Industrial Noise Control –

the Singapore Experience

Industrial Noise Control –

the Singapore Experience

Kia Tang TANDeputy Director (Hygiene)

Dr Magdalene O Y CHANDirector

Kia Tang TANDeputy Director (Hygiene)

Dr Magdalene O Y CHANDirector

Occupational Health DepartmentOccupational Safety and Health DivisionMinistry of Manpower, Singapore

Industrialisation -Noise Pollution: attendant “necessary evil”?

Industrialisation -Noise Pollution: attendant “necessary evil”?

Progressive transformation over 40 years…

From entrepot trade to manufacturing…

Now increasingly supported by information technology

Over 68,800 workers are exposed to noise in Singapore

Over 68,800 workers are exposed to noise in Singapore

Changing Industry Profile, Improving Trends

Average Noise Levels* in High Risk Workplaces

81.7

81.9 81.8

82.483.4

80

81

82

83

84

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004Year

Le

q,8

h, d

BA

* 8-hr equivalent noise levels averaged over a 3-year period, e.g. for 2004, the noise level is averaged over 2002, 2003 and 2004. Based on results of noise monitoring conducted every 3

years as required under the Factories (Noise) Regulations.

• 8-fold decline in incidence of NID (1976-2004)

• Decreasing noise exposure levels…

No Single Solution …No Single Solution …

• Regulatory mechanism

• Training, information & guidance

• Incentives

• Engineering & technological innovations

Hearing Conservation On Wheels …

Raising Awareness

Mobile Audiometric Testing Facility… 1976-1983

Regulatory Framework

Factories (Medical Examinations) Regulations Factories (Medical Examinations) Regulations

Factories ActFactories Act• Effective means to reduce noise

• Hearing protectors

• Pre-employment & annual examinations

• Audiometry

• Designated Factory Doctor

• Pre-employment & annual examinations

• Audiometry

• Designated Factory Doctor

Regulatory Framework

Factories (Noise) Regulations Factories (Noise) Regulations

Permissible exposure limits

Noise Control measures

Competent persons for noise monitoring & noise control

Regulations Relating to Environmental Noise Limits

Public Health (Boundary Noise Limits for Factory Premises) Regulations Public Health (Boundary Noise Limits for Factory Premises) Regulations

Environmental Pollution Control (Control of Noise at Construction Sites) Regulations

Environmental Pollution Control (Control of Noise at Construction Sites) Regulations

Ministry of the Environment and Water ResourcesMinistry of the Environment and Water Resources

Codes of Practice

Industrial Noise ControlIndustrial Noise Control

Selection, Use, Care and Maintenance of Hearing Protectors

Selection, Use, Care and Maintenance of Hearing Protectors

Codes of Practice

Noise Control on Construction and Demolition Sites

Noise Control on Construction and Demolition Sites

Surveillance and Enforcement Activities

Checks at factory registration stage

High risk workplaces targetted

Focus on noise labelling, noise control, assessment reports and control planning

National exposure database

Incentives For Action …

Tax Incentive SchemeTax Incentive Scheme

One-year accelerated depreciation allowanceOne-year accelerated depreciation allowanceLow-decibel new machinery orLow-decibel new machinery or

Installation of noise control equipmentInstallation of noise control equipment

Noise level at or below 82 dBANoise level at or below 82 dBA

>6dBA reduction

• Entire Premises <85dBA

• Entire Premises < 90 dBA• Hearing Conservation Programme

REDUCTION IN EXPOSUREREDUCTION IN EXPOSURE

Machine/ProcessMachine/ProcessMachine/ProcessMachine/Process

Entire Premises Entire Premises

OCCUPATIONAOCCUPATIONAL HEALTHL HEALTH

BEST BEST PRACTICES PRACTICES

AWARDAWARD

OCCUPATIONAOCCUPATIONAL HEALTHL HEALTH

BEST BEST PRACTICES PRACTICES

AWARDAWARD

Incentives For Action …

Raising Awareness, Building Capabilities…

Information & GuidanceInformation & Guidance

Guidelines on Industrial Noise & Vibration Control

Guidelines on an Effective Hearing Conservation Programme

Guidelines on Noise Labelling

Fact Sheet on Noise-induced Deafness

Fact Sheet on the Factories (Noise) Regulations 1996

Guidelines on Industrial Noise & Vibration Control

Guidelines on an Effective Hearing Conservation Programme

Guidelines on Noise Labelling

Fact Sheet on Noise-induced Deafness

Fact Sheet on the Factories (Noise) Regulations 1996

Training of Competent PersonsTraining of Competent Persons

Noise monitoring

Noise control

Noise emission and labelling

Audiometric screening

Noise monitoring

Noise control

Noise emission and labelling

Audiometric screening

Monitoring Facilities & Practice Standards

Monitoring Facilities & Practice Standards

Raising Awareness, Building Capabilities…

Promotional ActivitiesPromotional Activities

Reaching out to industryReaching out to industry

Collaborative projects on Hearing Conservation

Collaborative projects on Hearing Conservation

Raising Awareness, Building Capabilities…

Sharing Best Practices

Global Web PortalGlobal Web Portal

Learning from Success Stories…Learning from Success Stories…

Meeting the ChallengeMeeting the Challenge

Multi-pronged ApproachMulti-pronged Approach

Proactive StrategyProactive Strategy

Focussed EffortsFocussed Efforts

Leveraging PartnershipsLeveraging Partnerships