Ch. 5: Noise Management Program & Government Regulation Part A

Question 1

What first step must be taken before planning a noise management program?

Answer 1

The first step in noise management is to perform an exposure assessment to determine the extent of the noise hazard and identify those workers who are noise exposed.

Question 2

What are two subjective measurements of excessive noise exposure?

Answer 2

• When conversing in a noisy area is difficult, particularly while two people are within arm’s length of one another.
• When, after exposure to noise, a person’s ears feel plugged, have a high- pitched ringing, or when sound seems muffled.

Question 3

How are objective measurements of noise obtained?

Answer 3

• By using sound measurement equipment.

- There are several types including sound level meter, a noise dosimeter, and an integrating sound level meter.

Question 4

What are the main purposes of noise measurement in the workplace?

Answer 4

• to identify workers who may be noise-exposed so that workers who need to be included in the hearing conservation program are included.
• to quantify workers’ noise exposures and thereby identify workers who require hearing tests and those who do not.
• to assess the noise for potential engineering and administrative controls so that the most technologically and economically feasible controls are implemented.
• to measure background noise in audiometric testing areas to ensure the levels are within permissible limits.

Question 5

c. How often should exposure assessments be done?

Answer 5

c. Noise exposure assessment
If workers are, or may be, exposed to noise at a work site in excess of 85 dBA LBexB and the noise exposure limits in Schedule 3, Table 1, an employer must do a noise exposure assessment under section 7 (as below).
Part 2: Hazard Assessment, Elimination and Control: Section 7: Hazard assessment states:
7(1) An employer must assess a work site and identify existing and potential hazards before work begins at the work site or prior to the construction of a new work site.
7(2) An employer must prepare a report of the results of a hazard assessment and the methods used to control or eliminate the hazards identified.
7(3) An employer must ensure that the date on which the hazard assessment is prepared or revised is recorded on it.
7(4) An employer must ensure that the hazard assessment is repeated
(a) at reasonably practicable intervals to prevent the development of unsafe and unhealthy working conditions,
(b) when a new work process is introduced,
(c) when a work process or operation changes, or
(d) before the construction of significant additions or alterations to a
work site.
Section 219(4) An employer must ensure that a noise exposure assessment is
(a) conducted and interpreted by a competent person,
(b) updated if a change in equipment or process affects the noise level or the length of time a worker is exposed to noise.
OHS Explanation Guide: Section 219: Noise Exposure Assessment states the following:
“An initial noise assessment should be performed in any work area where workers must significantly raise their voices to be heard over background noise. The assessment should include work areas that are indoors, outdoors and in mobile equipment. If the results of the initial assessment indicate that no workers are exposed to noise levels exceeding the exposure limits, then periodic assessments should be performed thereafter to make sure that conditions have not changed over time. Periodic assessments should be done on an annual basis and when
(a) new equipment or work processes that generate noise are introduced to the work site,
(b) noise levels change due to equipment deterioration,
(c) work practices or work procedures change, or
(d) workers complain of ringing in the ears, temporary changes in hearing or
increased levels of noise in their work area. “

Question 6

Explain two methods to control excessive noise exposures.

Answer 6

If there is too much noise in the workplace, the first priority should be to establish engineering controls such as these:

a) Substitution-use of quieter equipment, processes, or products.
b) Isolation-enclosure of either the noise source or the workers.
c) Modification-adding sound-absorbent materials or adding barriers from noise source.
- Technology availability and cost may be factors that limit the use of engineering controls.
- Administrative controls can also be implemented to control excessive noise exposures.
- The two most common administrative solutions are rotating workers through quiet and noisy jobs, and changing production schedules so that noise exposures do not exceed safe levels.
- Implementing equipment maintenance schedules and establishing and adhering to noise limits for new equipment and work processes are also forms of administrative controls.
- Personal protection is the third type of control and should be the last option. There are many different types of hearing protectors and many considerations for implementing a personal protection program.

Question 7

What seven components must be included in a noise management program as defined in Section 221 of the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code, Part 16: Noise Exposure?

Answer 7

The Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code specifies that a noise management program must include these components:

1. Worker Education.
   - noise hazards and about the importance of wearing protection.
   - how to undergo audiometry and informed why audiometry is done.
   - education must be relevant to the workers and the work setting.
   - should be ongoing in nature.
2. Measuring or monitoring worker exposure to noise on an ongoing basis
3. Posting warning signs in any work area where the noise level exceeds 85 dBA.
4. Use of noise-control methods
5. Selection, use, and maintenance of hearing-protection devices
6. Audiometric testing.
   - helps to identify workers with hearing loss and help to evaluate the effectiveness of controls, including hearing protectors.
   - provide opportunities to counsel workers on the status of their hearing, to educate workers individually, and to document a worker’s hearing over the duration of employment.
   - could be the first step in finding a medically correctible hearing problem.
   - do not protect workers from noise, but they are a valuable screening tool.
7. An annual program review

Question 8

5a.Where should exposure assessments be done? 2

Answer 8

• In all areas of a worksite where workers are or may be exposed to noise levels that exceed the occupational exposure limits shown in Table 1 of Schedule 3 and exceed a noise level of 85 dBA Lex.
• In areas where hearing tests are conducted.

Question 9

5b. Engineering controls accomplish noise reduction by controlling noise in what three ways?

Answer 9

• Implementation of engineering controls should be the first priority after noise exposure has been identified.
• The aim of engineering controls is to control excessive noise by addressing:
  1. the source,
  2. the path, and
  3. the receiver.