Occupational Noise

Action Level Level at which action must be taken to protect the worker from a hazard. 

Baseline Audiogram The audiogram against which future audiograms are 

Criterion Sound Level A sound level of 90 decibels. 

Noise Dosimeter An instrument that integrates a function of sound pressure over a period of time in such a manner that it directly indicates a noise dose. Representative Exposure Measurements of an employee s noise dose or 8-hour TWA sound level that the employers deem to be representative of the exposures of other employees in the workplace. 

Sound Level Measurement of the A-weighted sound pressure indicated in dBA. 

---

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. 

Indoor residential sampling can be restricted because of available space or by homeowner objections. Equipment noise can also be an issue, depending on the size of the space being monitored, the acoustics of the area and the presence of occupants. Noise from sampling equipment used in residences, schools, offices and other relatively noise-free areas should be limited to 35 dB (1 sones) (ASTM International, 2003e). Many battery-operated portable pumps designed... 

U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Occupation Noise Exposure, OSHA standard 1910.95, 1995. 

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH 1997) states that musculoskeletal disorders, which include disorders of the back, trunk, upper extremity, neck, and lower extremity are one of the 10 leading work-related illnesses and injuries in the United States. Praemer et al, (1992) report that work-related upper-extremity disorders (WUEDs), which are formally defined by the Biureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as cumulative trauma illnesses, account for 11.0 % of aU work-related musculoskeletal disorders (illnesses). For comparison, occupational low-back disorders account for more than 51.0% of aU WRMDs. According to BLS (1995), the cumulative trauma illnesses of upper extremity accounted for more than 60% of the occupational illnesses reported in 1993. These work-related illnesses, which include hearing impairments due to occupational noise exposure, represent 6.0% of aU reportable work-related injuries and illnesses (Marras 1996). 

T/F) Occupational noise-induced hearing loss occurs over a period of several years. 

Occupational Noise Exposure OSH A 1910.95 Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Washington, DC Machinery and Machine Guarding Definitions OSHA 1910.211, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Washington, EK ... 

Robinson, D. W., 1976 Characteristics of occupational noise-induced bearing loss, in D. Henderson, R. P. Hamemik, D. S. Dosjanjh, and J. H. Mills (eds.). Effects of noise on hearing. Raven Press, New York,... 

Hwang, Y.H., H.Y. Chiang, M.C. Yen-Jean, and J.D. Wang. 2009. The association between low levels of lead in blood and occupational noise-induced hearing loss in steelworkers. Sci. Total Environ. 408(l) 43-49. 

While the above relate to occupational noise the same effects can be experienced from leisure noise such as discos and personal hi-fis. 

Instruments for measuring occupational noise have modified measuring scales ( A weighting) to match the ear s hearing characteristics, hence the occupational noise unit is dB(A). 

Use administrative controls such as scheduling to limit woiker exposure to many workplace hazards such as working in hot areas. However, OSHA prohibits employee scheduling to meet the requirement of air contaminant exposure limits. The scheduling of maintenance and other high exposure operations during evenings or weekends can reduce exposures. Use job rotation to limit repetitive motion tasks or reduce the exposure time to occupational noise hazards. Use a work-rest schedule for very hazardous or strenuous tasks. 

CFR 1926 subpart D — Occupational health and environmental controls, including sanitation occupational noise exposure gases, vapors, fumes, dusts, and mists ventilation HazCom and lead. 

Plain cotton does not effectively protect against occupational noise. There are several products to choose from that are effective in protecting employees hearing. 

If a physician or other licensed healthcare professional determines that the hearing loss is not work-related or has not been significantly aggravated by occupational noise exposure, you are not required to consider the case work-related or to record the case on the OSHA 300 Log. 

Q. What constitutes a hearing conservation program under the construction standard for occupational noise exposure, 29 CFR 1926.52 ... 

Presbycusis is the term used for hearing loss in older people which may have been exacerbated by occupational noise earlier in their lives. 

Is protection against the effects of occupational noise provided when sound levels exceed those... 

When comparing audiogram results, adjust the results for the employee s age when the audiogram was taken using Tables F-1 or F-2, as appropriate, in Appendix F of the Occupational Noise Exposure standard at 1910.95. 

Hearing loss is presumed to be work-related if the employee is exposed to noise in the workplace at an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 dBA or greater, or to a total noise dose of 50 percent, as defined in OSHA s Occupational Noise Exposure standard. Noise dose is defined as the amount of actual employee exposure to noise relative to the permissible exposure limit for noise. A dose greater than 100 percent represents exposure above the limit. For hearing loss cases where the employee is not exposed to this level of noise, refer to the rules in 1904.5 to determine if the hearing loss is work-related. 

---