Occupational Health and Safety
NOISE HAZARDSIN THE WORKPLACE
Presented by:
Erin, Lxxx,
Lxxx, Rxxxxxx, Pxxxxx
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Overview Background What is noise? Mechanics of hearing and types of hearing loss Identify Assessing the problem Legal considerations Control in the workplace HR Challenges Case Studies: Canadian National and Husky Injection Final Thought
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Background
As long as humans have had ears, they have had hearing loss
Noise became an issue in the workplace with the onset of the Industrial Revolution
Over 1,000,000 workers in Canada are exposed to noise in the workplace
Noise-induced hearing loss is the most prevalent, irreversible occupational hazard
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Background (cont.)
Ontario legislation for noise found in Industrial Establishments Section 139
Federal regulations set out in Canada Labour Code
In 2000, WSIB paid out almost $20M in noise-related claims 26% more than previous two years Noise is a growing concern in the workforce
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Noise
Noise is a physical agent. This means that it has physical energy resulting
from the vibration of an object and the subsequent movement of air molecules.
Noise is ambient.
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Noise vs. Sound
Sound is what we hear. Noise is unwanted sound. Ex. Rock music can be pleasurable to some,
annoying to others. In either case, it can be hazardous to a person’s hearing if the sound is loud, and if the listener is exposed long and often enough.
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How We Hear
Outer
Eardrum (middle ear)
Cochlea (inner ear)
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Types of Noise
Continuous: noise heard constantly throughout the shift
Intermittent: noise heard off and on throughout the shift
Impulse/Impact: a sudden, loud burst of noise of very short duration
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Assess
The first step in assessing noise exposure in the workplace is to conduct a noise survey.
Things to consider: Purpose of measurement (compliance with noise
regulations, hearing loss prevention, etc.) Noise patterns (where they occur in the workplace,
and how often) Locations of people who are exposed to the
hazard
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Exposure Limits in Ontario, Reg. 851; S.139(5)(b)
Column 1 Column 2
Sound level – in dB Duration – for 24h day
90929597
100102105110115
0ver 115
86432
1.51
0.50.25 or lessNo exposure
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Control At the source:
Engineering controls Designing quieter
machines Modifying existing
equipment Isolating vibrating parts
within a machine Add sound-absorbing
materials or mufflers Vibration padding
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Control
Along the path: Separate worker from
noise source Redesign floor plan of
work area Keep rest areas, lunch
rooms, etc. away from noise source
Erect sound barriers Use sound-absorptive
materials Acoustic tiles
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Control At the worker:
Job rotation Conduct noisy operations
during non-working hours Personal protective
equipment Earplugs, earmuffs Least costly method Most commonly used However, not always the
most effective!
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HR Challenges
Control at the source is generally the most expensive Involves heavy capital investment in new
equipment and machinery redesign HR must convince executives that this is a
necessary expense using a cost-benefit analysis Noise-based illness, absenteeism, worker’s
compensation costs
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HR Challenges (cont.)
Required workplace training on noise hazards Work alongside JHSC
Evaluate effectiveness of programs Monitor noise hazards in the workplace Record-keeping and scheduling of noise
and hearing tests Maintain records for WSIB claims in
case of injury
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Noise Abatement Programs Should include:
Trained program coordinator Worker involvement (JHSC or
worker rep) Noise hazard information available
to JHSC Noise surveys Engineering program with dates,
progress checks and reduction priorities
Maintenance program monitored by JHSC
Worker training and education Annual review/evaluation of
program Success of program depends on worker
and management participation
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Example Canadian National (CN) CN has been aware of noise hazards for at least 20 years 1991 → CN Hearing Conservation Program
4 elements: 1) Sound level measurements
Identify (where noise may pose a hazard) and quantify exposure
2) Results: Sound level indicate (8 hours average
exposure) exceed 87 dBA the additional elements of their hearing conservation program are
implemented.
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Husky Injection Molding Systems Limited
Manufacturer of molding machines and robotics Over past several years, have been reducing the
sound pressure levels of their machines Acoustic Dampening
All products have this as a standard feature Caps noise output at 70 dB
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A Final Thought
“Noise control should include measures to limit the noise at the source, to control the sound transmission path, to protect the receiver’s site, to plan land use, and to raise public awareness. With careful planning, exposure to noise can be avoided or reduced.”- World Health Organization,
1998
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References
National Safety Council, Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene. Barbara A. Plog Editor, Third Edition, 1988, 915 pages.
Montgomery, J.; Kelloway. K. Management of Occupational Health and Safety. NELSON, series in Human Resources Management, NELSON Thomson Learning, Second Edition, 2002, 281 pages.
Pocket Ontario Occupational Health & Safety Act & Regulation. Consolidated edition, Carswell a Thomson company, 2002, 773 pages.
Armstrong, Jim. Sound advice: sensible solutions for noise and hearing loss. Canadian Occupational Safety, v.35 (4) J1/ Ag’97, p.14-16.
Pathak-Bhawani. Tackling noise: are you workers slowly developing noise-induced hearing loss? Occupational Health & Safety, v.14(6) O/N’98, p. 42-46.
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/noisehearingconservation/index.html#Recognition http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/noise_basic.html http://www.readyforwork.sk.ca/fast-facts/noise.htm http://www.whsc.on.ca/publications/hazardbulletins/fall2001/noise.htm http://www.chs.ca/info/noise/book2.html http://www.gov.on.ca Workplace Health and Safety Agency. Health & Safety in your Workplace. Produced by
the Communications Department of the Workplace Health and Safety Agency, Toronto, 1994.