1- hearing conservation standard

NOISE CONTROL AND HEARING CONSERVATION STANDARD

HSE-ST-020

GASCO HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT DIVISION

CONTROLLED INTRANET COPY

Policy & Strategic Objectives

Organization, Resources & Competence

Risk Evaluation & Management

Planning, Standards & Procedures

Implementation & Monitoring

Audit

Management Review

Leadership & Commitment

CORRECTIVE ACTIONS

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

Policy & Strategic Objectives

Organization, Resources & Competence

Risk Evaluation & Management

Planning, Standards & Procedures

Implementation & Monitoring

Audit

Management Review

Leadership & Commitment

CORRECTIVE ACTIONS

CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT

GASCO HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT DIVISION

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Rev: 0 Date : 07/2011 NOISE CONTROL AND HEARING

CONSERVATION STANDARD HSE-ST-020

REVISION INFORMATION AND AUTHORITY FOR ISSUE

DATE REVISION

NUMBER CHANGE

REFERENCE

SECTION(S)

REASON FOR CHANGE

AUTHORITY FOR ISSUE

07/2011 Rev-00 Initial Issue New CEO


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

DESCRIPTION PAGE #

1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 5

2. PURPOSE ............................................................................................................... 5

3. SCOPE AND APPLICATION ................................................................................... 5

4. TERMS AND DEFINITIONS .................................................................................... 5

5. DOCUMENT CHANGE / CONTROL ....................................................................... 6

6. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES .......................................................................... 6

6.1 HSE Division ................................................................................................ 6

6.2 Plants, Pipelines and Projects (Major and Technical) Divisions .............. 6

6.3 Human Capability Division .......................................................................... 6

6.4 Employee ..................................................................................................... 6

7. REQUIREMENTS .................................................................................................... 7

7.1 Absolute Noise Limit ................................................................................... 7

7.2 Noise Risk Assessment .............................................................................. 7

7.3 Assessment of Noise Levels....................................................................... 7

7.4 Assessment of Noise Dose ......................................................................... 8

7.5 Noise Level Contour Map (Isopleth Map) ................................................... 8

7.6 Hearing Protection Zone ............................................................................. 8

7.7 Hearing Protection Devices ........................................................................ 9

7.8 Audiometry (Hearing Test) .......................................................................... 9

7.9 Records ........................................................................................................ 9

7.10 Reporting ..................................................................................................... 9

8. COMPETENCY AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS ............................................. 10

9. PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT / INDICATORS ............................................. 10

10. REFERENCES ...................................................................................................... 10

11. USER FEEDBACK ................................................................................................ 11

APPENDIX – A: WARNING SIGNPOST AND FLOOR MARKING (SAMPLE) ............................. 12

APPENDIX – B: RECORDS........................................................................................................... 13

APPENDIX – C: DOCUMENT CHANGE / INITIATION REQUEST FORM ................................... 14


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Noise is defined as unwanted sound. It is a physical health hazard and can be described as:

Loud noise (above 85 decibel) that can cause hearing loss (called Noise Induced Hearing Loss).

Loud noise could be steady (continuous) or impulse type.

Nuisance noise that does not affect on hearing but may interfere with verbal communication, mental concentration and personal comfort.

GASCO Health Risk Assessment Reports [qualitative (2008) and quantitative (2010)] have identified loud noise as a significant health risk at GASCO operations. Therefore, implementing a continuous and effective strategy for controlling noise at workplace and conducting health surveillance by implementing a Hearing Conservation Programme is essential.

The purpose of this STANDARD is to provide minimum mandatory requirements for controlling loud noise and implementing an effective Hearing Conservation Programme.

The Scope includes controlling of work related loud noise generated by machinery, equipment, or tools within GASCO area of influence.

The STANDARD is applicable to GASCO employees and Contractor staff who are exposed to loud noise.

Term Definition

Decibel (dB) A measure of noise level or intensity that is based on a logarithmic scale – for audiometric purposes, zero is set as a threshold (the lowest level) of average normal hearing.

dB(A) A method for adjusting the measured sound frequency to compensate for the human ear’s lack of sensitivity to sound at certain frequencies.

Steady Noise A sound with negligibly small fluctuations of level within the period of observation.

Impulse Noise A sound consisting of one or more bursts of sound energy each of duration less than about 1 second.

Noise Dose This is defined as the A-weighted equivalent sound pressure level received by a person over a working day.


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The custodian of this document is GASCO Vice President HSE Division [VP (HSE)].

This document shall be reviewed by HSE Division as and when required but not less than once in three years.

For proposed changes, modifications and/or cancellation of this document refer to Section 11.

