NOISE - HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAMS

PEI OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY

Objective to Workshop
A Better Understanding of:

What is Involved in a Hearing Conservation Program:

Noise Monitoring Audiometric Testing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Program Training Requirements Engineering and Administrative Controls

Legislative Requirements
Existing Proposed

PRE-TEST
True or False?

Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) has no signs or pain? True

PRE-TEST
True or False?

Noise levels are measured in Decibels? True

PRE-TEST
True or False?

How noise effects your hearing depends on how old you are? False, Intensity, and Duration is What Affects Your Hearing

PRE-TEST
True or False?

Exposure to 85 or more dB over an eight hour workday can mean risk of hearing loss? True

PRE-TEST
True or False?

The type of hearing protection you wear depends on comfort? False, the Type depends on the Noise and Type of Job you do

PRE-TEST
True or False?

Proper hearing protection can reduce the incoming noise levels? True

PRE-TEST
True or False?

If you have to shout to talk to someone who is just two or three feet away, the noise level at your workplace is probably greater than 85 dBs? True

Noise

Noise - Unwanted Sound, Unwanted Because it can Cause Annoyance, Interfere with Speech or Communication, and/or Cause Hearing Impairment

At Sea Level the Speed of Sound is 344 meters/sec, in Steel its 5000 meters/sec

Sound Intensity is the Degree of Strength Measured in Decibels (dB)

The Decibel Scale is logarithmic and is an expression of Sound Pressures which is actually what is Measured.

Since Decibels are Logarithmic, then for an increase of every 3 dBs the actual Intensity Doubles.
88 dB has twice the Sound Pressure as 85 dB

Existing Legislation uses a 5 dB Exchange Rate the Proposed Legislation uses a 3 dB Exchange rate.

What are some Common Noise Producers:

Barely Audible Watch Ticking Street With out Traffic Normal Conversation Typical Rock Concert Jackhammer

10 dB 20 dB 40 dB 60 dB 100 dB 120 dB

Jet Engine (800 ft away) 120 dB

Frequency is the Number of Cycles/second.

These Cycles are called Hertz (Hz). Low Frequencies represent Bass Sounds High Frequencies represents High Pitch Sounds such as Whistles.

Effects of Noise on the Human Ear

You dont get used to Loud Noises, you lose the ability to hear them

Never underestimate the harm Noise can cause

Everyday Noise can be harmful to your Hearing

Sound Waves/Pressure Waves travel through the air and vibrate the Eardrum in the Outer Ear down to the fluid of the Cochlea

The Vibrations reach the Cochlea and are transmitted as Energy by Tiny Hair Cells, and Sensed as Noise in the Brain.

Too much Noise damages the Hair Cells in the Inner Ear

The Hair Cells are flexible and dont bounce back after Damage has Occurred

The Human Ear is a Phenomenal Instrument

It can Detect an Atmospheric Pressure Changes between 20 uPa - >20 Pa, that is Equivalent to 0.0000000029 psi - > 0.0029 psi

There are two ways to reduce your Capacity to Hear

Acoustical Trama, example rifle shot, explosion jet engine. Noise Induced Hearing Loss, example long term exposure to elevated levels of noise.

NIHL (Noise Induced Hearing Loss)

Painless even though hearing loss is taken place. Usually goes unnoticed until too late. Only becomes apparent after permanent damage has occurred.

Threshold Shift

Is the difference between the hearing loss measured in an audiogram from an original base line, or the shift as compared to average hearing capabilities of an average person.

There two types of threshold shift

Permanant Temporary

Temporary Threshold Shift (TTS)

Is only temporary and Normal Hearing Capacity usually returns within 24 hours Is a clear sign that you are being exposed to dangerous Noise Levels

Permanant Threshold Shift (PTS)

Is the condition where the hair cells have lost their resilience to bounce back permanantly

Unfortuantely most people dont experience TTS and PTS occurs silently and overtime.

If you have been in a Noisy environment and you noticed that your ability to hear has been comprimised for more than a week chances are its permanant.

Consequenses may Surprise You

1st - You may only be able to hear loud sounds 2nd - You develop specific hearing limitations such as high frequency hearing loss 3rd - You develop the inability to distinguish between consonants, isolating individuals into their own world, missing family functions, not being able to hear what your childern are excited about, and safety warnings.

Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears)

Is Permanant And can be as small as a faint whistle to a loud constant roar

Exposure to Noise can Cause

Fatigue Elevated Blood Pressure Tension and Nervousness Hearing Loss (NIHL)

Frequency

Most everyday noises are in the 250 - 3000 Hz range, NIHL in these Frequencies are deemed to be the most impairing. High Frequencies are the most damaging and are responsible for the majority of NIHL.

Noise Monitoring

Exposure Monitoring must be done to First Quantify the Exposure both in Magnitude & Duration

There are Three Types of Noise Surveys

Area Surveys Personal Dosimetry Engineering Survey

Noise Surveys must be done by an Individual who is Competent

They must Fully Understand the Applicable Legislation; Standards, and Methodology; And Equipment Selection, Calibration, and Use

Noise Surveys Must be done with Approved Test Equipment, Properly Calibrated

CSA Z107.56-94 Procedures for the Measurement of Occupational Noise Exposure

Outlines the Procedures and equipment to be used to consistently monitor for noise in your workplace. However It does not outline the competency expected of the individual.

Area Survey

Can be used with either a Sound Level Meter or an Integrated Sound Level Monitor. Measures the Noise in a given area and is generally plotted on a map. It is useful for employees or groups that are relatively stationary in the Workplace.

Personal Dosimetry

Is done with a Monitor that logs the all the Noise one particular individual is exposed to throughout the run of a shift. Useful for employees who are not stationary and migrate from one part of the Workplace to another, example Maintenance Workers.

Engineering Survey

Equipment can either be an integrated Sound Level Monitor or a Personal Dosimeter, but it also usually includes a a Frequency Filter as well. Is done to help with reducing Noise Through Engineering Controls, and selection of Hearing Protection. It can include TLVs.

When Enough is Enough

When Enough is Enough

There are legislative requirements which dictate when action is to be taken by an Employer to Initiate a Hearing Protection Program. These Levels are Called the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and are Published by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.

Threshold Limit Values (TLVs)

Refer to the Levels of Exposure and Conditions under which it is believed that nearly all Heathly Workers may be Repeatedly exposed, day after day, Without Adverse Health Effects.

Intensity, and Duration Equals Dose

Doseage is what is Measured to Determine Risk for NIHL or to Determine a TLV.

When we express Sound Levels in an Occupational Environment we are only Concerned with what the Human Ear Actually Hears
This is What is Called the A Weighted Scale, and is expressed as dB(A).

What does PEIs OHS Act say about Noise Exposure Limits:
Continuous Noise

16 hrs 8 hrs 4 hrs 2 hrs 1 hr 0.5 hr 0.25 hr ......etc

80 dBA 85 dBA 90 dBA 95 dBA 100 dBA 105 dBA 110 dBA

The Critical Noise Levels we are most Concerned about is between 85 dB and 120 dB
WHY?

< 85 dB, generally is not a concern due to Dose > 85 dB, NIHL can/will occur > 120 dB, Painful and accoustical Trama is a reality and people will inheritly protect themselves.

If the Exposure Exceeds either the Company Guidelines or Legislative Requirements, then Selection of Appropriate Controls is Needed

Differences Between the Existing and New Proposed Legislation

Although most of these are implied in the existing Legislation the New Legislation emphasises:

A written Hearing Conservation Plan must be in Place for Workplaces >10 The Reduction of Noise Levels in the Workplace Clearer Direction on Monitoring and Audiometric Testing Shift to the 3 dB Exchange Rate Employee Training

Audiometric Testing

Audiometric Testing

Needs to be done Annually Tests the Minimum Level the Individual is able to Hear at Specific Frequencies. Employees needs to avoid high Levels of Noise 14 Hours prior to testing. Is a good Measure of your Hearing Conservations Program Effectiveness, and will pick up un-noticed PTS.

Audiometric Testing cont...

CAN/CSA-Z107.6-M90 Pure Tone Air Conduction Threshold Audiometry for Hearing Conservation and... CAN3-Z107.4-M86 Pure Tone Air Conduction Audiometers for Hearing Conservation and for Screening Both Outline the Minimum Standards that outlines a Properly run Audiometric Testing Program

Engineering and Administrative Controls

Administrative Controls

Operate noisy machinery on shifts when fewer employees are present Rotate employees out of noisy environments for part of their shift

Engineering Controls

Enclosing noisy processes in sound absorbing rooms Using carpet, resilient flooring, and sound damping walls Using rubber cushions or cardboard at the end of line chutes

Engineering Controls cont...

