BORCELLE

CASE STUDY 6: FACTORY

NOISE EXPOSURE
WORKERS IN A FACTORY USE NOISY
MACHINES, WHICH CAUSES HEARING LOSS
FROM NOISE EXPOSURE. THE FACTORY
MANAGEMENT WANTS TO REDUCE NOISE AND
IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE HEALTH AND
SAFETY OF THE WORKERS LEVELS OF
EXPOSURE.

22 million workers, according to the Centers for

Disease Control (CDC), are exposed to each year,
potentially harmful noise at work. Whether you
are employed at a sporting event, on a runway, or
use a jackhammer—hearing damage can be
avoided.
If any of the following apply to your workplace:

Hear ringing or humming in your ears

when you leave work.
Have to shout to be heard by a
coworker an arm's length away.
Experience temporary hearing loss
when leaving work.
 ONE OF THESE IS THE SOUND LEVEL
METER APP FROM THE NATIONAL
INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
AND HEALTH (NIOSH).
TOOL THAT MEASURES SOUND LEVELS IN
THE PUBLIC CAN BE DOWNLOADED ON
MOBILE IOS DEVICES. AND OFFERS NOISE
EXPOSURE GUIDELINES TO LESSEN
OCCUPATIONAL NOISE-INDUCED HEARING
DAMAGE.

Standards
When noise exposure is
present, OSHA mandates that
businesses develop a hearing
conservation program.
over 8 working hours, or an 8-
hour time-weighted average, at
Construction Service. or above 85 decibels (TWA).

Health and Effects

The nerve endings in our inner ear are destroyed by loud
noise exposure. More exposure will lead to more
dying nerve cells. As a result, there is a permanent loss of
hearing that cannot be treated with surgery or medication.
Your capacity to hear high frequency noises and
comprehend speech is severely hampered by noise-
induced hearing loss, which also seriously affects your
ability to communicate. Although they may be helpful,
hearing aids cannot fix your hearing problems.

Exposure & Controls

utilizing quieter machines, isolating the noise source,
restricting worker exposure, or utilizing efficient
protection equipment are all ways to avoid hearing
loss and manage worker exposure to excessive
noise.
Hearing Conservation Program
Hearing conservation programs strive to prevent initial occupational
hearing loss, preserve and protect remaining hearing, and equip workers
with the knowledge and hearing protection devices necessary to
safeguard themselves. Employers are required to measure noise levels;
provide free annual hearing exams, hearing protection, and training; and
conduct evaluations of the adequacy of the hearing protectors in use
(unless changes made to tools, equipment, and schedules result in
worker noise exposure levels that are less than the 85 dBA).

Hearing Loss in Construction

Noise and hearing conservation is addressed in specific
standards for Construction. Provides information related to
noise in construction including OSHA'S noise construction
regulations, national consensus standards and
recommendations from other professional organízations,
health effects and general resources. Methods of noise control
Workplace noise can be controlled
in three ways:

at the source of the noise

along the path between the
source and the worker; and
lastly
at the worker's Location
Who is responsible for
controlling hazardous noise?
Understanding that there are two types of noise:
occupational noise and environmental noise different
problems. They must be taken into account both
separately and jointly.

People running a business or undertaking (PCBUS) who

own, employ, or manage machinery or equipment used in
the construction business shall, to the extent practical,
guarantee that.the machinery or plant operates below the
permissible level of noise exposure.

PCBUS that manages or oversees workplaces must

also make sure that all When practically possible, a
plant or piece of equipment operates below the noise
exposure standard practicable.
 For most jurisdictions, this
WHY IS IT occupational exposure
limit is 85 decibels (A-
IMPORTANT TO USE weighted) or dBA.
HEARING Hearing protectors reduce
the noise exposure level
PROTECTION IN A and the risk of hearing
loss when worn correctly.
NOISY WORKPLACE? If hearing protection is
required, then a complete
hearing conservation
program should be
implemented.
 Reduce equipment noise by
WHAT ARE THE THINGS replacing worn, loose, or
TO CONSIDER TO AVOID unbalanced machine parts.
HEARING PROBLEMS Keepequipment well lubricated and
WHILE IN THE maintained, Use hearing protection
WORKPLACE? devices (such as earplugsand
earmuffs) when you cannot avoid
loud sounds. Make hearing
protection
WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING THE THE
EFFECTS OF SOUND NOISE IN THE WORKPLACE?

Hearing damage and other health issues can

result from excessive noise in the workplace.
Typically, high frequency sound processing
areas of the ear are the first to be impacted.
The How long you are exposed to the noise
and how loud it is determine how much
hearing loss you may have.