The Vice President is responsible for providing advice to enable effective implementation of the STANDARD and in particular:

Incorporating necessary changes to this STANDARD in accordance with legal and ADNOC Codes of Practice requirements and industrial best practices;

Conducting audits to ensure effectiveness of the application of the STANDARD;

Providing advice on any changes in exposure limits of noise and applicable control measures;

Providing advice on developing training/awareness programme and competency requirements;

Providing advice on medical surveillance and exposure monitoring studies.

The Vice Presidents shall ensure that:

Procedures and practices are in place to enable the requirements to be achieved in accordance with the STANDARD;

Resources are made availability and roles, responsibilities and accountabilities are defined for implementing the STANDARD.

The Vice President is responsible for:

Ensuring that a copy of pre-employment medical record, particularly audiogram, is available in medical file of employee at each site

Providing following annual statistical data to HSE Division:

o Number of employees identified as work-related noise induced hearing loss;

o Number of employees whose work-related noise induced hearing loss has worsened since their previous audiogram.

Employee is responsible for:

Following safe work practices that reduce or prevent occupational noise exposure;


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Attending trainings required by Hearing Conservation Programme;

Participating in the audiometric testing upon advise of supervisor;

Wearing correctly properly fitted hearing protection when necessary;

Caring and maintaining hearing protection device as per the procedure;

Observing rules pertaining to hearing conservation;

Notifying his Supervisor when conditions, practices, or equipments are changed that may result in increased noise levels.

Noise control criteria shall be used at design stage in compliance with the requirements given in the Design General Specification (DGS) [Ref. 1, 2, 3]. The recommended work area noise level limit at design is 85 dB(A) at 1m distance.

Noise shall be reduced to the lowest practicable level and shall be controlled as per the following hierarchy of control:

1) Design

2) Technical Solutions

3) Maintenance

4) Administration controls

5) PPE

Under foreseeable working conditions, no persons shall be exposed to steady noise levels above 115 dB(A) irrespective of duration, or to impulse noise levels above 135 dB(A), with or without hearing protection (Ref-4).

The noise dose of employee shall not exceed 85 dB(A) over a working day (Ref-4).

Any modifications in the process/plant shall address the issue of noise and comply with the STANDARD requirements through Plant Change Request (PCR) system.

Noise risk assessment shall be part of activity risk assessment, supporting the Permit to Work (PTW) system.

The assessment of noise level for plant area and tools and equipment outside plant shall be carried out every five years or whenever process, plant or job-profiles change.

Noise level assessment shall be conducted by a competent person. (Ref-4 )

The methodology and measuring instruments for noise level assessment shall be used in compliance with the requirements given in ADNOC Code of Practice. (Ref-4)

All noisy (mobile and non-mobile) tools and equipments shall be checked for noise level and, if noise is above 80 dB, shall be labeled.


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Site OHRA report shall be referred to identify employee exposed to workplace noise above 80 dB (A);

o If personal noise dose is above 80 dB(A) – such workers should be registered for hearing test programme (section 7.8)

o If personal noise dose is likely to exceed 85 dB(A) – specify on work permit for mandatory use of hearing protection.

Noise dose assessment shall be conducted by a competent person. (Ref-4)

The methodology and measuring instrument for noise dose assessment shall compliance with requirements given in ADNOC Code of Practice. (Ref-4)

The re-assessment of noise dose shall be done at least every five years or earlier when there is a need of it e.g. exposure to high noise dose, employee compliant of hearing impairment, medical results shows hearing impairment, a case of hearing loss identified, etc.

Based upon the noise level assessment results, sites shall develop noise level contour map of plant area (on plot plan).

Noise contour map shall be developed to identify areas where:

o Steady noise levels exceed 80 dB(A), 85 dB(A), 90 dB(A), 100dB(A) and 115 dB(A);

o Impulse noise levels are above 135 dB(A).

Noise contour map shall be displayed at locations where employee can easily read it.

Noise contour map shall be reviewed and updated at least every five years or whenever process or plant change.

Plant areas shall be declared as ‘Hearing Protection Zone’ where noise level is at or above 85 dB(A).

Hearing Protection Zone(s) shall be marked by warning signpost (see Appendix –A).

Areas where noise levels are high, shall be demarcated as follows (see Appendix-A):

o at or above 85 dB(A) – area shall be marked by warning signpost(s) and / or floor marking (yellow colour boundary line).

o above 100 dB(A) – area shall be marked by warning signpost(s) and / or floor marking (red colour boundary line).

o above 115 dB(A) – area shall be marked by warning signpost(s) and / or floor marking (yellow-black stripes boundary line).

o Outside plant area, suitable arrangements shall be provided to ensure employee(s) are aware of requirement of wearing hearing protection e.g. labeling of tools with instructions of wearing hearing protection.


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Suitable and sufficient Hearing Protection Devices (HPD) i.e. earplugs and earmuffs, shall be made available for use in areas where noise level is above 80 dB(A).

Hearing protection device shall be worn in Hearing Protection Zone and where noise is at or above 85 dB(A).

