Occupational Noise

Occupational Noise

Occupational NoiseAMI Environmental Environmental Health & Safety Dan Taylorwww.amienvironmental.com

BIOAMI EnvironmentalAMI Environmental is a full-service environmental consulting and remediation firm, specializing in facility-based environmental problems affecting facility operations, renovation and demolition activities. Established in 1986 and headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, AMI services clients nationally and internationally.

Dan Taylor, CEOOver 25 years Environmental Health & Safety Experience

www.amienvironmental.com

SummaryHow We Got Here

1969-DOL issued the Walsh-Healey noise standard 90 dBA for 8 exp. Federal contracts of $10,000 or more.1970- DOL issues Bulletin 334. Continuous, Effective Conservation Program1970 Congress passes OSH Act. Every Man and Women1971-OSHA made the Walsh-Healey noise standard an OSHA standard.www.amienvironmental.com

Did you Know?Noise induced hearing loss is the most common occupational hazard for American workers. Hearing loss from noise is slow and painless; you can develop a disability before you notice it. If you must raise your voice to speak with someone only 3 feet away, you are in high (hazardous) noise.It is 100% preventable.


What is Noise?Noise is defined as:Sound or a sound that is loud, unpleasant, unexpected, or undesired.By product of many industrial processes (ex. operating machinery)Exposure to high levels of noise may lead to hearing loss


How Much Noise is Too Much?85 Decibels (dB) - the "Action Level" where hearing protection is required. 90 dB - the OSHA, 8 hour average exposure limit. 100 dB - exposures longer than 15 minutes are not recommended. 110 dB - regular exposure of more than 1 minute risks permanent hearing loss


Noise Permissible Exposure Limits(PEL)Utilize administrative or engineering controls when sound levels exceed Noise permissible Exposure Levels. (8 hours permitted duration per workday for 90 dBA sound level)Provide hearing protection if above controls fail to reduce sound levels within Permissible exposure levelswww.amienvironmental.com

Noise Regulations


Hearing Conservation ProgramImplemented whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8 hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 85 dBA without attenuation from use of hearing protection.


Elements of Hearing Conservation ProgramNoise MonitoringHearing ProtectionAudiometric Testing Training Record Keeping

HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM GUIDELINEOSHA Noise Standard and Hearing Conservation Amendment 29 CFR 1910.95



Rule of ThumbWhen you feel the need to shout in order to be heard 3 feet away, the noise levels are probably 85 dB or more and hearing protection is recommended. www.amienvironmental.com

Anatomy & Physiology of the Ear


Sound Pressure LevelDefinition: the local pressure deviation from the ambient (average, or equilibrium) atmospheric pressure caused by a sound wave.

Sound waves are energy produced by vibrating objectsThe larynx vibrates to produce the voice The vibrations create a pattern, which the ear translates into soundAs you double the distance from a noise source loudness decreased by halfStrong vibrations from very loud noises can damage the earwww.amienvironmental.com

How we hear soundsSound waves enter the ear canal striking the eardrum.When the eardrum vibrates, ossicles conduct vibrations to the cochlea. Tiny hair like cells in cochlea respond to vibrations by generating nerve impulses.

Healthy hair cells are the key to good hearing. Although, some die off naturally as you age, many more are killed early from unprotected exposure to hazardous noise. www.amienvironmental.com

Effects of Noise on Hearing How quickly hearing loss takes place depends on the intensity of the noise, its duration, and how often the exposure occurs.


16Symptoms of Overexposure to NoiseTemporary Threshold ShiftMuffled sound after noise exposure If continued overexposure, this can worsen and become permanent. TinnitusRinging in the ears If continued overexposure, this can become permanent.


How Hearing is DamagedHair like cells are flattenedYou dont get used to noise; you gradually loose your hearingOnce hearing is damaged it can not be repaired. www.amienvironmental.com

Signs of Hearing LossDifficulty hearing people speakInability to hear certain high pitched or soft soundsNoise or ringing in the earsComplaints that the radio or tv is too loud


Types of Hearing LossConductiveCaused by something that stops sound from reaching the outer or middle ear (infection, foreign bodies, fluid, earwax, malformation of ear)SensorineuralHearing loss that occurs when there is a problem with the nerve in the middle ear. Caused by birth injury, disease, noise exposure, trauma, and ageing Mixed Hearing loss that includes both conductive and sensorineural


Noise Induced Hearing Loss Noise induced hearing loss occurs from exposure to loud noises.Constant exposure over a period of timeExposed to sound levels over 140 dBA Tinnitus Age induced hearing lossHereditary Nerve damageExposure to high sound levels


Occupational/Non Occupational Hearing loss Occupational Hearing LossResults from constant exposure to sound levels above 85 dBA TWA Damage to hair cells in cochlea

Non-Occupational Hearing LossResults from constant exposure to sound levels above 85 dBA TWAResults from damage to outer, middle or inner ear, hereditary, ototoxic drugs www.amienvironmental.com

Statistics on Occupational Hearing LossFour million workers go to work each day in damaging noise. Ten million people in the U.S. have a noise-related hearing loss. Twenty-two million workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise each year.In 2008, approximately 2 million U.S. workers were exposed to noise levels at work that put them at risk of hearing loss.In 2007, approximately 23,000 cases were reported of occupational hearing loss that was great enough to cause hearing impairment.Reported cases of hearing loss accounted for 14% of occupational illness in 2007.In 2007, approximately 82% of the cases involving occupational hearing loss were reported among workers in the manufacturing sector.


