bedok safety group seminar on industrial health - 21...

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A Great Workforce A Great WorkplaceA Great Workforce A Great Workplace

Dr. Lucy LeongOccupational Safety And Health Division

Bedok Safety Group Seminar on Industrial Health21st October 2010

© 2010 Government of Singapore 1



Scope of talk• Health Effects of Noise

• Hearing conservation programme• Hearing conservation programme

• Noise Induced Deafness Prevention Programme (NIDPP)


Bedok Safety Group Seminar on Industrial Health - 21 October 2010

Health Effects of Noise and Its Management - by Dr Lucy Leong

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What is noise?

• Sound is the sensation produced by stimulation of the organs of hearing by vibrations transmitted through the air or other medium.

• A form of energy

• Combination of a number of pitch or frequencies measured in hertz (Hz)

• Noise is sound that is loud, unpleasant, unexpected, or


undesired.

– Continuous

– Intermittent

– Impact


The Ear And Hearing (The ear: An Analog – Digital device)

Sound Energy

Outer ear (pinna + ear canal)

Ear drum (tympanic membrane)

Middle ear(ossicles → round window)

Cochlea (hearing apparatus in inner ear)

Gather and amplify sound

T d ti f


(hearing apparatus in inner ear)

Hair cells (cilia) on cochleaSitting on a stiff membrane

Send eletrical signals to nerves

Brain

Transduction of sound



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What happens in Noise Induced Deafness?Excessive Sound Energy

Damage to blood supply of cochliear ciliaof cochliear cilia

Cilia become stiff

Cilia die

Loss of Rootlet


Loss of Rootlet structures

Progressive hearing loss and deafness

Occupational exposure to noise : evaluation, prevention and control. Goelzer, Berenice.; Hansen, Colin H.; Sehrndt, Gustav A. World Health Organisation / Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (Germany)


Symptoms of NIDEarly Stage:

Exposure to loud noise over a few years• No difficulty in hearing

• Affected workers may have ringing in the ears which interfere with daily activities, like telephone conversation and sleep

Late Stage

Exposure to loud noise over many years• Experience difficulty in hearing telephone and ordinary


conversation

• Difficulty in hearing words and speech clearly especially in a group

• Tends to speak loudly

• Others complain that volume of TV & radio that you tune in is too loud



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Diagnosis of NID• Early NID can only be detected by hearing

tests

• Workers should undergo regular hearing tests (audiometric examinations) if theytests (audiometric examinations) if they are exposed to noise levels above the permissible exposure levels

• The hearing test should be done at least 16 hours after the workers was last exposed to noise to be accurate

• A pre‐employment test acts as baseline


A pre employment test acts as baseline. Regular tests serve to monitor the progression of NID

• Audiometry should be done by a person who has undergone an approved training course


Legal responsibilitiesWSH (Risk Management) Regulations

– Risk Assessment

– Reduction of risk using hierarchy of controls

Factories (Noise) RegulationsFactories (Noise) Regulations– Noise monitoring reports – submission once in 3 years

– Noise control officer if more than 50 workers are exposed to noise

Factories (Medical Examinations) Regulations– Pre‐employment medical examinations

– Annual medical examinations

• By designated factory doctors (DFDs)

• Including audiometric examinations


• Including audiometric examinations

Workplace Safety and Health (Incident Reporting) Regulations– Notification of workers diagnosed with Noise Induced Hearing loss to MOM

through iReport (no minimum MC requirement)

– At http://www.mom.gov.sg/ireport

Work Injury Compensation Act– Severe hearing loss is compensable



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Factories (Noise ) RegulationsAim:

To control noise in factories and conserve the hearing of workers

Application:Application:All factorieswhere any machinery, equipment or process used is likely to expose any person to excessive noise

Reg 2(2) - DefinitionsExcessive noiseA person shall be deemed to be exposed to excessive noise where the noise he would be exposed to, if he was not wearing any hearing protector exceeds permissible exposure limit


protector, exceeds permissible exposure limit.

Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):Equivalent sound pressure level of 85 dB(A) over an 8 hour work day.


