Noise induced hearing loss - Drop the volume!

Also available as a power point presentation with speaking notes

Why care about noise in your workplace?

• Good employers care about their workers
• The costs of hearing loss are passed on to you through ACC levies
• The law requires it!

What does the Health and Safety Act tell us?

• Section 6: workplaces must take all practical steps to ensure the safety of employees
• Regulation 11
  • sets the level of noise that should not be exceeded
  • says hearing protection is only valid after all other practicable steps have been taken

So what are acceptable levels of noise?

‘Average’ level over eight hours = 85 dB
‘Peak’ (or upper limit)  = 140 dB

So do I need to be a scientist?

NO! You can perform a Preliminary Noise Survey yourself

Then what?

• If a there’s a problem you’ll need a detailed noise survey done by a “competent” person
• Take steps to control noise at the source
• Monitor the health effects of noise on your staff

Noise control options

• Control at source
• Control the noise path
• Protect the receiver

Table 1: Noise control map

	Engineering	Admin	PPE
Source	Modify process or equipment	Substitute/ eliminate Maintenance ‘Buy quiet’
Path	Absorbers Enclosures Isolate	Isolate noise: by time by location
Receiver		Restrict exposure Training & education	Plugs or Muffs

What can workplaces do to control noise?

For new workplaces or existing workplaces that are having new plant installed:

• Design the workplaces to be low noise environments
• Consider noise output when purchasing new plant and machinery– buy quiet!

For existing workplaces

• Write a noise control plan and set priorities
• Identify where noise cannot be controlled
• Consider how to reduce noise
  

Table 2: Accepted exposure times for noise before damage occurs

Noise Exposure   dB(A)	Duration per day before damage occurs
85	8 hours
88	4
91	2
94	1
97	30 mins
100	15
103	8
106	4
109	2
115	30 secs

Consider how to reduce noise transmission

• Place noisy procsses in a separate part of the workplace
• Use soundproofing materials to prevent sound reflecting
• Enclose noisy machinery
• Build operators an enclosure to work in
• Eliminate excessive vibration
• Do noisy processes at times when others are not around
• Think about enclosures
• Protect people by
  • Restricting their time in a noisy environment
  • Training and supervision on how to work quietly
  • Warn employees through signs
  • As a final resort, have a hearing protector programme