Health and Safety Noise Hazards at the Workplace
Elimination of noise is the very best approach to prevent threats to workers and should be contemplated when new equipment is purchased or secured for offices. Low sound equipment ought to be selected when possible. A project manager or even the equivalent person is responsible for demonstrating that equipment noise levels are thought to be part of this selection procedure. Site management should monitor activities and determine when sound tests are required. As a guideline if 2 people stood 2m apart need to raise their voices to be heard then a potential noise problem exists and also an appraisal should be made (all machinery emitting over 85dB (A) needs to be regarded as a noise risk).
Occupational sound tests should be performed by a competent person using a calibrated noise meter and will incorporate an octave band analysis. A results sheet needs to be utilized for this objective. Where a noise problem is identified most of practical steps should be used to decrease the noise at source and ought to think about both workplace and equipment design and maintenance.
Engineering controls to include this may involve isolation of this foundation (enclosure, vibration damping), reduction at source or in path (enclosure, barriers, mufflers), replacement or alteration of machines (electric as opposed to pneumatic) and carrying out effective preventative maintenance (restriction work-place zones and so on ).
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as earplugs and earmuffs should be used as a very last resource, after all efforts to get rid of or decrease the origin of the noise are exhausted. Ear protection ought to be selected from the approved PPE list and should be appropriate for the type and term of the noise, be compatible with other PPE and properly maintained and preserved.
Personnel should be provided either suitable hearing protection in order that they could select the most comfortable option. Training should be given in its use, maintenance and storage. At the reduce Exposure Action Value of 80dB suitable ear protection ought to be offered. All individuals should be informed of this noise hazard. At the Upper Exposure Action Value 85 dB proper ear protection should be offered and needs to be worn in the Occupational Safety Zones. Generator Enclosure needs to be plainly marked with all the conventional white and blue ear protection logo hints.
Health surveillance ought to be undertaken where workers are regularly exposed above the Upper Exposure Action Values (85 dB and 137 dB summit noise) or if workers are sporadically exposed above the Upper Exposure Action Value, particularly if individuals are particularly sensitive to noise, have a family history of the hazard or have previous ailments. All employees should receive information and training to help them deal with the noise related risks. This should include, but not be restricted to the risks faced (as well as the measures required to eradicate or reduce them), the outcome of the hazard assessment with noise measurements and noise control and hearing security measures, including restricted areas and PPE.
Documentation regarding the noise hazards should be retained at a work website. In bigger businesses, upon finishing the project all information should be archived at the provider's head office including noise risk evaluations, induction and briefing records, PPE difficulty records, health surveillance records along with noise monitoring/measurements.
