Noise Control in Industry: A Basic Guide

Recognize noise problems, take steps to control it, and develop a hearing conservation program.

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Section I Why do we worry about noise

Health effects: Auditory effects
Health Effects: Non-Auditory Effects
- Physiological Effects
- Performance Effects
Effect on Pregnancy

Section II Basics of Noise

What is noise?
How do I know if I have noise problem in my workplace?
Production and Transmission of Noise
Units and Measures of Noise
- Frequency
- Sound Pressure
Units and Measures of Workplace Noise
- A-Weighted Noise Levels
- Sound Pressure Level and Sound Energy
- Continuous, Variable, Intermittent and Impulse Noise
Sound Power
- Relationship Between Sound Pressure Level and Sound Power Level

Section III Measures of Workplace Noise

Workplace Noise Level
Noise Exposure Level of an Employee
Relationship Between Noise Exposure Level and Noise Level Time Weighted Average (TWA) Noise
Exposure Level
- Comparison: TWA based on 3-dB and 5-dB exchange rates (rules)
Evaluation of Noise Exposure Level

Section IV Instruments and Methods of Measuring Noise

Identifying Noise Problem
Planning Noise Measurement
Selecting Noise Measuring Instruments
- Sound Level Meter
- Integrating Sound Level Meter
- Noise Dosimeter
- Octave Band Analyzers
Effects of Environmental Conditions on Noise Data
- Correction for Background Noise
Conducting Noise Measurements
- Noise Survey
- Measuring Equivalent Noise Using An Integrating Sound Level Meter
- Noise Dosimetry
- Measuring Impulse/Impact Noise
Documenting Noise Levels Data

Section V Evaluating the Risk of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Types of Hearing Loss
- Permanent Hearing Loss
- Hearing Loss Due to Aging
- Other Causes of Hearing Loss
Measures of Hearing Loss
- Hearing Disability
Relationship Between Noise Exposure And Hearing Loss

Section VI Occupational Noise Exposure Limits

Noise Exposure Limits
- Exposure Limits for Impulse/Impact Noise
- Noise Exposure Limits for Extended Workshifts
- Deciding Exposure Limits for Extended Workshifts
Canadian and U.S. Noise Regulations
Synergistic Effects: Ototoxic Chemicals
Office Noise Levels

Section VII Managing Workplace Noise Problems

Hearing Conservation Program Components
Noise Monitoring: Hazard Identification
Noise Reduction: Engineering Controls
- At the Source
- Along the Path
Hearing Protection
- Advantages and Limitations of Earplugs and Earmuffs
- Standards
Hearing Measurement
Administrative Controls
Employee Training
Program Evaluation and Continuous Improvement

Section VIII Occupational Health and Safety Legislation

Canadian Legislation
What Does the OH & S Legislation Say
Workplace Hazardous Material Information System WHMIS)
U.S. Legislation

Section IX Information Sources

In Canada
In the U.S.A..

Appendix A. Sound Pressure Level Calculations

Definition of Decibel (dB)
Convert Dose to Equivalent Sound Level (Leq)

Appendix B. Relevant Noise Standards

Canadian Standards Association
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

Appendix C. Further Reading

Appendix D. Sound Absorbing and Sound Attenuation of Some Building Materials and Furnishings

Single book:: $20.00 $20.00 ^*

Format:: PDF

Language:: English | French

Description

Designed and written as a practical workplace training and reference tool. This 136-page pocket guide is filled with clear-language text including safety tips, charts, diagrams, checklists and illustrations.

Objectives

This guide will enable you to:

Develop an understanding of recognition methods and control methods for occupational noise exposure;
Identify jobs that can potentially pose a risk of harmful noise exposure;
Plan workplace noise surveys and personal noise exposure measurements;
Understand noise survey data and identify needs for further action; and
Develop and implement a hearing conservation program.

Scope

This guide provides basic knowledge and skills for preventing hearing loss due to noise exposure. It presents a step by step approach for dealing with workplace noise problems, namely:

Recognize potential noise problems;
Measure workplace noise levels and personal noise exposure levels (noise dose);
Evaluate the risk of hearing loss;
Develop and implement noise controls; and
Evaluate the effectiveness of controls.

This guide is written in plain, non-technical language. Details of mathematical techniques for calculations using decibel and other logarithmic quantities are beyond the scope of this guide. Such information is available from the Inquiries Service of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS). For a detailed technical evaluation of noise exposure and implementation of control measures, a noise specialist should be consulted.

Target Audience

This guide is for workers, their supervisors, health and safety committee members, health and safety representatives, industrial hygienists, occupational health and safety nurses and others with an interest in hearing conservation. The technical level of this guide meets the needs of the target audience.

Each publication produced by CCOHS undergoes several stages of review. As part of this review, representatives from government, employers, and labour are requested to comment on draft copies of CCOHS documents for technical accuracy and readability.

Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy and completeness of the information, it is understood that CCOHS makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of such information and assumes no liability for any damages or loss suffered as a result of any inaccuracy or incompleteness therein.

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CCOHS publications are unique in that they are developed by subject specialists in the field, and reviewed by representatives from labour, employers and government to ensure the content and approach are unbiased and credible.