NOISE AT WORK

LIFE NEEDS SOUND

AWARENESS SESSION FOR SUPERVISORS

OBJECTIVES

• Understand what is noise

• Introduction to noise levels

• How to identify noisy situations /areas

• What your role is

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INTRODUCTION

• Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the most common permanent and preventable occupational injury in the world.

World Health Organization

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WHAT IS NOISE

• Noise is all around us – at home, at leisure and at work

• If noise is too loud and we are exposed for too long it can damage our hearing and affect our safety at work.

• Exposure to high levels of noise may lead to hearing loss and other harmful health effects

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WHAT IS NOISE

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When noise gets loud enough

— It is unpleasant

— It is distracting

— It is tiring & stressful

— Higher levels / long exposure can cause permanent hearing damage

— 85dB(a) Noise Action Level

EXPOSURE TO NOISE

• Exposure to loud noise will inevitably cause hearing loss over time.

• Can be temporary hearing loss

– hearing returns after a short period away from noise

• Or permanent hearing loss

– Permanent damage or destruction of hair cells in the ears.

• Another effect can be “tinnitus” or permanent ringing in the ear.

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SIGNS OF HEARING LOSS

• You have to raise your voice to have a normal conversation with others when you are about 2 metres away, at least for part of the day;

• Inability to hear soft or high pitched sounds

• Trouble understanding conversation at a distance or in a crowd

• Ringing in the ears (“tinnitus”)

• Others can hear something you can’t

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HEARING LOSS

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TINNITUS

• Exposure to high noise levels can also cause permanent ringing in the ear or “tinnitus”.

• Tinnitus sufferers usually complain of constant whistling, squealing, roaring or buzzing in one or both ears.

• Severe tinnitus may disrupt sleep, reduce concentration and cause irritability and depression

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WHAT IS TOO MUCH NOISE

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HOW IS NOISE MEASURED

Noise is measured in decibels (dB). An ‘A-weighting’ sometimes written as ‘dB(A)’, is used to measure average noise levels. A ‘C-weighting’ or ‘dB(C)’ measures peak, impact or explosive noises.

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WHAT THE LAW SAYS

OSHAD-SF CoP 3.0 – Occupational Noise

– Sets maximum exposure limits – Average of 85dB(a) over an 8 hour period

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NOISE LEVELS

86

89 92

If the noise source is doubled

The noise level only goes up 3 dB

Represent enormous increases in noise

level and risk

Small increases in decibel level

83

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NOISE EXPOSURE LIMITS - OSHAD-SF CoP 3.0

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EMPLOYERS MUST

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OSHAD-SF - COP - 3.0 - OCCUPATIONAL NOISE REQUIREMENT

EMPLOYERS MUST….

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WORKERS MUST….

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HOW DO I KNOW IF IT IS NOISY

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WHAT ACTION SHOULD I TAKE

• Is signage present identifying the area as noisy or requiring hearing protection?

– Have workers been issued hearing protection – Is it being worn?

• Report the issue to your manager

• Could workers be in danger due to the noise levels:

– Can they hear warning sounds or alerts – Do you have mobile plant and machinery in the area – Could they hear it approaching – Can they hear a warning shouted from 2m away – try this and check

• Has a noise risk assessment been completed – check with your manager

• Monitor the area on a regular basis to ensure that the noise is controlled

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CONTROLLING NOISE

• Remove the noise - use different equipment, techniques, processes or shields;

• Choose and use quieter tools, machines and equipment;

• Soundproof machines or house them where workers cannot hear them;

• Install screens or barriers, enclosures or sound-absorbing materials;

• Create quiet workstations using design and layout that reduces noise;

• Limit the time spent by workers in noisy environments – only allow people into risk areas who need to be there;

• Maintain machinery and equipment to reduce noise;

• Train and supervise workers to use noise enclosures or low-noise working practices.

