NOISE AT WORK AWARENESS SESSION FOR SUPERVISORS OBJECTIVES - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

LIFE NEEDS SOUND NOISE AT WORK AWARENESS SESSION FOR SUPERVISORS

OBJECTIVES • Understand what is noise • Introduction to noise levels • How to identify noisy situations /areas • What your role is 01

INTRODUCTION • Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the most common permanent and preventable occupational injury in the world. World Health Organization 02

WHAT IS NOISE • Noise is all around us – at home, at leisure and at work • If noise is too loud and we are exposed for too long it can damage our hearing and afgect our safety at work. • Exposure to high levels of noise may lead to hearing loss and other harmful health efgects 03

WHAT IS NOISE When noise gets loud enough — It is unpleasant — It is distracting — It is tiring & stressful — Higher levels / long exposure can cause permanent hearing damage — 85dB(a) Noise Action Level 04

EXPOSURE TO NOISE • Exposure to loud noise will inevitably cause hearing loss over time. • Can be temporary hearing loss – hearing returns after a short period away from noise • Or permanent hearing loss – Permanent damage or destruction of hair cells in the ears. • Another efgect can be “tinnitus” or permanent ringing in the ear. 05

SIGNS OF HEARING LOSS • You have to raise your voice to have a normal conversation with others when you are about 2 metres away, at least for part of the day; • Inability to hear soft or high pitched sounds • Trouble understanding conversation at a distance or in a crowd • Ringing in the ears (“tinnitus”) • Others can hear something you can’t 06

HEARING LOSS 07

TINNITUS • Exposure to high noise levels can also cause permanent ringing in the ear or “tinnitus”. • Tinnitus sufgerers usually complain of constant whistling, squealing, roaring or buzzing in one or both ears. • Severe tinnitus may disrupt sleep, reduce concentration and cause irritability and depression 08

WHAT IS TOO MUCH NOISE 09

HOW IS NOISE MEASURED Noise is measured in decibels (dB). An ‘ A -weighting’ sometimes written as ‘dB (A) ’, is used to measure average noise levels. A ‘ C -weighting’ or ‘dB (C) ’ measures peak, impact or explosive noises. 10

WHAT THE LAW SAYS OSHAD-SF CoP 3.0 – Occupational Noise – Sets maximum exposure limits – Average of 85dB(a) over an 8 hour period 11

NOISE LEVELS 83 If the noise source is doubled The noise level only goes up 3 dB 86 92 89 Small increases Represent enormous in decibel level increases in noise level and risk 12

NOISE EXPOSURE LIMITS - OSHAD-SF CoP 3.0 13

EMPLOYERS MUST OSHAD-SF - COP - 3.0 - OCCUPATIONAL NOISE REQUIREMENT 14

EMPLOYERS MUST…. 15

WORKERS MUST…. 16

HOW DO I KNOW IF IT IS NOISY 17

WHAT ACTION SHOULD I TAKE • Is signage present identifying the area as noisy or requiring hearing protection? – Have workers been issued hearing protection – Is it being worn? • Report the issue to your manager • Could workers be in danger due to the noise levels: – Can they hear warning sounds or alerts – Do you have mobile plant and machinery in the area – Could they hear it approaching – Can they hear a warning shouted from 2m away – try this and check • Has a noise risk assessment been completed – check with your manager • Monitor the area on a regular basis to ensure that the noise is controlled 18

CONTROLLING NOISE • Remove the noise - use difgerent equipment, techniques, processes or shields; • Choose and use quieter tools, machines and equipment; • Soundproof machines or house them where workers cannot hear them; • Install screens or barriers, enclosures or sound-absorbing materials; • Create quiet workstations using design and layout that reduces noise; • Limit the time spent by workers in noisy environments – only allow people into risk areas who need to be there; • Maintain machinery and equipment to reduce noise; • Train and supervise workers to use noise enclosures or low-noise working practices. 19

