Page 3 of 3
Noise Monitoring: A Sound Strategy
A noise survey can help employers determine which employees are at risk. For noise control and control of noise sources, a noise-control survey should be conducted to identify the source and determine its contribution to the area noise level and worker noise exposure so that businesses can identify at-risk employees and ensure they adhere to OSHA regulations. However, professionals who undertake the monitoring must be trained and prepared with the right equipment as minor errors in noise level estimates can lead to major errors in exposure calculations. This results in greater risks for employers and employees’ long-term ear health.
In 1981, OSHA implemented new requirements to protect all workers in general industry for employers to implement a Hearing Conservation Program where workers are exposed to a time-weighted average noise level of 85 dBA or higher over an eight-hour work shift.
These programs require employers to evaluate noise levels regularly, offer hearing protection that has been determined as adequate for the noise in the workplace and train employees on managing noise. This is unless equipment and schedules are made so that they are less noisy and worker exposure to noise is less than the 85 dBA.
Noise assessors should ideally use both a sound level meter, primarily designed as a hand-held device used by an operator, and a noise dosimeter, which a staff member wears for their working shift. This ensures primary noise sources can be identified and, when exposure is occurring, to establish a noise control program.
Wear Hearing Protection: A Last Resort
If noise levels are above safety regulations, workers must wear protection. When selecting the right makes and models, the attenuation level is critical and noise levels at the ear must be reduced so that exposure is below 85dB(A) TWA. NIOSH has published three methods for calculating the attenuation of hearing protectors. However, making sure people wear the protector for the entirety of their shift is essential to ensure real-world protection.
Despite the irreversible nature of NIHL, over half of noise-exposed workers report not wearing hearing protection.
Employers can take a proactive approach to encourage all-day wear by considering comfort, communication, the environment, the individual and the relationship with other PPE. Removing PPE, even for short periods, has a significant effect on exposure. Therefore, it is crucial that hearing protection is comfortable to increase worker acceptance and support the likelihood of all-day wear.
When working in an environment with airborne hazards present, for example, ensure the hearing protection that was provided is comfortable and unobtrusive to the respiratory protection worn.
Every worker on site will have unique physical characteristics that will affect how comfortable the chosen hearing protection is. Some will be more comfortable wearing ear defenders, others will be more suited to ear plugs. The more comfortable an individual is, the less likely they are to remove the PPE.
The interaction of hearing protection with other PPE is also a significant factor. For example, an employee wearing prescription or safety glasses will not obtain an adequate fit from a standard earmuff. So plugs or semi-inserts may be more suitable.
The world is getting louder, employers must act now to implement a successful and effective noise control regime. However, skill and knowledge of measuring noise can take years to build, so this guidance is a starting point. If certain aspects of noise monitoring, protection and control are outside of an individual’s competencies then external consultancies, training and support should be sought to bridge knowledge gaps and ensure employees get the critical protection they need. When it comes to a permanent health issue like hearing loss, it’s never worth the risk.
This article originally appeared in the September 2024 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.
About the Author
Tim Turney, Global Marketing Manager at occupational hygiene and workplace hazard monitoring expert Casella, looks to the future of health & safety technology.