Post on 15-Dec-2015
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Noise
In textile and garment factories
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Hearing loss
Deafness due to a sudden loud noise may cause temporary of permanent deafness.
Noise-induced deafness is permenent and due to exposure of workers to 80 decibels for an eight-hour day
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Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL)
Acoustic signal enters auditory canal, via the stapes footplate hammering to the clochea. This hammering causes the fluid within the clochea to push against the ste hair cells.
Hair cells then transmit a signal to the auditory system within the brain.
Ear exposure to excessive sound levels overstimulates the hair cells, leading to cell death.This is irreversible!!!
Cochlea
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What are we talking about? Facts & Figures:
25% of the Dutch workers are exposed to harmful noise.
We talk about 1.750.000 human beings!
Estimated 250.000 people of mentioned group already have permanent hearing loss.
(Source: CBS and Ministry of Social Affairs, Association of Work related diseases FNV).
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Noise standard
Maximum 80 decibels for an eight-hour day is the recommended health standard.
A rough measure of whether the noise in which you work is too loud or not is to note whether you have to shout to be heard when you are about 30cm from other person’s ear
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International labour law
Obligations above 85 decibel: Employers need to take measures at the
noise source Workers are obliged to wear hearing
protection given by their employer Mark noise area’s Hearing test Education and training
Hearing conservation program
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Maximum exposure time
With every 3 dB the amount of noise energy
doubles while the health exposure time decreases
with 50%.
80 decibel 8 hours a day 83 decibel 4 hours a day 86 decibel 2 hours a day 89 decibel 1 hour a day 92 decibel 1/2 hour a day 95 decibel 1/4 hour a day
A difference of 3 dB(A) is hardly to perceive!!
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GeluidniveausdB(A) At work Private situation
130Saw with diamant blade
120 Chain saw Low flighing fighter jet
110 circular saw Rock band
100electric hand drill, compressor,
90Cutting torch, hand saw
Passing train on a railway station
80 Along the highway
70 Moderate office Vacuum cleaner
60 normal speech level
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Results noise measurement
factory 1:
6 production lines >80 dB(A)
2 production lines >85 dB(A)
factory 2:
5 production lines > 80 dB(A)
3 production lines > 85 dB(A)
400 to 500 workers at risc!!
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Locations were there are noise problems
Noise sourceNoise range
dB(A)dB(A) in the ear*
Slicing machine 83,1 – 85,9 67
Grater block 92,8 - 92,7 74
Box cleaning unit 82,3 – 85,1 64
Boxes in dish washer
87,9 – 90,4 70
Boxes out of dish washer
86,6 – 89,8 70
After hearing protection
DuoFit® Sonar®
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Causes Several production lines next to each other at work
Radio increases noise level with + 2,5 dB(A)
The sum of a lot of smaller noise sources in the same work place or production line
Overdue maintenance production lines and equipment
Contact noise steel boxes on the cutting machine
Lack of isolation and noise absorbing shields at the pulverize machine
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Protection measures
Above 80dBA: take measures
Thumb rule: if you can hear each other while speaking without raising your voice on one metre distance, noice level is below 80 dB(A)
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Ear muffsWorn out!
With radio and communication
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Ear plugsRight Wrong
Uniplug
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Otoplastics
Types: ER-9, ER-15 en ER-25. Typenumber indicates demping in dB(A).Good speech intelligibility
Custom made
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Reducing moise levels at the source Acquire silent machines and equipment
Reduce noise leakage from inside machines
Periodical maintenance of machinery and equipment
Balance rotating parts
Reduce friction and resistance
Isolate/damp vibration
Human@Work Occupational Health & Safety training and consultancy www.humanatwork.org
Organizational measures Purchase and replacement policy
Changes to work schedule or operations based on exposure to harmful noise
Use noise absorbing materials in the work
space like baffles on the ceiling
Place sound barriers around noisy production
lines
Consider refurbishment to reduce noise levels
Mark noisy area’s
Human@Work Occupational Health & Safety training and consultancy www.humanatwork.org
More self measures!
Discuss what measures are available to prevent noise deafness with you safety officer or manager
Agree rules of conduct
Wear fitting hearing protection constently
Help to remind each other to wear hearing protection
Turn off the radio in noisy area’s
What counts at work, counts at home!
Human@Work Occupational Health & Safety training and consultancy www.humanatwork.org
Hearing protection
The best hearing protection is the one the employee will wear consistently and correctly!