1st Schedule – Permissible Exposure LimitSound Pressure Level (dBA) Duration per day

85 8 hours88 4 hours

Criterion Criterion levellevel

Criterion Criterion timetime

91 2 hours94 1 hour97 30 minutes100 15 minutes103 7.5 minutes106 4 minutes

3dB exchange rate


109 2 minutes112 56 seconds

115 or more 30 seconds

Factories (Noise) Regulations, First Schedule

No exposure to noise above 140 dBA is allowed



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Hearing Conservation Programme (HCP)



HCP Element 1 HCP Element 1

‐‐ Identification of Noise Identification of Noise Hazards & Evaluation of Noise Hazards & Evaluation of Noise

RiskRisk




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Risk Assessment

Qualitative Site inspection

Assessment

Quantitative

The 1 arm’s length rule

Noise Monitoring


Quantitative Assessment

Noise Monitoring

Competent Person

Calibrated equipment


WSH (Risk Management) Regulations• Taken effect on 1 Sept 2006

• Risk assessment to be conducted and documented for all work processes, including noisy processes

• Risk assessment is reviewed once every 3 years and upon occurrence of bodily injury or significant change in work process

Severity of Noise Induced Deafness (NID)

Likelihood:• Consider existing controlsW k

Average


• Work conditions & procedures

Noise Exposure (dBA)

Risk of NID (%)*

80 185 890 25

*NIOSH, CDC, USA: Occupational Noise Exposure: Criteria for a recommended standard, revised 1998.

Excess risk of hearing impairment at age 60 after a 40 year lifetime exposure to occupational noise.



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Factories (Noise) Regulations – Noise Monitoring

Reg 6(1)• Factories with 10 or more workers exposed to excessive

noise must conduct noise monitoringnoise must conduct noise monitoring

• Noise monitoring to be conducted:

– at least once every 3 years; or

– whenever there is any change in process, machines or equipment

Purposes:Q if i h d d id if d l


• Quantify noise hazards and identify exposed employees• Evaluate effectiveness of control measures implemented• Delineate hearing protection areas



Reg 6(2)The occupier or employer must :

• appoint a competent person to conduct the monitoring& prepare a report

• communicate the contents of the report to the exposed persons

• send a copy to the Commissioner

• keep the report for > 10 years


Competent person (NMO): Attended and passed the Noise Monitoring Course conducted by approved training providers

Noise Monitoring: •Correct methodology• Appropriate instrumentation• Representative sampling



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2nd Schedule ‐ Noise Monitoring ReportThe Second Schedule standardises the format for reporting.

It requires :

• a noise map indicating all noisy areas ( > 85 dBA )

• list of noisy processes/machinery

• no of persons exposed & their job description

• Leq,T, duration of exposure, and Leq,8h

for each job classification




‐‐Noise ControlNoise Control




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Reg 4(1) ‐ Duties of Occupier & EmployerThe occupier or employer must take all practicable measures to control noise from any machinery equipment or process such that

Factories (Noise) Regulations – Noise Control

control noise from any machinery, equipment or process such that no worker is exposed to excessive noise

Reg 4(2) ‐Measures to Control Noise• Substitution • isolators

• positioning of machines • sound shielded room

• segregation of machines • absorbing materials

• enclosures • silencers / mufflers


enclosures silencers / mufflers

• sound barriers • reduce height of fall for objects

• reduce air pressure • maintenance of machines

• reduce vibrating surface / apply damping materials


Reg 4(3) ‐ Administrative Noise Control Where noise reduction is not practicable the occupier or employer


Where noise reduction is not practicable, the occupier or employer must limit the duration of exposure to the noise so that no person is exposed to excessive noise

Reg 4(4) ‐ Restrict use of Noisy MachinesNo newmachinery, equipment or process shall be used if it will cause exposure of persons to excessive noise unless all applicablemeans are incorporated to reduce the noise




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Reg 4(5) ‐ Appoint Person to Advise on Noise ControlFactories with 50 or more workers exposed to excessive noise must

i t t t ith h lifi ti d i


appoint a competent person with such qualification and experience as the Commissioner may require, to give advice on all noise control measures

