Hearing Conservation Noise Exposure Standard 29 CFR 1910.95 Facilities Management By: Chaizong Lor, Safety Coordinator

Hearing Conservation Training Objectives: Provision of Noise Information Hearing Safety Explain how hearing loss occurs Categories of Hearing Loss Hearing Prevention Methods The Noise Reduction Rating Noise Hazard Signs FP&M Hearing Conservation Program Summary

Provision of Noise Information What is Noise? A sound that is unwanted because of: Intensity Frequency Duration Sound is produced by vibrating objects and reaches a person’s ears as waves in the air or other media. A vibration in the air transmitted by the eardrum and bones of the middle ear to the inner ear. Noise means different things to different people. One person says is music but other person says is noise. We are exposed to noise at work, home and in traffic. If it get loud enough, it can cause problem. Unwanted Sound: Characterized by the intensity, frequency, continuous and duration of sound. Sound: The result of pressure changes in the air caused by vibration.

Jack-Hammer, Rock Concert Car Stereo, Band Practice Noise Risk Factors Intensity: The loudness of sound, or the pressure it exerts through the ear. Noise Levels: Jet Take - Off Most Severe Gun Shot 150 150 140 130 120 110 100 90 80 70 60 140 Jack-Hammer, Rock Concert 130 Car Stereo, Band Practice 120 Dance Clubs, Headphones 110 Factory 100 Subway Intensity: The loudness of sound, or the pressure it exerts through the ear. Action Level (85dBA): If you are exposed to an average of 85 decibels for 8 hours your are being exposed to noise levels that could damage your hearing. Busy Street 90 80 Restaurant 70 Normal Speech 60 Decibels Action Level (85 dBA) Least Severe

Provision of Noise Information Noise Risk Factors Cont. Frequency Frequency is the number of sound waves (high and low pressure areas) produced by a noise source passing a given point per second. Duration The amount of time you are exposed to a sound level. Continuous such as: Music, grinders, engine running Impulse It should not exceed 140 dBA peak sound pressure level as measured by an impulsive type sound level meter. Example, Pneumatic tools, punch press, gun shots, firecracker are more damaging Frequency: The number of times per second that a vibrating body completes one cycle of motion. The unit for frequency is the hertz (Hz = 1 cycle per second) The higher the pitch of the sound, the higher the frequency Continuous – music, grinders, engineers running. Impulse – Should not exceed 140 dBA peak sound pressure level as measured by an impulsive type sound level meter. Pneumatic tools, punch press, gun shots – more damaging.

Hearing Safety If you have to shout at 3 feet in order to be understood you should be wearing hearing protection. Off-the-job activities (woodworking, shooting, etc.) can hurt your hearing. - Hearing protection is recommended. Never remove hearing protection in high noise areas. Do NOT share hearing protection with others. How do you know when it is 85 or greater?

Explain how hearing loss occurs Types of Hearing Effects 3 Physiological Effects: Psychological Effects: Interference With Communication It is noise-induced loss or aural pain, nausea and reduced muscular control. Physiological effects: Noise-induced hearing loss or aural pain, nausea and reduced muscular control. Psychological effects: Such as depression and nervousness are a result of the ear's inability to adjust to sound (i.e. disrupt concentration of sleep). Effects such as depression and nervousness are a result of the ear’s inability to adjust to sound (i.e. disrupt concentration of sleep). Not being able to communicate well with others can cause arguments, depression, loneliness, and a sense of helplessness.

Explain how hearing loss occurs Inner Ear Outer Ear Middle Ear Outer Ear Inner Middle Human ear has 3 Parts The outer ear or pinna, funnels sound waves into the ear canal, which will lead to the eardrum. It will catch dirt and particles in the canal that contains cerumen or wax. Ear Consists of three parts: Outer ear: the visible outer portion of the ear and ear canal Middle ear: the eardrum and three tiny bones Inner ear: the fluid-filled cochlea, which contains thousands of tiny sound receptors called hair cells Irreversible: The loss of future options Has three tiny bones and ear drum which can rupture from sudden high sound pressure level. Has cochlea with tiny hair cells connected to nerves. It signals the brain, which lets you know what sound you heard. Damage is irreversible.

