Hearing loss Noise control, hearing protection and HSE ...–Hearing loss only affects old people...
Transcript of Hearing loss Noise control, hearing protection and HSE ...–Hearing loss only affects old people...
Health and Safety ExecutiveAwdurdod Gweithredol lechyd a Diogelwch
Health and SafetyExecutive
Hearing loss
Noise control, hearing protection
and HSE Regulation
Paul Delderfield
HM Specialist Inspector
(Noise and Vibration)
What’s so bad about
hearing loss?
Impact
Impact
• Prejudice:
– Hearing loss only affects old people
– Hearing impaired people are stupid
• Quality of life:
– Increases the risks to mental health
– Impact on social functioning
• Safety issues:
– Audibility of communications and alarms
Noise Induced Hearing Loss –
Civil claims
Noise
• Noise is a potential risk whenever
exposures regularly reach or exceed the
upper exposure action value (UEAV) of
an LEP,d of 85 dB(A).
• If two people standing 2 metres apart
have to shout to talk to each other AND
• If people are exposed to that noise for
most of the day then their exposure is
likely to be at or above the UEAV.
Test
Probable
Noise
Level
A risk
assessment will
be need if noise
lasts for more
than:
Exposures
above UEAV if
noise lasts for
more than:
The noise is intrusive but
normal conversation is
possible.
80dB 6 hours 23 hours
You have to shout to talk
to someone 2 m away.85dB 2 hours 8 hours
You have to shout to talk
to someone 1 m away.90dB 45 minutes 2.5 hours
Is it Noisy?
Noise labelling – wood chipper
What does the Law require?
• Identify noise hazards
• Estimate likely exposure to
noise/vibration
• Eliminate, reduce, control and
protect
• Record what you will do
• L108 – HSE guidance to the
regulations
Risk Assessment
• Assessment (reliable estimate) of
exposure, allowing:
• Assessment of risk, leading to:
• Identification of necessary measures for
compliance, recorded as a:
• List of measures that need to be taken
(Action plan)
Do I have to Measure?
•No!
Regulation 5
• (2) In conducting the risk assessment the
employer shall assess the levels of noise to
which workers are exposed by means of –
– (a) Observation of specific working practices;
– (b) Reference to relevant information on the
probable levels of noise corresponding to
any equipment used in the particular working
conditions; and
• If necessary, measurement of the level of noise
to which his employees are likely to be exposed,
• Regulation 5(2) – The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
Useful tools
Hierarchy of Control
• Eliminate - don’t do it
• Substitution – find a safer way to do it
• Engineering controls - Source safer tools
or equipment/adaptations
• Administrative Controls – Job rotation,
time limiting
• PPE
Eliminate
• Overall landscape and design
Eliminate
• Frequency of cuts
Eliminate
• Low maintenance planting
Substitution
• Remote Control – reduce noise and
vibration, also could be faster
Safer tools
• Investigate Battery tools
Administrative controls
• Job rotation
• Time limiting
• Only after implementing
all ‘higher level’ controls
Role of Hearing Protection (PPE)
• To be used as an interim measure while
technical and organisational noise
controls are being implemented.
• Where daily noise exposure has been
reduced to ‘As low as reasonably
practicable’ but is still over the UEAV (85
dB(A))
PPE is not a robust control
PPE is not a robust control
PPE is not a robust control
Incorrect storage Poor maintenance
Consistency of use Correctly selected
Consistency of use
Consistency of use
Hearing Protection Selection
• Protectors that reduce the level at the ear
to below 70dB should be avoided since
this over-protection may cause difficulties
with communications and hearing
warning signals. Users may become
isolated from their environment, leading to
safety risks, and generally may have a
tendency to remove hearing protection
and therefore risk damage to their
hearing.– HSE Control or Noise at Work Regulations Guidance L108
Hearing protection calculator
А-weighted noise level
(dB)
Select a protector with
an SNR of…..
85-90 20 or less
90-95 20-30
95-100 25-35
100-105 30 or more
Hearing protection
• If hearing protection is relied on, usage
must include:
– Selection of appropriate protection
– Training of users in hazards, correct
fitment and hygiene
– Supervision and monitoring of correct
use
– Storage facilities and maintenance
programme
– Replacement when required
PPE and Safety?
• Eg Protac III
Health Surveillance (Regulation 9)
• If you are using hearing protection you
probably need health surveillance
(annual audiometry)
• Specific duty on health surveillance for
hearing damage
• Risk-based regulation
• Health surveillance should be provided
where exposures frequently exceed
upper action values (Guidance)
Consider setting up your own Buy
Quiet Scheme
Consider setting up your own Buy
Quiet Scheme
• Know the noise level from your equipment.
• When purchasing or replacing tools compare
noise levels.
• Consider a noise specification when
purchasing.
• Consider asking for suppliers to prove
compliance with specs.
• Tell suppliers if you have issues.
• Tell your industry/HSE (Good or Bad)
DescriptionSound Pressure Level (LpA or LAeq
dB)
Chainsaw 105
Petrol driven grass mower 96
Wood Chippers 101-120
Cylinder mower - pedestrian 88
cylinder mower – stand on 87
Cylinder mower - ride on 90
Rotary mower 89
Rotary cultivator 90
Hoe cultivator 93
hand held blower/duster 89
hand held hedge cutter 93
Typical Noise levels
• HSE’s noise data – see our website
Summary
• Identify noise hazards and likely
exposures
•Control• If exposures still above UEAV (85dB(A))
then use hearing protection to control
residual risk and provide health
surveillance