Effects of Noise on Hearing


Recognizing Occupational Hazardous NoiseOperating fork liftCutting WoodCutting LawnWeldingGrinding Chipping Concrete Working near Generator Operating Chop SawStationary Power ToolsScrew Gun, Drill www.amienvironmental.com

Recognizing Non Occupational NoiseHousehold NoisesVacuum Lawn mowerPower toolsIpod Boombox Noisy Hobbies Loud musicFirearmsCar/motorcycle race trackSporting events Loud speakers www.amienvironmental.com

Noise Monitoring Used to identify work locations where hazardous noise levels exist. Exposures to noise monitored periodically with: Sound level meter (area noise level)Noise Dosimeter (personal noise exposure level)


Noise Mapping (Area Monitoring)


Noise Dosimetry (Personal Monitoring)


Permissible Exposure Limits


Impact or Impulsive NoiseExposure to impact of impulsive noise should not exceed 140 dB peak sound pressure level.


Affected EmployeesEmployees subjected to noise exceeding permissible noise limits shall be provided hearing protection devices, if feasible administrative or engineering controls failed to reduce noise levels. Employee exposed to noise at or above the 8 hour TWA of 85 dB, or equivalently, a dose of 50% shall be notified and enrolled in HCP. www.amienvironmental.com

Noise ControlAdministrative Control Engineering Control Personal Protective Equipment (hearing protective devices)


Administrative ControlOperate noisy equipment on second or third shifts.Rotate employees through high noise areas.Modify existing machineryPlace noise limit specs on new equipment Maintain equipment, keep in good condition Report noisy equipment to supervisor for repair.www.amienvironmental.com

Engineering controls Reduce noise at the sourceInterrupt the noise pathReduce reverberation and structural vibration www.amienvironmental.com

Personal Protective Equipment (Hearing Protection Devices HPD)Employers shall provide employees exposed to 8 hr TWA of 85 dB at no cost.Employers shall ensure being worn:By employees exposed to 8 hr TWA of 90 dB or greaterBy employees exposed to 8 hr TWA of 85 dB or greater and Whose baseline audiogram has not been established Who have experienced a threshold shift


Hearing Protection Device HPD Noise Reduction HPD must reduce employee noise exposure below PEL (8 hr TWA of 90 dB)Employees with standard threshold shift (STS) HPD must reduce employees noise exposure below an 8 hr TWA of 85 dB. www.amienvironmental.com

Hearing Protection UseVoluntary UseExposed to an 8 hr TWA of 85 dBMandatory UseExposed to an 8 hr TWA of 90 dBExposed to an 8 hr TWA of 85 dB but have not had a baseline hearing testEmployees who have suffered STS hearing loss an dare exposed to an 8 hr TWA of 85 dBA


Employee Responsibility Understand the need for hearing protection devicesWear HPDs and seek replacementsEncourage co workers to wear HPDsCommunicate problems to supervisors www.amienvironmental.com

Management Responsibility Provide occupational noise training Provide hearing protection devices Demonstrate commitment (wear HPDs)Enforce the use of HPDSKeep up to date with HPD selection and use. Encourage questions and resolve problems.


Purpose of hearing protectors Reduction of sound waves traveling to the inner ear.


Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Types of Hearing ProtectorsEarplugsEarmuffsAdvantagesSmall & easily carried, convenient to use with other PPE, more comfortable in hot, humid work areas and convenient for use in confined work areas.AdvantagesLess attenuation variably among users, designed so that one size fits most hat sizes, may be worn with minor ear infections and not easily misplaced or lost.Disadvantages Require more time to fit, difficult to insert or remove, may irritate the ear canal, easily misplace, more difficult to see and monitor use, get dirty when your hands are dirty.DisadvantagesHeavier, less portable, inconvenient for use with other PPE, uncomfortable in hot humid work areas, inconvenient for use in confined areas.www.amienvironmental.com

Attenuation of Different Types of Hearing ProtectorsEar Plugs Reduce noise by as much as 30 decibels Ear CanalsReduce noise by as much as 30 decibels Used when individual is unable to use traditional ear plugsEar Muffsreduce noise by as much as 15-30 decibelsUse in conjunction with ear plugs when exposed to high noise levels (105+ decibels)


Instructions on Selection, Fitting, Use, and Care of Hearing Protectors EarplugsKeep clean and free of materials Wash in mild liquid detergent and warm water Squeeze excess water and air dry Discard plugs when hardened or do not re expandEar CanalsClean like normal ear plugsDo not tamper with the headband and the acoustic seal www.amienvironmental.com

Instructions on Selection, Fitting, Use, and Care of Hearing Protectors Ear MuffsKeep clean and free of debris Clean cushions with warm soapy waterDo not tamper with the acoustic seal between the cushions and the headband Do not modify the ear muffs in any wayDo not stretch or abuse the headband www.amienvironmental.com

Training Provide annually to employees who are exposed to noise at or above 8 hr TWA of 85 dB. Topics must includeEffects of Noise on HearingPurpose of Hearing protectors Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Types of Hearing Protectors Instruction on Selection, Fitting, Use, of Hearing ProtectorsPurpose of Audiometric Testing www.amienvironmental.com

Questions & AnswersQ & Awww.amienvironmental.com


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Occupational Noise