Replace noisy metal parts with quieter plastic or rubber components Eliminating vibration noise by placing heavy equipment on resilient pads

Engineering Controls cont...

Eliminate or Modify the Noise Source Substitute quieter Equipment or Processes

Engineering Controls cont...

Ensuring equipment is properly maintained At home, making sure equipment such as chainsaws and lawnmowers have built in noise reduction systems

Personal Protective Equipment

Types of Hearing Protectors Include:

Ear Plugs - Foam, Molded, Pre-Molded, or Custom Canal Caps - Various Cap Styles Ear Muffs - Various Styles * All Protector Styles have their own inherent Pros and Cons

Section 45.12 (1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations Outlines:
That Hearing Protectors must be of an Approved Type This generally means they must meet a standard of some type CSA Z94.2-94 Hearing Protectors is what is commonly found in Island Workplaces There are other Standards such as ANSI (US), and Several European Standards

Hearing Protectors must be Selected for the Workplace, and the User

Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) is what Manufactures uses to classify their Hearing Protectors it Represents the level the Hearing Protector will Reduce the Noise You need to ensure that the Hearing Protector will Adequately protect against the Various Frequencies at your workplace

Hearing Protectors must be Selected for the Workplace, and the User cont...
CSA has taken it a step further and got Manufacturers to Class their Protectors into Three Classes A, B, & C When you are Exposed to Noise in the Low Frequency Band, there is a Sub-Class designed to Protect in this Frequency denoted with an L as an Suffix, example Class AL, BL

CSA Z94.2-94 Outlines Selection, Fit, Care, and Use of Hearing Protectors

There are Several Considerations to be Aware of When Purchasing Hearing Protection

Employees need to be consulted on the selection of PPE as they are the ones wearing them Some employees cant wear some types due to Virtigo Every Style of Hearing Protector has its Pross and Cons

Hearing Protectors and Engineering Controls need to be Selected in order to Ensure the Frequency Range Your Exposed to is Covered.

Z94.2 Guide to Hearing Protection Selection

<85 dBA <89 dBA <95 dBA <105 dBA <110 dBA >110 dBA

No Protection Required Class C Class B Class A Class A plug & Class B Muff Class A Plug & Class A Muff

Over Kill in Protector Selection can be worse then not Enough Protection

NRR or Class should not greatly exceed the users exposure Over Kill Promotes Users to Remove Thier Protectors to Talk It can Prevent the User from Hearing Critical Warnings or Alarms

Wear Time vs Effectiveness

100 % Wear Time Ensures Protection 85% Wear Time translate into a reduce of effectiveness by 75%

Dont Take Your Hearing for Granted, You Can Protect Your Hearing Through:
Effective Monitoring Administrative Controls Engineering Controls ALL WILL PROTECT YOUR HEARING But wearing appropriate PPE is the most important

Hearing Conservation Plans

There are Four Ps to NIHL

ITS:

PAINLESS PROGRESSIVE PERMANENT PREVENTABLE

Employee Training Must Include:

Effects of Noise Hearing Protective Devises - Their purpose, proper selection, fit, use, care and maintenance. Audiometric Testing Applicable Legislation

Hearing Conservation Plan Includes:

Noise Levels must be Known Annual Audiometric Testing PPE Program Training in the Care, Use, Fit, and Selection of PPE

Hearing Conservation Plan Includes: cont...

Training on the Effects of Noise Exposure Engineering and Administrative Controls Inclusion of all Employees who are Exposed to Noise Ensure Purchasing Includes Noise Reduction in their Considerations

Signage is an Excellent way to Notify Employees that they are Entering an area with Excessive Noise Levels.

Occupational Health & Safety Organizational Structure

George Stewart Director of Occupational Health & Safety Wilma Lewis Administrative Assistant Chris Keefe Industrial Hygiene Technologist Diana Clarke Educational Officer

Enforcement Officers

Vacant Western Prince

Roger Walsh Sside/East Prince

Wayne Corrigan Chtown/W est Queens

Ian Rodd Chtown/East Queens

Jim McInnis East Queens/Kings

Conclusion

Need to know what/how much noise you are dealing with Who is affected How best do we control the noise - develop hearing conservation program Include employees in every aspect of your program Evaluate program ona regular basis