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

Question 1

Practice Question

Answer 1

Review the table below and answer the questions that follow.
Joe-85bBA for 4 hours
Beth-103dBA for 45 minutes
Richard-85dBA for 10 hours
Kelly-91dBA for 1 hour
Bob-94dBA for 3 hours
Sarah-83dBA for 10 hours

Question 2

Which of the above workers’ noise exposure exceeds the occupational exposure limits (OELs) in Schedule 3, Table 1 of the OHS Code?

Answer 2

-Beth, Richard, and Bob exceed the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code
OELs for noise.
-Beth works in 103 dBA of noise, and the maximum permitted duration for that level, according to Schedule 3, Table 1 of the OHS Code, is eight minutes. Because she is exposed for 45 minutes, she exceeds the OELs for noise.
-Richard is exposed to 85 dBA for 10 hours. The maximum permitted duration of exposure for 85 dBA is eight hours. Because Richard is exposed to that level of noise for two hours more than the permitted duration, he exceeds the OELs for noise.
-Bob is exposed to 94 dBA for three hours. The occupational exposure limit (OEL) for 94 dBA is one hour. Bob’s exposure exceeds the OEL; therefore, he exceeds the OELs for noise.

Question 3

According to the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code Part 16, Section 223, an employer must provide audiometric testing for workers exposed to excess noise. Schedule 3, Table 1 describes the OELs (occupational exposure limit) for noise. Based upon this information, which of the above workers require audiometric testing?

Answer 3

Beth, Richard, and Bob require audiometric tests because their noise exposure levels exceed the OELs in Schedule 3, Table 1.

Question 4

Which of the above workers do not exceed the OELs?

Answer 4

• Joe, Kelly and Sarah are not considered to be noise-exposed according to Schedule 3, Table 1 of the OHS Code.
• Kelly would require audiometric testing if the noise exposure to 91 dBA was 2 hours or more. The reason is because “Lex is the worker’s level of total exposure to noise in dBA, averaged over the entire work day and adjusted to an equivalent 8-hour exposure (based on a 3 dB exchange rate). In other words, a worker exposed to 88 dBA for 4 hours or 91 dBA for 2 hours would be exposed to 85 dBA Lex (an exposure equivalent of 85 dBA for 8 hours)”