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Force-System Resultants and Equilibrium
Published in Richard C. Dorf, The Engineering Handbook, 2018
A comprehensive and effective hearing conservation program can reduce the potential for employee hearing loss, reduce workers compensation costs due to hearing loss claims, and lessen the financial burden of noncompliance with government standards. Current OSHA standards require personal noise dosimetry measurements in areas with high noise levels. Noise dosimeters are instruments which integrate (measure and record) the sound levels over an entire work shift. Noise intensities are measured by the dBA scale, which most closely resembles human hearing sensitivity. For continuous noise levels, OSHA’s permissible noise exposure is 90dBA for an 8-hour shift. If the noise levels are variable, a time-weighted average is computed. For noise levels exceeding the limit values, an employee hearing conservation program must be administered [Mansdorf, 1993:318-320].
Construction Issues
Published in Martin B., S.Z., of Industrial Hygiene, 2018
Upon completion of excavation activities, pilings may be driven, depending on the type of structure that is being erected. Piles are installed to provide structural support. This operation generates excessive noise levels that can exceed OSHA impact noise criteria of 140 decibels, on the A-weighting (dBA). As well, there is potential for workers to exceed OSHA Permissible Noise Limits as listed in Table 15.1. OSHA mandates the establishment of a Hearing Conservation Program for workers exposed to noise at or above 85 dBA as an 8-hour time-weighted average. Components of a Hearing Conservation Program include requirements related to: training, written program, monitoring, audiometric testing, and hearing protection. It should be mentioned that the ACGIH criteria for noise is based on a permissible noise limit of 85 dBA as an 8-hour time-weighted average, which is less than the OSHA 8-hour PNL.
Safety and Health Considerations
Published in Frank R. Spellman, Hydraulic Fracturing Wastewater, 2017
The hearing protection element of a hearing conservation program provides hearing protection devices for employees and training in how to wear them effectively, as long as hazardous noise levels exist in the workplace. Hearing protection comes in various sizes, shapes, and materials, and the cost of this equipment can vary dramatically. Two general types of hearing protection are used widely in industry: the cup muff (commonly referred to as Mickey Mouse ears) and the plug insert type. Because feasible engineering noise controls have not been developed for many types of industrial equipment, hearing protection devices are the best option for preventing noise-induced hearing loss in these situations. As with the other elements of a hearing conservation program, the hearing protective device element must be in writing and included in the program.
Occupational noise exposure and hearing loss: A study of knowledge, attitude and practice among Tanzanian iron and steel workers
Published in Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health, 2020
Israel P. Nyarubeli, Alexander M. Tungu, Magne Bråtveit, Bente E. Moen
In Tanzania the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) No. 5 of 2003 requires the employer to provide and maintain effective personal protective equipment (hearing protection devices) for the use of employees, and to conduct a thorough pre-placement as well as periodic medical examinations (including ear screening in this case). However, our findings indicate that the practical implementation of these requirements was poor. This might be the case for other low- and middle-income countries.7,10 Thus, results from this study may be used by stakeholders at all levels, as a reflection of the status of implementation of occupational safety and health policy, legislation and noise control-related regulations in the countries facing similar challenges. This will help in the formulation and effective implementation of workplace noise-control measures including comprehensive hearing conservation programs to protect workers from developing hearing loss.
An evaluation of machine operator exposure to occupational noise during harvesting and extraction operations in Brazilian eucalyptus plantations
Published in International Journal of Forest Engineering, 2023
Diego Aparecido Camargo, Rafaele Almeida Munis, Ricardo Hideaki Miyajima, Roldão Carlos Andrade Lima, Danilo Simões
The daily doses of occupational noise submitted to 25% of the operators (6, 7 and 12) were higher than the 100% recommended for the daily eight-hour journey. These values represent a risk of hearing damage for operators (Fonseca et al. 2015) and, therefore, a Hearing Conservation Program can mitigate the effects of noise exposure on the occupational health of operators.