Competent person (NCO): Attended and passed the Industrial Noise Control Course conducted by approved

Requirement:• Identify noise sources• Determine appropriate and effective methods to

t l i


training providers control noise• Develop noise control plan and overlook the

implementation of the plan• Evaluate the effectiveness of noise control measures• Review and revise noise control plan based on risk

assessment and regular monitoring


Elimination and substitution• Replace noisy machines/equipments

Eli i t i

Hierarchy of Controls

• Eliminate noisy processes

Engineering control• Enclosures, barriers, silencers, mufflers,

isolators, damping, regular maintenance

Administrative control• Rotate employees to reduce exposure to

excessive noise ‐ reduce Leq to <85dBA

• Not foolproof – use only when engineering control is not feasible


control is not feasible

Hearing protection• Interim solution or last line of defense

• Address residual risk after engineering and administrative control

Three locations of noise control



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Noise Control Plan • Endorsed by management (commitment of implementation)

• Based on hierarchy of control

• States timeline and milestones for implementation and person responsible

• Provide interim measures while control is being implemented

• Prioritize control based on risk – highest noise, maximum no. of employees exposed

• Evaluate effectiveness – measure amount of attenuation achieved against target attenuation

• Address residual risk, e.g. use hearing protection

• Address additional risk, e.g. heat, ergonomics

Good Practices


• Consider noise emission levels during selection / procurement of machines

• Involve employees exposed to noise hazards in the development of control measure

• Perform noise monitoring to evaluate control measures post‐implementation

• Establish maintenance programme to ensure noise control measures remain effective

• Communicate proper use of the noise control measures to employees


Reg 5 ‐ Duties of Suppliers of Machines or Equipment Suppliers of machines and equipment that are likely to generate

i i h ll id i f i i h i l l


excessive noise, shall provide information concerning the noise leveland label them in the manner specified by the Commissioner

Warning LabelWarning Label• if machine is big, a permanent plate

attached or tagged to machine


• if machine is small, a sticker pasted on a flat surface of the machine

Hearing protectors must be worn



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HCP Element 3HCP Element 3

‐‐ Hearing ProtectorsHearing Protectors



Reg 7(1) Hearing protectors must be provided to all persons exposed or likely to be exposed to excessive noise

Factories (Noise) Regulations – Hearing Protectors

y p

The protectors must :

• fit the user

• attenuate the exposure below 85 dB(A)

• be compatible with the job requirements

• not prejudice the health and safety of the user

ORNoise Exposure L l 100 dB(A)


ORLevel <100 dB(A)

Noise Exposure Level >100 dB(A)

AND

Ear Muffs Can Be OR



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Reg 7(3) O i l t t bli h d i l t d t


Occupier or employer must establish and implement procedures to ensure :

• protectors are issued and maintained

• protectors are used

• proper use

Maintainance:R l l i f t ’ i t ti d t


• Regular cleaning as per manufacturer’s instruction and storage, e.g. washing after usage

• Regular inspection and replacement if defective, e.g. wear and tear and hardening of material

• Proper storage when not used


Suitable for use

• Compatible with other PPE, e.g. helmet, goggles

• Compatible with the working environment, e.g. dust, heat, etc

Selection of Hearing Protectors

Must not prejudice the health and safety of the user

• Must not hamper communication or impair hearing of warning signals – will discourage usage

Medical conditions

• Assess if user has any medical conditions that render him unsuitable for using hearing protectors


Ensure proper fitting:• Improper wearing of hearing protectors can lead to diminished hearing protection

Ensure usage at all times: • Removal of hearing protectors for even a short period of time can significantly reduce their effectiveness



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Reg 7(4) – Warning SignsOccupier or employer must put up warning signs at entrances to or


Occupier or employer must put up warning signs at entrances to or at the periphery of all areas in which persons are likely to be exposed to excessive noise, which indicate that hearing protectors must be worn


Hearing protectors must be worn



‐‐ Training & EducationTraining & Education




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Reg 8(1) Occupier or employer must institute a training programme and

Factories (Noise) Regulations – Training

Occupier or employer must institute a training programme and ensure that all persons exposed to excessive noise attend the training.

