NOISE AT WORKBy: Muhammad Abbas Khan Quality, Health, Safety and Environment

NOISE AT WORK

Can You Imagine?Not being able toHear what the other person is saying?Listen to the sound of music?Listen to the sound of nature?

Being afflicted withUncomfortable ringing in your ears?Abnormal sounds that interfere with your sleep?

ContentsWhat is NoiseDamagesNoise LevelsMeasurement of Noise LevelControl Of NoiseHearing Protection

What is noise?Unpleasant or unwanted soundWhen unwanted noise gets loud enoughIt is unpleasantIt is distractingIt is tiring & stressfulHigher levels cause permanent hearing damage

Likelihood of Damage

Depends mainly on:Volume (loudness)Frequency (pitch)Exposure time

Damage can include:Temporary hearing losshearing returns after a short period away from noisePermanent hearing lossPermanent damage or destruction of hair cells in the ears. Hearing cannot be restored

Signs of developing hearing loss

Inability to hear soft or high pitched soundsTrouble understanding conversation at a distance or in a crowdRinging in the earsOthers can hear something you cant

Noise Levels

Ear is most sensitive to normal frequency soundThe dBA scale takes this into account when measuring noise levels

Measurement of Noise Loudness is measured in decibels170 dB Jet airliner120 dBRiveting hammer110 dBShouting loudly 70 dBStreet sounds 38 dBQuiet bedroomThis is a logarithmic scale an increase of 1dB means about 30% more noise

Action and Limit ValuesLower action value (LAV)80dBA 8hrs Peak 135dBAUpper action value (UAV)85dBA 8hrs Peak 137dBAExposure limit value (ELV)87dBA 8hrs Peak 140dBACan take account of hearing protection

If your average daily exposure is over 80dB(A)You should be aware of the risks to your hearing from noise and how you can reduce those risks.Make hearing protective equipment available

You must: Try to reduce noise at sourceUse hearing protection & insist other to use it.Identify & sign ear protection zones.Conduct noise assessments & keep records of them.

If your average daily exposure is over 85dB(A)

If your average daily exposure is over 87dB(A)This is a maximum & must not be exceededNoise to the ear must be reducedPreferably at sourceOtherwise by hearing protection

Control of Noise

Preferably eliminate or reduce it at source egMaintenance & lubricationAnti-vibration mountingSound absorbing materialsEnclosureReducing exposure time

Hearing protectionEar PlugsMust be kept clean (many are single use)Must be put in properly (there is a special technique)Generally comfortable to wear especially in hot weather

Hearing protectionEar MuffsMust fit snugly one size fits most peopleGenerally very effective if worn properly beware of glassesTend to be uncomfortable in hot weatherSpecial types available eg. for wearing safety helmets, for workers near high voltageCan be shared but cleaning routine required

Hearing protectionThe effectiveness of hearing protection varies according to type, manufacture and correct wearing.Most will reduce noise at the ear by about 15 - 20dBADont over-protect or warnings may not be audible

Hearing protection

Try to limit your time in noisy areasRemember the effect is cumulative

What you need to know You do not get used to noise - you go deaf A hearing aid will not help and there is no cure Hearing Loss is not an immediate effect - it happens over time Exposure to noise now could affect your hearing later in Life, which compounds the normal effects of age on hearing Exposure to noise happens all the time - not just at work and the effects are cumulative.

Dont take noise for granted!

Hearing damage creeps up on youOnce it has happened, there is no cure

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