Categories of Hearing Loss Conductive Hearing Loss: Occurs when the sound vibration from the outer and middle ear is unable to stimulate the inner ear, due to some form of interference but the inner ear functions normally. The outer ear is generally susceptible to physical damage or infection. Possible causes of a conductive loss include: A build-up of fluid in the middle ear. Wax in the ear canal. Puncturing of the eardrum. Conductive Hearing loss: Outer Ear – e.g. Wax build-up in the auditory canal. Middle Ear – Fluid build-up in the middle ear due to infection Note: It results in a decrease in your hearing, but you can still understand speech. The problem lies between the outer ear and middle ear. Most conductive hearing losses can be corrected medically.

Categories of Hearing Loss Cont. Sensory Hearing loss: Damage to or a malfunction of the inner ear, auditory nerve, or the brain. The causes of Sensory Hearing loss: Genetic Disorders. The natural aging process. Exposure to loud noises. Infection or other disease. Genetic Disorder: Genetic (inherited) disorders interfere with the proper development of the inner ear and the auditory nerve. How it effects us depend on age, health, frequency of sound, length of exposure.

Categories of Hearing Loss Cont. Aging Presbycusis: The gradual loss of hearing due to increasing age. Two theories of Presbycusis: Caused by changes of blood supply to the inner ear that decreases with age. Cumulative effect of noise exposure. Exposure to Noise Prolonged exposure to loud noise can also destroy the sensitive hair cells of the cochlea. Brief exposure to loud noises (85 dBA or louder) can also cause a temporary damage. Presbycusis: Loss of sensitivity to high frequencies. Most of us will experience some decline in auditory sensitivity with age. On average, age related decline in function is not detectable prior to age 65. Symptoms of Presbycusis: The speech of others seems mumbled or slurred, tinnitus (ringing, roaring, hissing sound in one or both ears. Changes in the vasculature: Blood supply to the inner ear decreases with age.

Categories of Hearing Loss Cont. Symptoms of Over Exposure Do Not ignore these symptoms: Dullness in hearing. Ringing in the ear (Tinnitus). Difficulty hearing a conversation against a noisy background. Other Dangers of Noise: Increased Fatigue, errors. Increased Stress and/or irritability. Elevated Blood Pressure. Decreased Productivity. Ringing: - Losing sleep due to tinnitus. Tinnitus: - The most common cause is exposure to noise. It accompanied by dizziness, nausea, pressure in the ear, and distorted hearing.

Hearing Prevention Methods Engineering Controls Enclosure Provide an easy, secure and effective way to isolate noisy machines. Sound barriers Materials used to stop sound from a noisy machine or equipment. Sound proof cabs Better design of machinery & equipment, insulate the machinery to reduce the noise & isolate workers in soundproof booths. Equipment and exhaust Proper maintenance of equipment & exhaust prevents the extra noise of machine & dirty exhaust. Engineering Controls: Sound Barriers: Best if close to person or machine and depends on the frequency of the noise. - are materials used to stop sound from leaving an area

Hearing Prevention Methods Cont. Administrative Controls Decreasing the exposure time Limiting the amount of time a worker spends in a high noise area to less than 8 hours. Limiting the number of personnel exposed The number of employees working in the noisy area should be limited to the absolute minimum. Arranging a work roster system A roster system could be arranged when employees are not working in the same areas everyday. Administrative Controls: Limiting the amount of time a worker spend in a high noise area. The amount of time the employee is exposed to high noise levels without regard for hearing protection should be decreased to less than 8 hours. The number of employees working in the noisy area should be limited to the absolute minimum. A roster system could be arranged where employees are not working in the same areas everyday.

Hearing Prevention Methods Cont. Hearing Protectors “Earplugs” Description These devices fit into the ear canal between the outer and middle ear and block the sound from reaching the sensitive inner ear. Made of foam material that is rolled and inserted, expands to fit snugly. How to fit and wear Wash hands, roll and compress into a cylinder. Reach one hand around the back of the head and pull ear up and out. Insert into the ear canal. Hold in place until it begins to expand and excludes noise. Hearing Protection: Earplugs are available as preformed inserts made of rubber, plastic or foam and hand-formed inserts of disposable materials Before inserting a form earplugs: Stretch it out, roll it into cylinder and leave the shape alone

Hearing Prevention Methods Cont. Earplugs Care Inspect before insertion and discard if damaged or dirty. Advantages Small, inexpensive, portable, comfortable in warm weather, disposable, can hear others speaking. Disadvantages Requires a good fit, cannot be inserted with dirty hands, cannot be worn with ear infections, might become loose over time.

