NOISE

AWARENESS
To inform workers who are exposed or may be
exposed to high noise on:

criteria of noise, its sources and effects to

health

how to protect workers from noise and its

effects

requirements of Factories and

Machinery (Noise Exposure)
Regulations 1989
A. Regulatory Requirements

B. What is Noise?

C. Noise Monitoring

D. Audiometric Test

E. How to Protect Yourself?

 Permissible Exposure Limit

Noise level for 8-hour shift not exceeding

equivalent continuous sound level of 90 dB(A).
Intermittent noise not exceeding 115 dB(A) at
any time.
Impulsive noise not exceeding a peak sound
pressure level of 140 dB.

NOTE: Action level of 85 dB(A)

 Continuous Noise

dB(A)

time
 Intermittent Noise

dB(A)
>1 sec.

time
 Impulsive Noise

dB

>1 sec.

time
Sound : can be detected by human ear through wave
movement in the air
Frequency : number of variation of the sound wave per
second
: audible sound for human is 20 – 20,000 Hz
(conversation frequency is 0.5 - 3 kHz)
One Cycle

A
Frequency

Frequency B > Frequency A

 Noise : any unwanted sound. It is measured in units
called “decibels” or “dB”. For human, we use A-
weighted dB.

If two people 3 feet apart must shout to

be heard, the background noise is too
loud (above 85 dB).
Sound level dB(A) Activities
20 Quiet bedroom
50 Insulated lounge
65 Normal conversation
80 Manual machining
110 Power saw
125 Firecrackers (Pain Begins)
145 Jet plane taking off
PINNA
Normal Cochlea Damaged
Cochlea
High frequency noise is more damaging.

The effects slowly progress with time.

Harmful effects can be:

➢ Auditory (ear damage)
➢ Non-auditory
 Auditory (Ear Damage)
Loss of hearing begins at high frequency (4 kHz) and moves slowly
to conversation frequency (0.5 – 3 kHz)

Temporary Threshold Shift

subtle changes in sensory (hair) cells
recovery up to 48 hours after removal from noise

Permanent/Standard Threshold Shift

no recovery after removal from noise

Tinnitus
subjective sensation of noise in ears / head
constant high pitch ringing / hissing / whistling / buzzing

Noise Induced Hearing Loss

permanent damage of hair cells
irreversible
 Non-Auditory

Reduces quality of life

Psychological:
Annoyance and stress
Disrupt concentration, sleep or relaxation

Increase heart rate → leads to cardio vascular

diseases
 Factors Affecting Hearing Loss
Loudness of noise or the sound level (e.g. impulsive
noise above 140 dBA will cause immediate damage to
cells in the ear)

Frequency or pitch: higher frequency more damaging

Length of daily exposure

Duration of exposure in years

Individual susceptibility

Other factors (e.g. age, disease, lifestyle, genetic,

chemical)
The table below shows noise levels and how long a
person can be exposed without hearing
protection before there is damage to the ear.
Noise Level (dBA) Maximum Exposure Time

85 16 hours

90 8 hours

95 4 hours

100 2 hours

105 1 hour

110 30 minutes

115 15 minutes
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TABLE OF
CONTENTS
 OBJECTIVES

To identify areas and machinery that emit

excessive noise level.

To identify and classify exposed workers

according to their work and work areas.

To map a noise contour to identify the

existing noise pattern.
 TYPES OF NOISE MONITORING

Area Monitoring

An initial walk around the work areas to identify noise

sources and the type of noise using a Sound Level
Meter.

Personal Monitoring

Investigation of the 8-hr TWA Sound Level on individual

worker.
Carried out after proper classification and selection of
employees working in high noise exposure areas.
 EXPOSURE MONITORING FREQUENCY

Initial
within 6 months from the date the Regulations take effect.

Positive
within 6 months from the date of receipt of the results of
the initial employee exposure monitoring.

Additional
If there has been a production, process, equipment, control
measures or personnel change in the factory, the occupier
shall conduct additional monitoring within six months from
the date of such change or changes.
 WHAT IS AUDIOMETRIC TEST?

A test to determine employee’s hearing

threshold or ability

WHY IS AUDIOMETRIC TEST PERFORMED?

Establish workers’ hearing status

Identify individuals susceptible to noise
Monitor hearing trend
 WHO NEED TO BE TESTED?

All employees who are exposed to

noise level ≥ action level (85
dBA) for 8 hours
 WAY FORWARD
If Permanent Threshold Shift Occurs

OHD to notify
✓ employer
✓ DOSH Director General

Employer
✓ inform employee the retest result within 3 weeks
✓ provide employee with HPD, if it has not been
provided
✓ refit and retrain employee in the use of HPD
Elimination

Substitution

Isolation

Engineering Control

Administrative Control

Hearing Protection Devices

Protect your hearing because once it’s
gone, you will never get it back…..

THANK YOU