Noise at Work

1
Noise at Work

• Awareness of Noise and Hearing Protection in the
• University of Sheffield

2
Scope of the Problem

• In the UK there are over 170,000 people with
  significant work-related hearing damage
• 14,200 are serious enough affected to receive
  disablement benefit

3
Noise is an ancient problem!

• Roman poets complained about the racket of iron
  cart-wheels on the cobbles

4
What is noise?

• Unpleasant or unwanted sound
• When unwanted noise gets loud enough
• It is unpleasant
• It is distracting
• It is tiring stressful
• Higher levels cause permanent hearing damage

5
Likelihood of Damage

• Depends mainly on
• Volume (loudness)
• Frequency (pitch)
• Exposure time
• Can be work exposure, social exposure or both

6
Damage can include

• Temporary hearing loss
• hearing returns after a short period away from
  noise
• Permanent hearing loss
• Permanent damage or destruction of hair cells in
  the ears.
• Hearing cannot be restored

7
Signs of developing hearing loss

• Inability to hear soft or high pitched sounds
• Trouble understanding conversation at a distance
  or in a crowd
• Ringing in the ears
• Others can hear something you cant

8
There is no cure for hearing damage!

• Normal hearing can never be restored
• Hearing aids do not restore noise-damaged hearing
• At best, they help the person a little

9
Frequency of Sound
Infra- Normal Ultra- Sound Sound
Sound
10
Noise Levels

• Ear is most sensitive to normal frequency sound
• The dBA scale takes this into account when
  measuring noise levels

11
Measurement of Noise Loudness is measured in
decibels

• 170 dB Jet airliner
• 120 dB Riveting hammer
• 110 dB Shouting loudly
• 70 dB Street sounds
• 38 dB Quiet bedroom
• This is a logarithmic scale an increase of 1dB
  means about 30 more noise

12
What Law applies?

• The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
  (Commencement date April 2006 except for music
  industry)
• The Health Safety at Work etc Act 1974

13
Risk Assessment

• Observe procedures
• Refer to standard data
• If necessary, measure noise levels
• Compare with action levels
• Identify control measures

14
Action and Limit Values

• Lower action value (LAV)
• 80dBA 8hrs Peak 135dBA
• Upper action value (UAV)
• 85dBA 8hrs Peak 137dBA
• Exposure limit value (ELV)
• 87dBA 8hrs Peak 140dBA
• Can take account of hearing protection

15
If your average daily exposure is over 80dB(A)

• The employer must
• Inform you of the risks to your hearing from
  noise and how you can reduce those risks
• Make hearing protective equipment available

16
If your average daily exposure is over 85dB(A)

• Your employer must
• Try to reduce noise at source
• Provide hearing protection insist on its use
• Identify sign ear protection zones
• Conduct noise assessments keep records of them
• Provide hearing checks if requested

17
If your average daily exposure is over 87dB(A)

• This is a maximum must not be exceeded
• Noise to the ear must be reduced
• Preferably at source
• Otherwise by hearing protection

18
Control of Noise

• Preferably eliminate or reduce it at source eg
• Maintenance lubrication
• Anti-vibration mounting
• Sound absorbing materials
• Enclosure
• Reducing exposure time

19
Hearing protection

• Ear Plugs
• Must be kept clean (many are single use)
• Must be put in properly (there is a special
  technique)
• Generally comfortable to wear especially in hot
  weather

20
Hearing protection

• Canal Caps
• Like in-ear ear plugs on a headband
• Pleasant to wear
• Often do not completely seal in the ear
• Generally not a good idea for gt85dB for
  prolonged periods

21
Hearing protection

• Ear Muffs
• Must fit snugly one size fits most people
• Generally very effective if worn properly
  beware of glasses
• Tend to be uncomfortable in hot weather
• Special types available eg. for wearing safety
  helmets, for workers near high voltage
• Can be shared but cleaning routine required

22
Hearing protection

• The effectiveness of hearing protection varies
  according to type, manufacture and correct
  wearing.
• Most will reduce noise at the ear by about 15 -
  20dBA
• Dont over-protect or warnings may not be audible

23
Hearing protection

• Ensure it is suitable for the job
• Regular maintenance record keeping required
• Home-made protectors dont work (eg cotton wool)
• Wear it when you are supposed to you MUST BY
  LAW

24
Hearing protection

• Try to limit your time in noisy areas
• Remember the effect is cumulative

25
Hearing protection

• Protect your hearing in a social context too eg
• Loud music
• Personal stereos
• Car entertainment
• DIY garden tools

26
Dont take noise for granted!

• Hearing damage creeps up on you
• Once it has happened, there is no cure

27
Further Advice?

• Contact Safety Services
• The Health Safety Executive have a useful
  leaflet which can be found
• http//www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg362.pdf