Hazards noise exposure

Buy Quiet The GAO report noted some successes in the DoD s efforts to Buy Quief in its procurement of weapons systems to minimize hazardous noise exposure. Under a Buy Quief program. 

Seal, A. B. Bise, C. J. 2002. Case study using task-based, noise-exposure assessment methods to evaluate miner noise hazards. Mining Engineering, 54, 44-48. 

Two of the standards directly related to worker health and important in design work are Toxic Hazardous Substances and Occupational Noise Exposure. The first of these two concerns the normal release of toxic and carcinogenic substances, carried via vapors, fumes, dust fibers, or other media. Compliance with the Act requires the designer to make calculations of concentrations and exposure time of plant personnel to toxic substances during normal operation of a process or plant. These releases could emanate from various types of seals and from control-valve packings or other similar sources. Normally, the designer can meet the limits set for exposure to toxic substances by specifying special valves, seals, vapor-recovery systems, and appropriate ventilation systems. 

Others noises, workers health and safety Noise from machines, inhalations of dust Accidents, exposure to toxic substances and dust, noise Exposure to toxic substances, potentially hazardous products Risk of exposure to toxic substances due to spills/ leaks Fears of hazard from the release of modified genetic species... 

Title 29 CFR, Section 1910.95 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) pertains to the protection of workers from potentially hazardous noise. Table 8.7 shows OSHA permissible noise exposure levels. 

Chemical hazard Exposure to noise Exposure to dusts Exposure to steam Exposure to smoke Exposure to fuels Exposure to heat extremes Radiation exposure Vibration... 

A loss control measure against identified risks by segregating the identified hazard to a specific (remote) location to protect the surrounding area from its effects and vice versa. Examples include placement of a chemical plant or process in a remote location and enclosure of an individual in an acoustic booth or enclosure to protect against noise exposure. 

Controlled risk assessment (4) Barriers adequate, isolation by distance acceptable, and insulated control panels further reduce risk of exposure to hazardous noise levels. A controlled RAC of 3E is assigned because, even if a relief did occur, the distance and isolation would create a marginal, rather than critical, risk. 

Issues that are covered in the OSHA construction regulations for occupational health are first aid sanitation noise exposure radiation gases, vapors, fumes, dusts, and mists (including silica) spray booths illumination ventilation and hazard communication. Since most of these issues are (or will be) represented in this collection of toolbox talks, let s look (briefly) at a few other occupational health issues not found in the regulation but being currently looked at by OSHA for some type of action. 

Electrical Safety Noise Exposure Confined Spaces Equipment Requirements Eall Protection Hazardous Substances Use of Hand Tools Equipment Safety Hazardous Chemicals... 

Training The number-one recommendation from the GAO report is about training specifically, instruction in the proper use of hearing protection before exposure to hazardous noise. The report also cited education and training during audiometric exams as lost opportunities for hearing loss prevention. ... 

After the rig is set up, workers are exposed to new hazards as the actual drilling begins. Some of these hazards include exposure to hazardous chemicals adverse weather conditions blowout, fire, and explosion rotating equipment caught between or pinched by excessive noise sprains and strains and fatigue. 

Levels -All areas and equipment are posted with caution or dango signs that describe the potential hazard and measures to be tak. Signs are highly visible and positioned at entrances and on the paiphay of potential noise-hazardous areas. The Occupational Noise Exposure Standard and Hearing Conservation Amendment are posted in all potential noise-hazardous areas. Applicable 85 dBA and 140 dBP contours are established. 

If other means of controls prove to be impossible or infeasible, the use of personal protective equipment by employees may become necessary. Such control methods, however, do not reduce or eliminate the source of the potential hazard and are the least preferred choice for controlling exposure. Personal protective equipment includes air-purifying and air-supplying respirators, hearing protection to reduce noise exposures, eye and face protection and gloves, boots and other impervious clothing. 

Currently in the United States a new action level of 85 dB is proposed that will require training of affected miners placed on noise protection and annual audiometric hearing tests (Mine Safety and Health Administration [MSHA] 1996 Bums 1997). There are many ways to control noise exposures, which will be presented in the section on hazard control. 

Identifying noise hazard areas by taking noise-exposure measurements... 

Lockout/tagout Housekeeping Noise exposure Hazard communication PPE... 

After identifying and prioritizing noise hazards, obtaining spectral or octave band data is helpful to determine the best control method. At the end of the day, having a better picture with very detailed information of hazardous noise sources will be critical in creating an action plan to reduce exposures. 

Materials handling Noise exposure Pressure vessels Tractor operation Traffic and the work zone Driving hazards weather and car accidents alcohol and car accidents eating, drinking, and car accidents Hot and cold weather conditions... 

Description of hazard. Water plant operators and associated maintenance staff are frequently exposed to noise levels that can be harmful to hearing. Noise sources include pumping and process equipment, alarms, generators, compressors, and ventilation equipment. Excessive noise exposure can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss, stress, and other physical problems. 

Toxic hazards may be caused by chemical means, radiation, and noise. Routes of exposure are (1) eye contact, (2) inhalation, (3) ingestion, (4) skin contact, and (5) ears (noise). An Industrial Hygiene Guide (IHG) is based on exposures for an 8-h day, 40-h week, and is not to be used as a guide in the control of health hazards. It is not to be used as a fine hne between safe and dangerous conditions. 

Congress passed the Occupational and Safety Health Act to ensure worker and workplace safety. Their goal was to make sure employers provide their workers a place of employment free from recognized hazards to safety and health, such as exposure to toxic chemicals, excessive noise levels, mechanical dangers, heat or cold stress, or unsanitary conditions. In order to establish standards for workplace health and safety, the Act also created the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as the research institution for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA is a division of the U.S. Department of Labor which oversees the administration of the Act and enforces Federal standards in all 50 states. 

The primary limitation of a HAZOP study is the length of time required to perform it. Because the study is designed to provide a complete analysis, study sessions can be intensive and lii ing. HAZOP studies typically do not look at occupational hazards (e.g., electrical equipment, rotating equipment, hot surfaces) or chronic hazards (e.g., chronic chemical exposure, noise, heat stress). For experience with HAZOP see Swann (1995). 

Excessive noise is a hazard to health and safety. Long exposure to high noise levels can cause permanent damage to hearing. At lower levels, noise is a distraction and causes fatigue. 

HAZOP studies typically do not look at occupational hazards (e.g., electrical equipment, rotating equipment, hot surfaces) or chronic hazards (e.g., chronic chemical exposure, noise, heat stress). 

---