing loss is not the only problem. People may develop tinnitus ( ringing, whistling, buzzing or humming in the ears, a distressing condition which can lead to disturbed sleep. Noise can also be a safety hazard at work, interfering with communication and making warnings harder to hear

Noise Problem at Work 

1. As a simple guide, you will probably need to do something about the noise if any of the following apply :- 


• Do your employees have to raise their voice to carry out a normal conversation when about two meter apart.?  
• Do your employees use noisy powered Tools or machinery ?  
• Do you work in a noisy industry ? Are there noises due to impacts ( Such as hammering, pneumatic impact tools, explosive sources such as catridge operated Tools ?
2. Note : The above is not a complete list, but some examples to show that you have noise problem at your work

Losing Hearing

• Hearing loss is usually gradual because of prolonged exposure to noise. It may only be when damage caused by noise over the years combine with hearing loss due to ageing that people realise how deaf they have become. 
• In the following cases , you can consider that you have already lost some hearing power :- 
• You have difficulty following conversation, Find it difficult to catch sound like ‘t’ , ‘d’ and ‘s’ , So you confuse similar words. 
• You frequently ask people to repeat when they have said 
• You have difficulty following conversation over the phone 
• You frequently ask for the television volume to be tuned up

Measuring of Noise : Unit & Exposure Limits 

• Generally, Noise is measured in decibels (dB). 
• An ‘A-Weighting’ sometimes written as ‘dB(A)’ is used to measure average noise levels, and a ‘C-Weighing’ or ‘dB(C)’ , to measure peak, impact or explosive noises. 
• We measure the Noise using sound level Meter .As per standard code of Construction Safety practice, the contractor shall not expose the employees in the work place to noise levels higher than specified by the standard code . It is 85 dBA in eight hours per day 

Typical Noise Levels

• Control Noise: We can reduce the noise at our workplace by our proper planning according to the basic noise control Techniques in the order of preference, as below :-
• Noise Reduction at Source : This can be done by elimination or substitution of process or equipment producing Noise ( Eg: Renting or buying quieter equipment, Diesel/petrol Engines replaced by electric motor, pneumatic tools replaced by electric Tools…etc)
• Isolation : In many cases, the best method of noise control is to erect enclosures around machines ( It reduces the amount of noise emitted into the workplace or environment.
• Apply Engineering Control Measures : Examples are absorption & Insulation, Damping, Silencing..etc
• Absorption & Insulation : By providing sound absorbing/Insulating material on walls of the room ,where noise producing machines are placed, we can reduce the overall noise levels in the adjacent rooms significantly.
• Damping : By providing anti-vibration damper/rubber mountings on a machine, we can reduce the noise level considerably. (Eg: Putting rubber feet around the leg of machines)
• Silencing : Eg: Provision of silencer on the car exhaust.
• Design and Layout of the work place : Such as keeping noisy machinery and processes away from quieter areas; Design the workflow to keep noisy machinery out of areas where people spend most of their time
• Apply Administrative Controls : Like limiting the time spent in noisy areas –every halving of the time spent in a noisy area will reduce noise by 3 dB
• Hearing Protection : Hearing protection should be issued to employees 
• Where extra protection is needed above what has been achieved using noise control 
• As a short- term measure while other methods of controlling noise are being developed.
• You should not use hearing protection as an alternative to controlling noise by other means as above. Wear hear protection such as earplugs and earmuffs. It is important to choose the right hearing protection for the condition you face. Make sure that hearing protection fits properly, but ensure that hearing protection does not block out too much sound, Otherwise, it can interfere with safety communication-such as alarms or warning signals.
• Ear Muff- Consists of sound-attenuating material and soft ear cushions that fit around the ear and the hard outer cups. They are held together by a head a band.
• Ear Plug- is inserted to block the ear canal. They may be pre-moulded ( Preformed) or mouldable (Foam ear plugs). Ear Plugs are sold as disposable products or reusable plugs. Custom made Ear Plugs are also available

Remember : We know prevention is better than Cure. But in the case of noise Induced hearing Loss, there is no chances of Cure , It is permanent and irreversible. So, better to take preventive measures.

Hearing Loss Prevention: Monitoring and Testing Requirements

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Chapter : Hearing Protection

Hearing Loss Prevention: Monitoring and Testing Requirements

All organization have to implement the Noise Exposure standard  imposes monitoring and testing requirements for noisy work environments to protect employees' hearing.

The noise exposure standards says that if any employee's exposure equals or exceeds an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels (dB), which is the "action level," organization must develop and implement a noise monitoring program.

• The audiometric sampling strategy for the monitoring program should be designed to identify affected employees and enable proper selection of hearing protectors.
• Instruments used to measure employee noise exposure should be calibrated to ensure accurate measurement.
• When circumstances make area monitoring inappropriate, a representative personal sampling should be used to comply with the monitoring requirements.
• All continuous, intermittent, and impulsive sound levels from 80 to 130 dB should be integrated into the noise measurements.

Monitoring should be repeated whenever a change in production, process, equipment, or controls increases noise exposures to the extent that additional employees may be exposed at or above the action level or the protection provided by hearing protectors may be rendered inadequate to meet requirements.