Double protection (earplugs with ear muffs) shall be worn in areas where noise levels are above 100dB(A).

The minimum specifications for HPD shall comply with applicable CE, ISO, or ANSI standard or equivalent. (Ref-5, 6)

All hearing protection devices shall be approved by HSE Superintendent (or Project HSE for projects) for its suitability and adequacy for a particular job.

HPD shall be maintained as per the vendor’s recommendations.

Audiometry shall be carried out for employee who receives a personal noise dose of 80 dB(A) and above.

The schedule for conducting audiometry shall be followed as given below.

Noise Dose Frequency

< 80 dB(A) No audiogram

> 80 dB(A) Baseline audiogram before employment/placement in that particular job. The initial test should be repeated within a period of 6-12 months

80-95 dB(A) At least every two years

> 95 dB(A) At least yearly

The health surveillance for work-related noise induced hearing loss shall be carried out in accordance with the ADNOC Code of Practice. (Ref-7)

Any significant changes in audiogram shall be managed as per ADNOC Occupational Health Guideline. (Ref: 7)

Any case of work-related noise induced hearing loss shall be reported on GASCO Incident Reporting System and investigated similar to any damaging incident.

Record shall be kept as per Appendix-B.

Incidents related to exposure to high noise shall be reported through the GASCO Incident Reporting System (GIRS).


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Human Capability Division with coordination of sites shall report annually to HSE Division:

o Number of employees identified as work-related noise induced hearing loss

o Number of employees whose work-related noise induced hearing loss has worsened since their previous audiogram.

Employee exposed to noise above 80 dB(A) shall be enrolled in training as part of Hearing Conservation Program (HCP).

Training shall comply with the GASCO Training Specifications Standard (Ref. 8)

The competency of the trained people shall be assessed by the person appointed by the Line Management.

Performance indicators shall include:

Level - 2 HSE Compliance Audit with reference to this STANDARD and review of controls and barriers as prescribed in Qualitative Health Risk Assessment Report.

Reduction in the number of employees identified as work-related noise induced hearing loss in a year and those whose work-related noise induced hearing loss has worsened since their previous audiogram in a year.

# TITLE NUMBER

1. Plant Noise Control DGS 6000 001 - Rev 0 - 21/05/2001

2. Equipment Noise Control DGS 6000 002 - Rev 0 - 21/05/2001

3. Acoustic Insulation For Pipes,

Valves and Flanges DGS 6000 003 - Rev 0 - 21/05/2001

4. ADNOC Code of Practice Guideline: Noise Control and Hearing Conservation

ADNOC COPV3-10

5. ADNOC Code of Practice on OH Risk Management: Physical Agents

ADNOC COPV3-05

6. GASCO PPE Standard Draft-D

7. Occupational Health Guidelines ADNOC-COPV3-14

8. GASCO Training Specifications

Standard Draft-D

http://adnochsecop/ADNOC-HSE-STANDARDS/Approved/COP-VOLUME-3/ADNOC-COPV3-10_Ver-1_.pdf



http://adnochsecop/ADNOC-HSE-STANDARDS/Approved/COP-VOLUME-3/ADNOC-COPV3-05(Ver-1).pdf




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Users wishing to initiate changes, corrections or requesting that a new document be initiated must forward the Document Change / Initiation Request Form (DC/IR) as contained in this STANDARD (please refer Appendix-C), to HSE Division where it shall be assessed.

The originator of DC/IR may forward his request either through the Line Manager or directly to VP (HSE).


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EXTREME NOISE HAZARD

DOUBLE HEARING PROTECTION REQUIRED

WARNING

Warning signpost for Hearing Protection Zone where noise levels are above 85 decibel

Warning signpost for area where noise levels are above 115 decibels

Warning signpost for area where noise levels are above 100 decibel

CAUTION

HIGH NOISE HAZARD

HEARING PROTECTION

REQUIRED

Floor marking where noise levels are above 85 decibel



DANGER

EXTREME NOISE HAZARD

DO NOT ENTER THIS AREA


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The following record shall be kept for at least five years:

Assessment (including measurement) of sound levels and noise doses

Noise control measures

Individual cases of noise induced hearing loss

Calibration and maintenance of equipment used for noise measurement

Information and training programme

Issue of hearing protection device


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GASCO HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT DIVISION

DOCUMENT CHANGE REQUEST

Proposed / Existing Document Name: Document No.:

Existing Details requiring revision:

Proposed Change / Initiation:

Reason for Change / Initiation:

Requested by (Name)

Designation

Date

Document Controller

Request received on:

Reviewed on:

Reviewed by:

Review Comments:

Request Accepted YES NO

If ‘YES’ document updated and approved on:

If ‘NO’ justification for rejecting the proposal:

Requester advised of outcome by:

Name

Sign

Date

1- hearing conservation standard

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