Hearing Prevention Methods Cont. Hearing Protectors “Ear-band” Description Over the head, in front the neck and behind the neck. Advantages Soft pieces pressed against ear canal by spring-loaded band. More convenient than earmuffs. Can provide adequate protection. Flexible tips. Do not extend into the ear canal. Only cover canal opening. Disadvantages May become uncomfortable over time. Soft pieces are bulky for some employees. Cannot be inserted with dirty hands. Earband: Over the head, in front the neck and behind the neck.

Hearing Prevention Methods Cont. Hearing Protectors “Earmuffs” Description This style protector consists of cups which fit over the entire outer ear to help seal out noise. May be connected to the hard hat or held together by a head band. How to fit and wear Cushioned caps connected by a spring loaded headband. Adjust the headband to ensure that the seals are in complete contact with the head. Ensure the ear cup fits over the entire outer ear.

Hearing Prevention Methods Cont. Earmuffs Care Wipe cushions when they become soiled. Replace if stiff, worn, cut or torn. Advantages Can be worn with ear plugs for extreme noise exposure. Reduction of approximately 28-50 dBA. Easy to put on and remove. Can be worn despite ear infections. Disadvantages Bulky and can be uncomfortable in warm weather.

Proper Use of Hearing Protection Earplugs must be properly inserted Roll the earplug up into a small, thin "snake" with your fingers. You can use one/both hands. Pull the top of your ear up and back with your opposite hand to straighten out your ear canal. The rolled-up earplug should slide right in. Hold the earplug gently in with your fingertip for one minute until the form expands and has made a good seal.

The Noise Reduction Rating The Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) is a rating given to hearing protection devices. The NRR is used to estimate how well the device reduces noise, the higher the number the greater the noise reduction.

The Noise Reduction Rating Cont. Determine “real life” NRR according to OSHA: Lmeasured – (NRR - 7 dB) = LHPD For example, your ear plugs have an NRR of 25 and you are exposed to 95 dB, so: 95 – (25 - 7) = 77 dB So if you wear hearing protection as directed, 100% of the time during noisy work, your exposure will decrease from 95 dB to 77 dB.

Noise Hazard Signs Used when engineering controls do not work, or are not feasible. Use Yellow and Black signs to mark hazards. Large signs for entire areas. Small stickers for individual equipment. Post areas as Hearing Protection Required if sound levels at or above 90dBA.

FM Hearing Conservation Program Program requirement: Protect workers from risks to their hearing caused by noise. Prevent hearing loss and deafness as a result of exposure to noise at work. Identify noise problems and if noise levels are above 85dB(A), measurements must be taken and assessed by a competent person. General duty to reduce the level of noise exposure by engineering or administrative means.

FM HCP Cont. Program Requirement If noise level is above 85dB(A): Inform employees of the noise levels present and measures taken to reduce exposure. Make ear protection available and provide training in its use Hearing checks must be made available to employees exposed to noise levels in excess of 85dB(A) over an 8 hour TWA. employees exposed over the permissible exposure limit of 90 dB over an 8-hour TWA.

Summary Be able to recognize the potential hazards of noise and its symptoms. Be able to use noise control methods such as Engineering Control, Administrative Control, and PPE to avoid exposure to noise Wear hearing protection properly Proper fit to ensure protection Must maintain a good seal Readjust as necessary Hearing is one of your basic human senses and must be protected. Unwanted or unpleasant levels of sounds is called noise and can damage your ability to hear. Potentially damaging noise can be found both on and off the job and you must protect yourself in both situations. Protect you hearing, once its gone it cannot be replaced.

Revision Dated: September 15th, 2014 Any Questions ?? Please visit FM Website (http://www.uwec.edu/facmgt/safety/traininglist.htm) for additional information. Revision Dated: September 15th, 2014