Topics for training include :

• provisions of the Act and Regulations

• effects of noise on hearing

• purpose of hearing protectors & their selection, fitting &


p p g p , gcare

• purpose & procedures of hearing test


Reg 8(3) ‐ Training Frequency • The training must be conducted for exposed persons at least

once every 3 years, and

f l f l

Factories (Noise) Regulations – Training

• for new employees, within 3 months of employment

• Persons appointed for noise control and noise monitoring must attend approved training

Training Record• Employees trained• Instructor name• Training date


Promotional activities• Campaigns• Award schemes• Buddy system• Etc



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‐‐ Audiometric ExaminationAudiometric Examination



• Pre‐employment audiometric examinations conducted within 3 mths of commencement of work for all workers exposed to excessive noise

Factories (Medical Examinations) Regulations

excessive noise

• Yearly audiometric examinations conducted for all workers exposed to excessive noise

• Reports are submitted to MOM in the form of a Summary Report of examinations

• Reports are kept for at least 5 yrs.

Requirements


Requirements•Maintain a register of persons exposed to excessive noise•Examinations conducted by trained audiometric technician and DFD•Communicate results to employees•Counsel employees who show significant change in hearing loss•Review progression of hearing loss as part of programme review



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Duty to report occupational disease7.—(1) Where an employee suffers an occupational disease at a workplace, and the employer of that employee receives a written statement prepared by a registered

WSH (Incident Reporting) Regulations

Note

medical practitioner diagnosing the occupational disease, the employer shall, not later than 10 days after receipt of the written diagnosis, submit a report to the Commissioner.

•Notification to be made electronically at www.mom.gov.sg/ireport

•Employers to keep records of notification for 3 years


Note • There is no requirement for a minimum of MC days given. •All occupational diseases are to be reported. • Keep record of notifications• NID cases are a useful indicator of success of HCP


Duty to report occupational disease

7. (2) Any registered medical practitioner who diagnoses any employee ith ti l di h ll t l t th 10 d ft th


Note

with an occupational disease shall, not later than 10 days after the diagnosis, submit a report to the Commissioner

•Notification to be made electronically at www.mom.gov.sg/ireport

•Employers to keep records of notification for 3 years


Note • There is no requirement for a minimum of MC days given. •All occupational diseases are to be reported. •All registered medical practitioners may report, not only DFDs• Keep record of notifications•NID cases are a useful indicator of success of HCP



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Objective of a HCP• Minimize risks associated with occupational noise exposure

• Prevent noise induced hearing loss

When is a HCP required?When any person in the workplace is exposed toexcessive noise – an equivalent sound pressure level of 85 dB(A)or more, over an 8‐hour workday


Better Better management of noise management of noise hazardhazard prevents prevents (further) hearing loss!(further) hearing loss!


HCP structure

ProgrammeProgrammePlanningPlanning

WSH (RM) Reg

Noise Control Hearing Protection

Training & Education

Audiometric Examination

Identification of Noise Hazards &

Evaluation of Noise Risk Factories (Noise) Reg


Programme Programme EvaluationEvaluation

Record Keeping

Factories (Medical Examinations) RegNID

notification

WSH (IR) Reg



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Planning for a HCP

1. Establishment of a HCP teamAppropriate size

S&H l NMO NCO I d t i l H i i t I d t i l N E lS&H personnel, NMO, NCO, Industrial Hygienist, Industrial Nurse, Employees

2. Appointment of a HCP administratorCoordinate HCP

Monitor progress

Assess performance

Evaluate effectiveness

Pre-requisites:Elements of HCPProvisions of the WSHA and relevant


Review HCP regularly

Ensure objectives are metRegulationsEffects of noise on hearingPurpose of hearing protectors and audiometric examinationsSoft skills – team management and communications