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HEARING PROTECTION

• Does not stop noise

• Reduces the noise level entering the ear

• Only works if used and maintained correctly

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HEARING PROTECTION

Hearing protection devices are selected according to:

– Worker comfort

– Level of noise exposure

– Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of device

– Type of work being performed

– Workplace conditions

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HEARING PROTECTION

Zero reduction in Noise

Zero reduction in Noise

Reduction in Noise

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HEARING PROTECTION

No noise reduction

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HEARING PROTECTION

• Know where hearing protection is required in your workplace

• Be aware of how to correctly wear all types of hearing protection

• Ensure workers are wearing hearing protection and it is fitted correctly

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SOME TYPES OF HEARING PROTECTION

• Tight fit, covering ears, no gaps at the seals

• Keep them clean inside and out

• Keep glasses, hats, hair or jewellery clear of seals

• Keep headband comfortably tight – no stretching

• Get a good seal around your ears when using helmet-mounted earmuffs

EARMUFFS

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SOME TYPES OF HEARING PROTECTION

EARPLUGS• Clean hands before inserting into ear canal

• Never share with others and dispose of safely

• Get help with fitting if you need it

• Only re-use and wash if designed for this – some are meant to be used only once

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SOME TYPES OF HEARING PROTECTION

• Plastic band holds across the ear canal

• Good seal needed at every wear.

• Check the band is still tight enough

• Use clean hands and good hygiene.

SEMI-INSERTS/CANAL CAPS

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FITTING TIPS - ROLL-DOWN FOAM EARPLUGS

ROLL - entire earplug into a crease-free cylinder

PULL BACK - pinna by reaching over head with free hand, gently pull top of ear up and out

INSERT - earplug well into ear canal and hold until it fully expands

1

2

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FITTING TIPS - MULTIPLE-USE EARPLUGS

REACH - While holding the stem, reach hand overhead and gently pull top of ear up and back.

INSERT - Insert earplug so all flanges are well inside the ear canal.FIT - If properly fitted, only the stem of the earplugs should be visible to someone looking at you from the front.

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FITTING TIPS - VISUAL + ACOUSTICAL CHECKS

VISUAL CHECK - The earplug should sit well inside the ear canal and not stick out.

ACOUSTICAL CHECK - Cup hands over ears and release. Earplugs should block enough noise so that covering your ears with hands should not result in a significant noise difference.

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FITTING TIPS - EARMUFF INSTRUCTIONS

2 - Adjust the headband by sliding the headband up or down at the attachment buttons

3 - The ear cushions should seal firmly against the head

1 - Place earcups over each outer ear

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SIGNAGE

• Where noisy areas have been identified

• Signage should be in place to warn everyone of the dangers

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SUMMARY

• No one should be exposed to noise levels above 100 decibels without being given the right hearing protection.

• If noise levels go above 85 decibels over an average weighted scale in an 8-hour shift employers must put Hearing Conservation Plans in place.

Hearing protection should be issued to workers:– 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.

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QUIZ

• If you have to raise your voice to be heard from

– 5 meters – 2 meters – 25 meters – 3 meters

• It is probably too noisy in your workplace

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QUIZ

• What happens when people are exposed to excessive noise?

(Choose all applicable points)

– They can’t hear someone talking to them.

– Over a period of time, they will develop hearing loss.

– Some people may develop permanent ringing in their ears.

– Some people will be stressed out by constant exposure to loud noise.

– Their hearing becomes resistant to the noise.

– No consequences.

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• Damaged hearing can be fixed by surgey

– True – False

• Name two types of hearing protection

– ..................................................

– ..................................................

QUIZ

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• What action should I take if I think it is noisy in my workplace

– Report it to my manager – Nothing – Check if a risk assessment has been done – Check workers – can they hear me? – Monitor the area – Give everyone ear muffs

QUIZ

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• Hearing aids restore full hearing ability

– True

– False

QUIZ

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