HEARING PROTECTION • Does not stop noise • Reduces the noise level entering the ear • Only works if used and maintained correctly 20

HEARING PROTECTION Hearing protection devices are selected according to: – Worker comfort – Level of noise exposure – Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of device – Type of work being performed – Workplace conditions 21

HEARING PROTECTION Zero reduction Zero reduction Reduction in Noise in Noise in Noise 22

HEARING PROTECTION No noise reduction 23

HEARING PROTECTION • Know where hearing protection is required in your workplace • Be aware of how to correctly wear all types of hearing protection • Ensure workers are wearing hearing protection and it is fjtted correctly 24

SOME TYPES OF HEARING PROTECTION EARMUFFS • Tight fit, covering ears, no gaps at the seals • Keep them clean inside and out • Keep glasses, hats, hair or jewellery clear of seals • Keep headband comfortably tight – no stretching • Get a good seal around your ears when using helmet-mounted earmuffs 25

SOME TYPES OF HEARING PROTECTION EARPLUGS • Clean hands before inserting into ear canal • Never share with others and dispose of safely • Get help with fitting if you need it • Only re-use and wash if designed for this – some are meant to be used only once 26

SOME TYPES OF HEARING PROTECTION SEMI-INSERTS/ CANAL CAPS • Plastic band holds across the ear canal • Good seal needed at every wear. • Check the band is still tight enough • Use clean hands and good hygiene. 27

FITTING TIPS - ROLL-DOWN FOAM EARPLUGS ROLL - entire earplug into a crease-free cylinder 1 PULL BACK - pinna by reaching over head with free hand, gently pull 2 top of ear up and out INSERT - earplug well into ear canal and hold until it fully expands 3 28

FITTING TIPS - MULTIPLE-USE EARPLUGS REACH - While holding the stem, reach hand overhead and gently pull top of ear up and back. INSERT - Insert earplug so all flanges are well inside the ear canal. FIT - If properly fitted, only the stem of the earplugs should be visible to someone looking at you from the front. 29

FITTING TIPS - VISUAL + ACOUSTICAL CHECKS VISUAL CHECK - The earplug should sit well inside the ear canal and not stick out. ACOUSTICAL CHECK - Cup hands over ears and release. Earplugs should block enough noise so that covering your ears with hands should not result in a significant noise difference. 30

FITTING TIPS - EARMUFF INSTRUCTIONS 1 - Place earcups over each outer ear 2 - Adjust the headband by sliding the headband up or down at the attachment buttons 3 - The ear cushions should seal firmly against the head 31

SIGNAGE • Where noisy areas have been identifjed • Signage should be in place to warn everyone of the dangers 32

SUMMARY • No one should be exposed to noise levels above 100 decibels without being given the right hearing protection. • If noise levels go above 85 decibels over an average weighted scale in an 8-hour shift employers must put Hearing Conservation Plans in place. Hearing protection should be issued to workers: – where extra protection is needed above what has been achieved using noise control; – as a short-term measure while other methods of controlling noise are being developed. 33

QUIZ • If you have to raise your voice to be heard from – 5 meters – 2 meters – 25 meters – 3 meters • It is probably too noisy in your workplace 34

QUIZ • What happens when people are exposed to excessive noise? (Choose all applicable points) – They can’t hear someone talking to them. – Over a period of time, they will develop hearing loss. – Some people may develop permanent ringing in their ears. – Some people will be stressed out by constant exposure to loud noise. – Their hearing becomes resistant to the noise. – No consequences. 35

QUIZ • Damaged hearing can be fjxed by surgey – True – False • Name two types of hearing protection – .................................................. – .................................................. 36

QUIZ • What action should I take if I think it is noisy in my workplace – Report it to my manager – Nothing – Check if a risk assessment has been done – Check workers – can they hear me? – Monitor the area – Give everyone ear muffs 37

QUIZ • Hearing aids restore full hearing ability – True – False 38