The standard also requires employee to provide affected employees (or their representatives) with an opportunity to observe any noise measurements and notify each employee of the results of the monitoring.

Audiometric Testing Program

You must make continuous audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed the action level. Audiometric tests must be performed by a licensed or certified audiologist, otolaryngologist (an ear, nose, and throat specialist), or other physician, or by a technician who is certified to conduct test.

Noncertified technicians with appropriate experience may conduct tests under supervision of a certified tester. A technician who operates microprocessor audiometers does not need to be certified.

All audiograms must meet the requirements and certified.

Baseline Audiogram

Within 6 months of an employee's first exposure at or above the action level, you must establish a valid baseline audiogram against which subsequent audiograms can be compared.

• When mobile test vans are used to meet the audiometric testing obligation, you must obtain a valid baseline audiogram within 1 year of an employee's first exposure at or above the action level.
• When baseline audiograms are obtained more than 6 months after the employee's first exposure at or above the action level, employees must wear hearing protectors for any period exceeding 6 months after first exposure until the baseline audiogram is obtained.

Testing to establish a baseline audiogram must be preceded by at least 14 hours without exposure to workplace noise. Hearing protectors may be used as a substitute for the requirement that baseline audiograms be preceded by 14 hours without exposure to workplace noise.

Annual Audiogram

At least annually after obtaining the baseline audiogram, you must obtain a new audiogram for each employee exposed at or above the action level. Each employee's annual audiogram must be compared with that employee's baseline audiogram to determine if the audiogram is valid and if a standard threshold shift (STS) has occurred.

An audiologist, otolaryngologist, or physician must review problem audiograms and must determine whether there is a need for further evaluation. If a comparison of the annual audiogram with the baseline audiogram indicates an STS has occurred, the employee must be informed of this fact in writing within 21 days of the determination.

An annual audiogram may be substituted for the baseline audiogram when, in the judgment of the audiologist, otolaryngologist, or physician who is evaluating the audiogram:

• The STS revealed by the audiogram is persistent.
• The hearing threshold shown in the annual audiogram indicates significant improvement over the baseline audiogram.                    

Audiometric Test Recordkeeping

Management must maintain an accurate record of all employee exposure measurements and audiometric test records. Noise exposure measurement records must be retained for 2 years, and audiometric test records must be retained for the duration of the affected employee's employment.

All records must be provided upon request to employees, former employees, representatives designated by the individual employee, and to health and safety auditor.

Hearing Loss A Bigger Safety Problem Than You Might Think

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Chapter : Hearing Protection

Hearing Loss A Bigger Safety Problem Than You Might Think

As per the research number of workers goes to work each day in in noisy work area and have a noise-related hearing loss, workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise each year.

All worker exposures to noise should be controlled below a level equivalent to 85 decibels (dB) for 8 hours to minimize occupational noise induced hearing loss. therefore recommends a 3 dB exchange rate so that every increase by 3 dB doubles the amount of the noise and halves the recommended amount of exposure time.

Hearing Conservation Programs

The managements should carry out hearing conservation program in their factory where noise exposure is prevailing greater than 90 db. Such program can be prevented from ‘Noise induced hearing loss’.

Over the past few decades, many organizations much has been learned about the implementation of hearing loss prevention programs. 

The  eight elements of a successful hearing loss prevention program are:

• Noise exposure monitoring
• Engineering and administrative controls
• Audiometric evaluation
• Use of hearing protection devices
• Recordkeeping
• Program evaluation
• Program audit
• Employee training and motivation

Following methods can be applied for control or reduction of Noise:

• Control of noise at the source through good engineering design 
• Substitution by less noise processes such as welding instead of riveting, grinding instead or clipping etc
• Isolation – shifting of noise machine to area where few people work or not spread up noise in any other shop floor, well insulated part ion and tighten-closing doors may be installed for the noisy areas. 
• Application of sound absorption material on the walls.
• Use of ear protectors such as ear plugs and ear muffs. 
• Rotation of personnel.

Noise levels is some industries in India:

1. Compressors                    95-110      (A)     
2. Diesel generator               96-118     (A)
3. Textile carding                  87-90       (A)
4. Textile spinning                86-96       (A)
5. Textile Weaving               90-109     (A)
6. Riveting                           128-130   (A)
7. Foundries                        104-120   (A)
8. Heavy Engineering          95-112     (A)

Ten Ways to Recognize Hearing Loss:

According to the National Institutes of Health, the following questions will help your employees determine if they need to have their hearing evaluated by a medical professional:

• Do you have a problem hearing over the telephone?
• Do you have trouble following the conversation when two or more people are talking at the same time?
• Do people complain that you turn the TV volume up too high?
• Do you have to strain to understand conversation?
• Do you have trouble hearing in a noisy background?
• Do you find yourself asking people to repeat themselves?
• Do many people you talk to seem to mumble( or not speak clearly)?
• Do you misunderstand what others are saying and respond inappropriately?
• Do you have trouble understanding the speech of women and children?
• Do people get annoyed because you misunderstand what they say?

Those who answer "yes" to three or more of these questions may want to see an otolaryngologist or an audiologist for a hearing evaluation.