Occupational Health and Safety

NOISE HAZARDSIN THE WORKPLACE

Presented by:

Erin, Lxxx,

Lxxx, Rxxxxxx, Pxxxxx

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Overview Background What is noise? Mechanics of hearing and types of hearing loss Identify Assessing the problem Legal considerations Control in the workplace HR Challenges Case Studies: Canadian National and Husky Injection Final Thought

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Background

As long as humans have had ears, they have had hearing loss

Noise became an issue in the workplace with the onset of the Industrial Revolution

Over 1,000,000 workers in Canada are exposed to noise in the workplace

Noise-induced hearing loss is the most prevalent, irreversible occupational hazard

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Background (cont.)

Ontario legislation for noise found in Industrial Establishments Section 139

Federal regulations set out in Canada Labour Code

In 2000, WSIB paid out almost $20M in noise-related claims 26% more than previous two years Noise is a growing concern in the workforce

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Noise

Noise is a physical agent. This means that it has physical energy resulting

from the vibration of an object and the subsequent movement of air molecules.

Noise is ambient.

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Noise vs. Sound

Sound is what we hear. Noise is unwanted sound. Ex. Rock music can be pleasurable to some,

annoying to others. In either case, it can be hazardous to a person’s hearing if the sound is loud, and if the listener is exposed long and often enough.

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How We Hear

Outer

Eardrum (middle ear)

Cochlea (inner ear)

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Types of Noise

Continuous: noise heard constantly throughout the shift

Intermittent: noise heard off and on throughout the shift

Impulse/Impact: a sudden, loud burst of noise of very short duration

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Assess

The first step in assessing noise exposure in the workplace is to conduct a noise survey.

Things to consider: Purpose of measurement (compliance with noise

regulations, hearing loss prevention, etc.) Noise patterns (where they occur in the workplace,

and how often) Locations of people who are exposed to the

hazard

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Exposure Limits in Ontario, Reg. 851; S.139(5)(b)

Column 1 Column 2

Sound level – in dB Duration – for 24h day

90929597

100102105110115

0ver 115

86432

1.51

0.50.25 or lessNo exposure

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Control At the source:

Engineering controls Designing quieter

machines Modifying existing

equipment Isolating vibrating parts

within a machine Add sound-absorbing

materials or mufflers Vibration padding

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Control

Along the path: Separate worker from

noise source Redesign floor plan of

work area Keep rest areas, lunch

rooms, etc. away from noise source

Erect sound barriers Use sound-absorptive

materials Acoustic tiles

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Control At the worker:

Job rotation Conduct noisy operations

during non-working hours Personal protective

equipment Earplugs, earmuffs Least costly method Most commonly used However, not always the

most effective!

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HR Challenges

Control at the source is generally the most expensive Involves heavy capital investment in new

equipment and machinery redesign HR must convince executives that this is a

necessary expense using a cost-benefit analysis Noise-based illness, absenteeism, worker’s

compensation costs

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HR Challenges (cont.)

Required workplace training on noise hazards Work alongside JHSC

Evaluate effectiveness of programs Monitor noise hazards in the workplace Record-keeping and scheduling of noise

and hearing tests Maintain records for WSIB claims in

case of injury

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Noise Abatement Programs Should include:

Trained program coordinator Worker involvement (JHSC or

worker rep) Noise hazard information available

to JHSC Noise surveys Engineering program with dates,

progress checks and reduction priorities

Maintenance program monitored by JHSC

Worker training and education Annual review/evaluation of

program Success of program depends on worker

and management participation

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Example Canadian National (CN) CN has been aware of noise hazards for at least 20 years 1991 → CN Hearing Conservation Program

4 elements: 1) Sound level measurements

Identify (where noise may pose a hazard) and quantify exposure

2) Results: Sound level indicate (8 hours average

exposure) exceed 87 dBA the additional elements of their hearing conservation program are

implemented.

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Husky Injection Molding Systems Limited

Manufacturer of molding machines and robotics Over past several years, have been reducing the

sound pressure levels of their machines Acoustic Dampening

All products have this as a standard feature Caps noise output at 70 dB

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A Final Thought

“Noise control should include measures to limit the noise at the source, to control the sound transmission path, to protect the receiver’s site, to plan land use, and to raise public awareness. With careful planning, exposure to noise can be avoided or reduced.”- World Health Organization,

1998

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References

National Safety Council, Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene. Barbara A. Plog Editor, Third Edition, 1988, 915 pages.

Montgomery, J.; Kelloway. K. Management of Occupational Health and Safety. NELSON, series in Human Resources Management, NELSON Thomson Learning, Second Edition, 2002, 281 pages.

Pocket Ontario Occupational Health & Safety Act & Regulation. Consolidated edition, Carswell a Thomson company, 2002, 773 pages.

Armstrong, Jim. Sound advice: sensible solutions for noise and hearing loss. Canadian Occupational Safety, v.35 (4) J1/ Ag’97, p.14-16.

Pathak-Bhawani. Tackling noise: are you workers slowly developing noise-induced hearing loss? Occupational Health & Safety, v.14(6) O/N’98, p. 42-46.

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/noisehearingconservation/index.html#Recognition http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/noise_basic.html http://www.readyforwork.sk.ca/fast-facts/noise.htm http://www.whsc.on.ca/publications/hazardbulletins/fall2001/noise.htm http://www.chs.ca/info/noise/book2.html http://www.gov.on.ca Workplace Health and Safety Agency. Health & Safety in your Workplace. Produced by

the Communications Department of the Workplace Health and Safety Agency, Toronto, 1994.