Occupational Health and Safety
Presented by:
Erin, Lxxx,
Lxxx, Rxxxxxx, Pxxxxx

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Background
What is noise?
Mechanics of hearing and types of hearing loss
Identify
Assessing the problem
Legal considerations
Control in the workplace
HR Challenges
Case Studies: Canadian National and Husky Injection
Final Thought
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As long as humans have had ears, they have had hearing loss
Noise became an issue in the workplace with the onset of the Industrial Revolution
Over 1,000,000 workers in Canada are exposed to noise in the workplace
Noise-induced hearing loss is the most prevalent, irreversible occupational hazard
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Ontario legislation for noise found in Industrial
Establishments Section 139
Federal regulations set out in Canada Labour
Code
In 2000, WSIB paid out almost $20M in noiserelated claims
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26% more than previous two years
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Noise is a growing concern in the workforce
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Noise is a physical agent.
This means that it has physical energy resulting from the vibration of an object and the subsequent movement of air molecules.
Noise is ambient.
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Sound is what we hear .
Noise is unwanted sound .
Ex. Rock music can be pleasurable to some, annoying to others. In either case, it can be hazardous to a person’s hearing if the sound is loud, and if the listener is exposed long and often enough.
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Outer
Eardrum (middle ear)
Cochlea (inner ear)
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Continuous: noise heard constantly throughout the shift
Intermittent: noise heard off and on throughout the shift
Impulse/Impact: a sudden, loud burst of noise of very short duration
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The first step in assessing noise exposure in the workplace is to conduct a noise survey .
Things to consider:
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Purpose of measurement (compliance with noise regulations, hearing loss prevention, etc.)
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Noise patterns (where they occur in the workplace, and how often)
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Locations of people who are exposed to the hazard
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Exposure Limits in Ontario, Reg. 851; S.139(5)(b)
Column 1
Sound level – in dB
90
92
95
97
100
102
105
110
115
0ver 115
Column 2
Duration – for 24h day
4
3
8
6
2
1.5
1
0.5
0.25 or less
No exposure
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At the source:
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Engineering controls
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Designing quieter machines
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Modifying existing equipment
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Isolating vibrating parts within a machine
Add sound-absorbing materials or mufflers
Vibration padding
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Along the path:
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Separate worker from noise source
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Redesign floor plan of work area
Keep rest areas, lunch rooms, etc. away from noise source
Erect sound barriers
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Use sound-absorptive materials
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Acoustic tiles
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At the worker:
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Job rotation
Conduct noisy operations during non-working hours
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Personal protective equipment
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Earplugs, earmuffs
Least costly method
Most commonly used
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However, not always the most effective!
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Control at the source is generally the most expensive
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Involves heavy capital investment in new equipment and machinery redesign
HR must convince executives that this is a necessary expense using a cost-benefit analysis
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Noisebased illness, absenteeism, worker’s compensation costs
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Required workplace training on noise hazards
Work alongside JHSC
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Evaluate effectiveness of programs
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Monitor noise hazards in the workplace
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Record-keeping and scheduling of noise and hearing tests
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Maintain records for WSIB claims in case of injury
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Should include:
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Trained program coordinator
Worker involvement (JHSC or worker rep)
Noise hazard information available to JHSC
Noise surveys
Engineering program with dates, progress checks and reduction priorities
Maintenance program monitored by
JHSC
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Worker training and education
Annual review/evaluation of program
Success of program depends on worker and management participation
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Canadian National (CN)
CN has been aware of noise hazards for at least 20 years
1991 → CN Hearing Conservation Program
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4 elements:
1) Sound level measurements
Identify (where noise may pose a hazard) and quantify exposure
2) Results:
Sound level indicate (8 hours average exposure) exceed 87 dBA
 the additional elements of their hearing conservation program are implemented.
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Manufacturer of molding machines and robotics
Over past several years, have been reducing the sound pressure levels of their machines
Acoustic Dampening
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All products have this as a standard feature
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Caps noise output at 70 dB
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“ Noise control should include measures to limit the noise at the source, to control the sound transmission path, to protect the receiver’s site, to plan land use, and to raise public awareness.
With careful planning, exposure to noise can be avoided or reduced.”
- World Health Organization,
1998
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National Safety Council, Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene. Barbara A. Plog Editor,
Third Edition, 1988, 915 pages.
Montgomery, J.; Kelloway. K. Management of Occupational Health and Safety. NELSON, series in Human Resources Management, NELSON Thomson Learning, Second Edition,
2002, 281 pages.
Pocket Ontario Occupational Health & Safety Act & Regulation. Consolidated edition,
Carswell a Thomson company, 2002, 773 pages.
Armstrong, Jim. Sound advice: sensible solutions for noise and hearing loss . Canadian
Occupational Safety, v.35 (4) J1/ Ag’97, p.14-16.
Pathak-Bhawani. Tackling noise: are you workers slowly developing noise-induced hearing loss?
Occupational Health & Safety, v.14(6) O/N’98, p. 42-46.
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/noisehearingconservation/index.html#Recognition http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/noise_basic.html
http://www.readyforwork.sk.ca/fast-facts/noise.htm
http://www.whsc.on.ca/publications/hazardbulletins/fall2001/noise.htm
http://www.chs.ca/info/noise/book2.html
http://www.gov.on.ca
Workplace Health and Safety Agency. Health & Safety in your Workplace. Produced by the Communications Department of the Workplace Health and Safety Agency, Toronto, 1994.
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