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

NOISE AT WORK

LIFE NEEDS SOUND

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

• ccupational 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

04

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

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

86

89

92

If the noise source is doubled The noise level

• nly goes up 3 dB

Represent enormous increases in noise level and risk

Small increases in decibel level

83

12

NOISE EXPOSURE LIMITS - OSHAD-SF CoP 3.0

13

EMPLOYERS MUST

14

OSHAD-SF - COP - 3.0 - OCCUPATIONAL NOISE REQUIREMENT

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
• r 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 in Noise Zero reduction in Noise Reduction 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

• 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

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

• 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.

SEMI-INSERTS/ CANAL CAPS

27

FITTING TIPS - ROLL-DOWN FOAM EARPLUGS

ROLL - entire earplug into a crease-free cylinder PULL BACK - pinna by reaching over head with free hand, gently pull top of ear up and out INSERT - earplug well into ear canal and hold until it fully expands

1 2 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

• ver

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

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 1 - Place earcups over each outer ear

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

• Damaged hearing can be fjxed by surgey

– True – False

• Name two types of hearing protection

– .................................................. – ..................................................

QUIZ

36

• 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

QUIZ

37

• Hearing aids restore full hearing ability

– True – False

QUIZ

38