Occupational noise hazard

Occupational Noise Hazard

Occupational Noise Hazard By: Candice Graham BSN,RN occupational health specialist

Objectives You will .Be able to recall basic facts and statistics about occupational noise Be able to state the difference between noise and soundIdentify noise hazards State noise mitigation methods How to prevent hearing loss !

SoundWhat's the difference ?

Noise Any sound that is undesired or that interfere with activity.Noise. (2016, March 21). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 00:34, March 29, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Noise&oldid=711250399

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Introduction Occupational Noise ExposureNoise in the work environment that has potential to be hazardous.

Why is it a hazard? Noise-related hearing loss has been one of the most prevalent occupational health concerns in the United States for more than 25 years.

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Fast FACTs

1981-hearing conservation program

Ten million people in the U.S. have noise-related hearing loss

Twenty-two million workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise each year.

In 2007, approximately 82% of the cases involving occupational hearing loss were reported among workers in the manufacturing sector.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (September 17, 2015). Noise loss and prevention . Retrieved March 20,2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/stats.html

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How We hear

OuterMiddle Inner

Hearing. (2016, March 17). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 01:18, March 29, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hearing&oldid=7105298656

What is Sound

A sound wave is a pressure wave; regions of high (compressions) and low pressure (rarefactions) are established as the result of the vibrations of the sound source.

Sound. (2016, March 21). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 00:35, March 29, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sound&oldid=711256846

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Characteristics of soundAmplitude (objective) Loudness (subjective)Frequency (pitch)Intensity (energy transported)

Coulter, B. (Producer). (2010, Oct 28, 2010). Sound Waves. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/brucecoulter/sound-waves-55976348

Decibels

Decibel system (sound pressure level)O dB -Threshold of hearing20 dB -Very quiet room40 dB -Normally quiet room60 dB -Comfortable conversational level80 dB -Loud (typical factory background) 100 dB -Very loud120 dB -Extremely loud140 dB -Threshold of pain

United States Department of Labor. (n.d). Occupational Noise Exposure. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/noisehearingconservation/index.html

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What is acceptable OSHA's permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 90 dBA (8hr) -Standard uses a 5 dBA exchange rateThe National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) worker exposures below a level equivalent to 85 dBA (8hr) -NIOSH recommends a 3 dBA exchange rate


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Click to begin video

Hearing loss myths & facts . [Video file]. (2015, Feb 24, 2015). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTFPh-COLFk


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Occupational noise source

CompressorsWoodworking MachinesPneumatic Tools Electric MotorsVentilator and Exhaust Fans

The pressure pulses from compressors are quite severe, and equivalent sound pressure levels can exceed 105dBThe noise level of hand held tools can reach as high as 110 dB(A) at the operators ear. For large motors in the range of 1000 kW, 3600 RPM, a sound pressure level of as high as 106 dB(A) occurs.Fan and blower noise is the easiest and moststraightforward noise problem to solve, using an absorptive type silencer

Sehrnd, G., & Gerges, S. (n.d). Noise source . Retrieved from http://www.who.int/occupational_health/publications/noise5.pdf 12

Effects of noise Tinnitus Hypertension Cardiovascular effectssleep disturbanceAnnoyanceHearing loss

Exposure to high noise levels can also cause permanent ringing in the ear or tinnitusTinnitus sufferers complain of constant whistling, squealing, roaring or buzzing in one or both earsSevere tinnitus may disrupt sleep, reduce concentration and cause irritability and depression

Our ears can recover from short exposure to loud noise but over time nerve damage will occur The longer and louder the noise the greater chance permanent damage will occur There is no such thing as tough ears or getting used to it

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How to reduce noise exposure Engineering controls involve modifying or replacing equipment, or making related physical changes at the noise source or along the transmission path to reduce the noise level at the worker's ear. Administrative controls are changes in the workplace or schedule that reduce or eliminate the worker exposure to noise. Hearing protection devices (HPDs)Effective hearing conservation program strives to prevent, promote and protect

Examples of inexpensive, effective engineering controls include some of the following: Choose low-noise tools and machinery; Maintain and lubricate machinery and equipment (e.g., oil bearings); Place a barrier between the noise source and employee (e.g., sound walls or curtains); and Enclose or isolate the noise source.

Examples include: Operating noisy machines during shifts when fewer people are exposed; Limiting the amount of time a person spends at a noise source; Providing quiet areas where workers can gain relief from hazardous noise sources; and Controlling noise exposure through distance is often an effective, yet simple and inexpensive administrative control. Specifically, for every doubling of the distance between the source of noise and the worker, the noise is decreased by 6 dBA.

An effective hearing conservation program must be implemented by employers in general industry whenever worker noise exposure is equal to or greater than 85 dBA for an 8 hour exposure or in the construction industry when exposures exceed 90 dBA for an 8 hour exposure. This program strives to prevent initial occupational hearing loss, preserve and protect remaining hearing, and equip workers with the knowledge and hearing protection devices necessary to protect them. Key elements of an effective hearing conservation program include:Workplace noise sampling including personal noise monitoring which identifies which employees are at risk from hazardous levels of noise.Informing workers at risk from hazardous levels of noise exposure of the results of their noise monitoring.Providing affected workers or their authorized representatives with an opportunity to observe any noise measurements conducted.Maintaining a worker audiometric testing program (hearing tests) which is a professional evaluation of the health effects of noise upon individual worker's hearing.Implementing comprehensive hearing protection follow-up procedures for workers who show a loss of hearing (standard threshold shift) after completing baseline (first) and yearly audiometric testing.Proper selection of hearing protection based upon individual fit and manufacturer's quality testing indicating the likely protection that they will provide to a properly trained wearer.Evaluate the hearing protectors attenuation and effectiveness for the specific workplace noise.Training and information that ensures the workers are aware of the hazard from excessive noise exposures and how to properly use the protective equipment that has been provided.Data management of and worker access to records regarding monitoring and noise sampling.

HPDs such as earmuffs and plugs, are considered an acceptable but less desirable option to control exposures to noise and are generally used during the time necessary to implement engineering or administrative controls, when such controls are not feasible, or when worker's hearing tests indicate significant hearing damage

Controls for noise exposure . (August 8, 2014). Retrieved March 8, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noisecontrol/

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Protection examples 15

Your responsibilities Wear HPDs when exposed to hazardous noise

Attend hearing tests and training as directed

Abide by the hearing conservation program requirements and make others aware of the need to wear HPDs in noise hazardous areas

Any Questions?Candice Graham BSN,RN Occupational Health [email protected]

References Coulter, B. (Producer). (2010, Oct 28, 2010). Sound Waves. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/brucecoulter/sound-waves-5597634


Hearing. (2016, March 17). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 01:18, March 29, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hearing&oldid=710529865

Noise. (2016, March 21). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 00:34, March 29, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Noise&oldid=711250399


Sehrnd, G., & Gerges, S. (n.d). Noise source . Retrieved from http://www.who.int/occupational_health/publications/noise5.pdf

Sound. (2016, March 21). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 00:35, March 29, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sound&oldid=711256846

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Occupational noise hazard

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