Industrial Noise Control –
the Singapore Experience
Kia Tang TAN
Deputy Director (Hygiene)
Dr Magdalene O Y CHAN
Director
Occupational Health Department
Occupational Safety and Health Division
Ministry of Manpower, Singapore
Industrialisation Noise Pollution: attendant “necessary evil”?
Over 68,800 workers are exposed to noise in Singapore
Progressive transformation over 40 years…
From entrepot trade to manufacturing…
Now increasingly supported by information technology
Changing Industry Profile, Improving Trends
• 8-fold decline in incidence of NID (1976-2004)
• Decreasing noise exposure levels…
Average Noise Levels* in High Risk Workplaces
Leq,8h, dBA
84
83
83.4
82.4
81.9
82
81.8
81.7
81
80
2000
2001
2002
Year
2003
2004
* 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.
No Single Solution …
• Regulatory mechanism
• Training, information & guidance
• Incentives
• Engineering & technological innovations
Raising Awareness
Hearing Conservation On Wheels …
Mobile Audiometric Testing Facility…
1976-1983
Regulatory Framework
Factories Act
• Effective means to reduce noise
• Hearing protectors
Factories (Medical Examinations) Regulations
• Pre-employment & annual examinations
• Audiometry
• Designated Factory Doctor
Regulatory Framework
Factories (Noise) Regulations
Permissible exposure limits
Noise Control measures
Competent persons for noise
monitoring & noise control
Regulations Relating to
Environmental Noise Limits
Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources
Public Health (Boundary Noise Limits for
Factory Premises) Regulations
Environmental Pollution Control (Control of
Noise at Construction Sites) Regulations
Codes of Practice
Selection, Use, Care and
Maintenance of Hearing
Protectors
Industrial Noise Control
Codes of Practice
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 Scheme
One-year accelerated depreciation allowance
Low-decibel new machinery or
Installation of noise control equipment
Noise level at or below 82 dBA
Incentives For Action …
OCCUPATIONAL
HEALTH
BEST
REDUCTION IN EXPOSURE
PRACTICES
Machine/Process
AWARD
>6dBA reduction
Entire Premises
• Entire Premises < 90 dBA
• Hearing Conservation Programme
• Entire Premises <85dBA
Raising Awareness, Building Capabilities…
Information & 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
Raising Awareness, Building Capabilities…
Training of Competent Persons
Noise monitoring
Noise control
Noise emission and labelling
Audiometric screening
Monitoring Facilities
& Practice Standards
Raising Awareness, Building Capabilities…
Promotional Activities
Reaching out to industry
Collaborative projects on
Hearing Conservation
Sharing Best Practices
Learning from Success Stories…
Global Web Portal
Meeting the Challenge
Multi-pronged Approach
Proactive Strategy
Leveraging Partnerships
Focussed Efforts