Planning for a HCP3. Development of a HCP Policy

Demonstrates management’s commitment

Promotes safety and health culturePromotes safety and health culture

Defines roles and responsibilities

Adopts schedule for monitoring employees’ exposure

Noise monitoring and audiometric examinations

Commits resources for acquiring equipments and providing training

Sets programme targets

Requires the consistent and proper use of hearing protectors

Guidance for acquiring machineries


Guidance for acquiring machineries

Etc, etc…



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Identification of Noise Hazards & Evaluation of Noise Risk

Noise Control

4. Proper Implementation of the HCP

Noise Control

Hearing Protection

Training & Education

Audiometric Examination

5. Evaluation of HCP

Assess the completeness and quality of the HCP elements


Analysis of employees’ audiometric test recordsGather feedback from the employees

Clearly defined policy + Proper implementation = Effective HCP


Hearing Conservation Programme (HCP)Overview

Identify noise hazardsRisk Assessment

Elimination

Engineering controls

Substitution

PPE (hearing protection)

•Administrative Measures•Training & Education

Annual Cases of

Risk Control


Annual Audiometric

Examinations

Cases of Occupational

Disease

Record keeping Gaps/ deficienciesEvaluate results

Monitoring and Feedback



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Examples of Noise Control ImplementationExamples of Noise Control Implementation

Substitution

90 dBA 83 dBA


The jack hammer (left photo) was substituted with an automated machine (right photo) to break down the concrete wall.


Substitution



Substitution of a Drop-hammer piling with Hydraulic jack-in piling

87 dBA 78 dBA



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112 dBA 80 dBA

EngineeringControl

EngineeringControl


The expansion chamber (right photo) was installed at the outlet of the calibration nozzle (left photo) to reduce the noise generated by the air jet at the nozzle.



EngineeringControl

85 dBA 78 dBA


The noise generating chamber blast pot (left photo) was completely enclosed (right photo).



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Engineering Control



A partial enclosure which allows for heat dissipation was constructed for the generator set using canvas and polyurethane foam. The exhaust duct of the generator was lined with polyurethane foam to further reduce the noise generated.

87 dBA 80 dBA


Noise Control Measures – Maintenance

• Replacement of worn & loose machine parts

• Adjustment of unbalanced parts

• Lubrication of cutting parts


• Use of cutting fluids

• Properly shaped and sharpened cutting tools



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NoiseNoise‐‐Induced Deafness Induced Deafness Prevention Programme Prevention Programme

(NIDPP)(NIDPP)



Occupational Disease Statistics 2009

NID, 380, 81%Total of 468 cases of Occupational Disease in 2009

‐ NID accounted for 81% (380 cases) All ODs

ID, 56, 12%

NID accounted for 81% (380 cases)‐ Occupational skin disease 12% (56 cases)‐ Excessive absorption of chemicals – 3% (16 cases)

SSR, 24, 6% Manufact

Of the NID cases, Manufacturing accounted for 67% of cases (256) of which

Metalworking accounted for 35% of cases (133)

All ODs


6% Manufacturing except

SSR, 256, 67%Others ,

86, 23%

( )Shipbuilding & Ship repairing for 6% of cases (24)Manufacture and repair of aircraft for 17% of cases (67)Logistics for 14% (54)

Construction accounted for 4% of cases (14)

NIDs only



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NID trends since 1995

1200

1400

Workplace Safety and Health ActWSH (Incident Reporting)

600

800

1000



0

200

400

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Factories (Noise) Regulations


5‐year programme (2007 to 2011) to reduce the incidence of NID in

Singapore

Outreach to Industry

Raising awareness of workplace noise hazard and its prevention

Noise Hazard Management

Managing noise hazards

Strengthen Legislative Requirements and Enforcement

• Review of WSH (Noise) Regulations

• PROBE


through implementation of an effective Hearing Conservation Programme (HCP)

Building Competencies• Sharing of best practices

http://www.casestudy.mom.gov.sg/casestudy/default.jsp• Enhancing NM and NC courses



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bedok safety group seminar on industrial health - 21...

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