Noise pollution hazards are unwanted sounds. Not all sounds are noise. Noise is an unwanted or unpleasant sound. Noise can cause tension and impede concentration. It can cause chronic health problems and also cause accidents by making communication and alarm signals difficult. Exposure to noise for a longer period of time can cause permanent hearing loss.
The health effects of noise
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Workers often adjust to hearing loss caused by harmful noises at work by getting used to reading people's lips and turning up the volume on the radio or television.
It is important to watch for signs of hearing loss in colleagues and to observe the reactions of new workers or visitors to a noisy workplace: if they yell, plug their ears, or run away, there may be a problem noise.
Exposure to noise in the workplace can decrease coordination and concentration, which can increase accidents; increases tension, which can lead to heart, stomach and nervous disorders; nervousness; insomnia, tiredness; decreased productivity and increased absenteeism likewise.
Decibels
Sounds have different intensities (force). Intensity is measured in units called decibels (dB) or dB (A). The decibel scale is not a normal scale, but a logarithmic scale, which means that a small increase in the decibel level is actually a large increase in the noise level.
Within a normal workplace, noise comes from a variety of sources, for example, tools (machines and material handling), compressors, background noise, etc. To detect all the noise problems in the workplace, the first thing to do is measure the noise from each source separately. For example, if each of two different sources of noise in a workplace creates 80 dB, the noise level they make together is 83 dB (not 160 dB).
An effective way to measure noise in the workplace is to use a sound level meter. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find such a device and staff who know how to operate it. Now, this simple instrument helps to understand if there is a noise problem in the workplace:
A simple method to assess noise exposure
Get within arm's length of your co-worker. If you cannot speak in a normal tone and have to shout to communicate, it means that the noise level in the workplace is too high and needs to be lowered. The existence of a safe noise level depends essentially on two things:
1) the level (volume) of the noise; and
2) how long have you been exposed to noise.
The noise level allowed by the noise standards of most countries is generally 85 dB during an eight-hour workday.
- Points to remember regarding noise measurement
- Noise can be annoying both because of its volume and its frequency.
- Sound intensity is measured in decibels (dB) or dB (A).
- A small increase in the decibel level equates to a large increase in the noise level.
- To detect all noise problems in the workplace, noise from each source must be measured separately.
- An effective way to measure noise in the workplace is to do so with a sound level meter.
- If you cannot find a sound level meter and staff who know how to use it, you can use this simple method of noise assessment: stand at arm's length from your work colleague; If you cannot speak in a normal tone and you have to shout to communicate with him, it means that the noise level in the workplace is too high.
- The safety levels applied to noise take into account: 1) the level of the noise and 2) the time that it is exposed to it.
Typically 85 dB during an eight-hour workday is the noise level that most rules and regulations tolerate. Workers who are exposed to high noise levels should be provided with hearing protection and should be rotated so that they are not exposed for more than four hours a day. Mechanical controls should be applied to decrease noise exposure before wearing hearing protection and rotating workers
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Noise hazards control measures
1) at its source;
2) putting up barriers, and
3) worker himself.
At its source
As with other types of exposure, the best way to avoid it is to eliminate the risk. So fighting noise at its source is the best way to control noise and can often be cheaper than any other method. To apply this method, it may be necessary to replace a noisy machine. The manufacturer himself can combat the noise at the source, making the devices not noisy. Today many machines must comply with current noise standards and therefore before purchasing new machines (eg presses, drills, etc.), they must be checked for compliance with noise standards.
Unfortunately, many second-hand machines that produce high noise levels (which have been replaced by quieter models) are often exported to developing countries, causing their workers to pay the cheap price of their purchase with hearing loss, tension, etc
You can also organize source noise control on a machine by
making adjustments to parts of the machine or the entire machine that reduce
noise. Thus, for example, the noise level of a pneumatic drill can be lowered
by placing a noise-reducing cloth around the drill. A piece of rubber tubing on
the drill's exhaust will also lower the noise level. A rubber cap can be used
to reduce noise caused by falling metal particles on metal.
Barriers
If noise at the source cannot be controlled, it may be necessary to isolate the machine, put up sound-reducing barriers between the source and the worker, or increase the distance between the worker and the source.
Worker himself
Controlling noise at the worker himself, using hearing protection is, unfortunately, the most common, but the least effective, way to control and combat noise. Forcing the worker to adapt to the workplace is always the least desirable form of protection against any risk. Generally, there are two types of hearing protection: earplugs and earmuffs. Both are intended to prevent excessive noise from reaching the inner ear.
Earplugs are inserted into the ear and can be made of many different materials, including rubber, plastic, or any other that fits well inside the ear. They are the least desirable type of hearing protection because they do not actually protect against noise very effectively and can infect the ears if any piece of the earplug remains inside or if a dirty earplug is used. Cotton wool should not be used to protect the ears.
Earmuffs are more protective than earplugs when used
correctly. They cover the entire ear area and protect it from noise. They are
less effective if they do not fit.
The last line of defence is to reduce noise exposure by providing workers with hearing protection, which is the least effective way to fight noise. This method makes the worker himself responsible for protecting his sense of hearing.
Providing workers with hearing protection is the least acceptable method of noise control. Now, if it is the only solution, it is preferable that they wear earmuffs instead of earplugs. Read the instructions for the different types of hearing protectors to find out the level of protection they provide.
Please discuss that data with your employer before you buy hearing protectors. Workers should know how to properly use hearing protectors and the importance of wearing them. Try to make an agreement with the employer to eliminate the noisy machines by a certain date.
If possible, there should be supplemental hearing protectors in the workplace so that workers can wear them if they forget or lose those attached to them.
Areas, where hearing protectors must be worn, should be clearly marked, using symbols indicating the need to wear hearing protectors.
Temporary or permanent hearing loss due to exposure to noise
in the workplace is one of the most common occupational diseases. Exposure to
noise in the workplace can cause several chronic health problems in addition to
hearing loss. However, noise can be controlled by different methods, the most
effective of which is to do it at the source that produces it; the least
acceptable method is hearing protection.
Generally, 85 during an eight-hour workday is the permissible noise level, although it is best to lower the noise even further, whenever possible. There are a number of steps you and your union can take to control and combat noise in the workplace.
Noise pollution hazards
XYZ Company has a workshop with five motorized presses that
produce noise levels of 102-104 dB. Even when only one or two presses are
operating, the noise levels are 98 dB, which is painful for workers and puts
them at serious risk of hearing loss.
Question
1) What solutions can you think of to this problem?
2) How the problem was solved
To solve the problem, the presses were moved to a distance of 20 meters from the place where most of the workers were. In this way, workers were exposed to acceptable noise levels of 75-80 dB. Earmuffs were provided to the workers operating the presses and were rotated to a quieter section of the factory after up to four hours of uninterrupted work in the press area.
Scenario
The ABC Company manufactures nails. The machines that cut the nails produce a noise level of 95 dB and are located in a row in a section of the factory and have to be operated by one worker eight hours a day. All the workers have been fitted with ear protectors, but they do not wear them because it is too hot and very uncomfortable.
The union and the employer discussed the noise problem and decided that isolating the nail cutting machines would be cheaper than buying hearing protectors for all workers. Cheap, locally produced materials were used to build a fence around the machines, from floor to ceiling, with no holes, except for the entrance gate in the machine area.
The fence lowered the noise level outside the machine area to 85 dB. The workers operating the machines were asked to wear earmuffs and they were rotated out of the area after four hours of uninterrupted work in it. A sign was posted on the door reminding workers to put on earmuffs before entering the noisy area.
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