Introduction to Occupational Noise

Introduction to Occupational Noise : Introduction to Occupational Noise

CONTENTS : CONTENTS Introduction What is noise How we hear Why a noise prevention program Signs and symptoms of hearing loss Effects of noise Noise level and the human response Employers responsibility Legislation & Regulations Hearing protection Audiometric testing Summary

INTRODUCTION : INTRODUCTION Loud noises can cause hearing loss Prolonged exposure to a harmless noise can cause hearing loss Damage from hearing loss is irreversible Noise induced hearing loss is preventable Prevention involves: noise controls safe work practices education

WHAT IS NOISE : WHAT IS NOISE Noise is defined as unwanted or damaging sound: sound that interferes with what people are trying to do, or sound that has an adverse effect on health or safety. Noise that Annoys and Noise that Destroys

Noise – Sound Waves : Noise – Sound Waves

Noise – Sound Waves : Noise – Sound Waves Pain!!! 130dB(A)

Sound Waves : Sound Waves the sound intensity of the threshold of hearing (the quietest sound we can hear) is 0.00000000001 watts/m2 (often written 10-12 watts/m2 ); whilst the sound intensity at the threshold of pain is about 10 watts/m².

Types of noise : Types of noise Continuous – Busy street, Traffic, Power Tools, etc Impulse – Impacts, Explosions, Hammers, etc

THE EFFECTS OF NOISE ON HEARING : THE EFFECTS OF NOISE ON HEARING Sound - produced vibrations enter the inner ear as waves. Frequency - (pitch) number of vibrations per second; measured in hertz (Hz) Intensity - loudness of the sound; measure in decibels (dB).

NOISE LEVEL AND THE HUMAN RESPONSE : NOISE LEVEL AND THE HUMAN RESPONSE Pneumatic chipping and riveting …. 130dB(A) Automatic punch press …. 110 dB(A) Heavy lorries at 6m …. 90 dB(A) Construction site - pneumatic drilling …. 90 dB(A)

HEARING CONSERVATION : HEARING CONSERVATION Bulldozer: 85dBA Quite Room: 30 dBA Normal Conversation: 50 dBA Normal City Noises: 65 dBA Artillery/Good Rock Band: 120 dBA

HOW WE HEAR : HOW WE HEAR Ear Outer ear - directs sound waves Middle ear - eardrum - hammer, anvil, stirrup Inner ear – cochlea, organ of corti

HOW WE HEAR : HOW WE HEAR

HOW WE HEAR : HOW WE HEAR Cochlea Hair Cells

WHY AN OCCUPATIONAL NOISE PROGRAMME : WHY AN OCCUPATIONAL NOISE PROGRAMME Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent Physical means No cure Inner ear cells cannot be replaced Hearing loss is gradual and painless Employee awareness

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEARING LOSS : SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEARING LOSS Ringing / buzzing in the ears Difficulty with high pitched sounds Problems with conversing with others Inability to hear consonants Raising the volume on the TV / radio

Side effects of noise : Side effects of noise Behavioural effects - annoyance and agitation Negative impact on health Stress, high blood pressure, stomach ulcers, Grinding teeth, Sleeplessness, Tinnitus. Headaches, aggression, etc Accidents Reduction in productivity level – distracting Speech interference - poor communication and safety risks Fatigue and impaired concentration causes an increase in errors Loss of hearing

LEGISLATION & REGULATIONS : LEGISLATION & REGULATIONS Objectives Protect workers from risks to their hearing caused by noise. Prevent hearing loss and deafness as a result of exposure to noise at work. Legal requirements placed on employers Identify noise problems and if noise levels are above : Exposure limit values Action values, then defined Management Actions are required by a Competent Person. Time Weighted Average – TWA (8)

Action Values : Action Values The lower exposure action values are—(a) a daily or weekly personal noise exposure of 80 dB (A-weighted); and(b) a peak sound pressure of 135 dB (C-weighted).

Employer’s responsibilities – Lower Exposure Action Value : Employer’s responsibilities – Lower Exposure Action Value General duty to reduce the level of noise exposure by engineering or administrative means. If noise level is at or above a Daily or weekly 80dB(A) or a 135 dB(C)Peak : Risk assessment with identified measures for reduction Inform employees of the noise levels present and measures taken to reduce exposure. Make ear protection available and provide training in its use Hearing checks must be made available to employees exposed to noise levels in excess of 80dB(A) over an 8 hour period

Upper Action & Limit Values : Upper Action & Limit Values The upper exposure action values are—(a) a daily or weekly personal noise exposure of 85 dB (A-weighted); and (b) a peak sound pressure of 137 dB (C-weighted). The exposure limit values are— (a) a daily or weekly personal noise exposure of 87 dB (A-weighted); and(b) a peak sound pressure of 140 dB (C-weighted).

Employer’s responsibilities – Upper Exposure Action Value : Employer’s responsibilities – Upper Exposure Action Value Exposed to noise at or above an upper exposure action value: reduce exposure to as low a level as is reasonably practicable by : organisational and technical measures, excluding the provision of personal hearing protectors. the area is designated a Hearing Protection Zone with signage and restricted entry

Employer’s responsibilities – Exposure Limit value : Employer’s responsibilities – Exposure Limit value Must ensure that employees are not exposed to noise above an exposure limit value; or if an exposure limit value is exceeded forthwith – reduce exposure to noise to below the exposure limit value; identify the reason for that exposure limit value being exceeded; and modify the organisational and technical measures taken to prevent it being exceeded again.

HEARING PROTECTION : HEARING PROTECTION Three ways to protect your hearing: Engineering controls Administrative controls Hearing protection

ENGINEERING CONTROLS : ENGINEERING CONTROLS Enclosure Sound barriers Complete enclosure Sound proof cabs Mufflers/Silencers Equipment and exhaust

ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS : ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS Decreasing the exposure time Limiting the number of personnel exposed Arranging a work roster system Susceptible employees identified and protected – pregnant women, impaired hearing, stressed, etc.

HEARING PROTECTORS“EAR PLUGS” : HEARING PROTECTORS“EAR PLUGS” Description Training How to fit and wear Care Advantages Disadvantages “EAR PLUGS”

HEARING PROTECTORS“EAR MUFFS” : HEARING PROTECTORS“EAR MUFFS” Description Training How to fit and wear Care Advantages Disadvantages “EAR MUFFS”

AUDIOMETRIC TESTING : AUDIOMETRIC TESTING Painless and short test to measure hearing Establishes a baseline Detects changes in hearing Employee’s with exposure in excess of 80dB(A) over an 8 hour period

Personal Responsibility? : Personal Responsibility? There are many non-work related factors that can influence a Person’s susceptibility to Occupational Ill Health and these include: Diet, Age, Lifestyle, Nutritional deficiencies, Physical injuries, Emotional distress, Perceptual imbalances, Allergies & sensitivities, Previous health problems, Relationship issues, Environmental toxins, Psychotoxins, Seasonal Affected Disorders, etc. All Anecdotal Your Hazard may only be the Straw but you are the one with the legal responsibilities.

SUMMARY : SUMMARY Know the source of harmful noise Use engineering and administrative controls to avoid exposure to noise Obey high noise area signs Wear hearing protection properly

Homework : Homework Identify if you have a Noise Problem i.e. what levels and duration of noise do you create while working Create a Risk Assessment to ensure the Action Values and Limit Values are adhered to Implement your Safety Management System Inform your workforce and any client you are working with. wilf@mindskills.co.uk