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Noise in the workplace WH Kelly Ltd

Noise in the workplace WH Kelly Ltd. Greg Gillard Injury Prevention Consultant. Noise. Reactions and emotions that we associate with: Screeching tyres Breaking glass Mr. Whippy Dentist drill Music. Noise and Acoustics. Noise-induced Hearing Loss Causes no pain

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Noise in the workplace WH Kelly Ltd

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  1. Noise in the workplaceWH Kelly Ltd Greg Gillard Injury Prevention Consultant

  2. Noise • Reactions and emotions that we associate with: • Screeching tyres • Breaking glass • Mr. Whippy • Dentist drill • Music

  3. Noise and Acoustics • Noise-induced Hearing Loss • Causes no pain • Causes no visible trauma • Leaves no visible scars • Is unnoticeable in its earliest stages • Accumulates with each over-exposure • Takes years to diagnose • Is permanent and almost always preventable

  4. How We Hear • Nerve cells in the cochlea are tuned to specific frequencies • Base of the cochlea is sensitive to high frequency sounds • Tip of the cochlea is sensitive to low frequency (bass/deep) sounds

  5. Exposure • 76-year old man • Low noise exposure • Fewer receptorsbut still intact • 17-year old girl • Low noise exposure • Normal cochlea • Receptors intact • 59-year old man • High noise exposure • Damaged cochlea • Receptors destroyed

  6. Safe Noise Levels Low noiseNormal cochlea At safe noise levels, sound waves move along the cochlea without damaging receptor cells

  7. Loud Noise Levels Loud noise levels damage the first turn of cochlea High noiseDamaged cochlea Loud noise levels damage the first turn of cochlea High Frequencies Damaged

  8. Noise And Acoustics Noise And Acoustics If you must RAISE YOUR VOICE TO BE UNDERSTOOD over the background noise when standing about 1 metre away from somebody that background noise is hazardous

  9. How often do we see this?

  10. Noise EquipmentDecibelsTime Limit • Power drill 88 4 hours • Heavy truck 91 2 hours • Lawnmower 94 1 hour • Power saw 97 30 mins • Pneumatic drill 100 15 mins • Concrete saw 103 8 mins • Loud stereo 106 4 mins • Commercial jet 109 2 mins • Trail bike 112 1 mins • Chainsaw 115 30 secs • Powder Powered Tools 140 hearing damage

  11. NOISE AND ACOUSTICS Hazardous noise exposures are cumulative Work Home

  12. Controlling Noise • How can you control your exposure to dangerous levels of noise? • Use the control hierarchy – eliminate, isolate, minimise • Remove plant from the immediate work area • Isolate using soundproofing, do the job at time when others are not in the work area • Use new technology that is quieter • As a last resort minimise using PPE – ear muffs and plugs

  13. Controlling Noise • Ear Muffs and Ear Plugs • Minimise your exposure to damaging noise levels • Classified 1-5 by the amount of noise reduction they provide • It can be dangerous to have too much or too little protection • Many different types and varieties to suit individuals

  14. Controlling Noise • Ear Muffs • Must give you a good seal around the outer ear • Must be worn directly over the ear • Remove hair from around the muffs • Don’t wear over hoodies

  15. 1. Rollentire earplug into a crease-free cylinder 2. Pull Backpinna by reaching over head with free hand, gently pull top of ear up and out 3. Insertearplug well into ear canal and hold until it fully expands Fitting Ear Plugs

  16. 3 2 1 Which ear is protected?

  17. And so the problem grows…..

  18. For more info………. ACC website • www.acc.co.nz Department of Labour website • www. http://www.dol.govt.nz

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