How do you assess the noise exposure levels of your workers in different industrial settings?

1 Identify the noise sources

The first step is to identify the sources of noise in your industrial setting. These can include machines, tools, vehicles, processes, or environmental factors. You can use a noise map, a diagram that shows the location and intensity of noise sources, to help you with this task. You can also use a sound level meter, a device that measures the sound pressure level in decibels (dB), to quantify the noise levels at different points.

2 Measure the noise exposure

The next step is to measure the noise exposure of your workers. This is the amount of noise that your workers are exposed to over a period of time, usually a workday or a week. You can use a personal noise dosimeter, a device that records the noise dose of a worker, to do this. A noise dose is the percentage of the allowable noise exposure for a given time period. For example, if the permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 85 dB for 8 hours, a noise dose of 100% means that the worker was exposed to 85 dB for 8 hours.

3 Compare the results with the standards

The third step is to compare the results of your noise measurements with the occupational noise standards and guidelines, which are the maximum noise levels that your workers can be exposed to without risking their hearing health. These standards and guidelines vary across countries and organizations, such as OSHA's PEL of 90 dB for 8 hours and action level of 85 dB for 8 hours, NIOSH's REL of 85 dB for 8 hours and criterion level of 75 dB for 8 hours, and ACGIH's TLV of 85 dB for 8 hours and exchange rate of 3 dB. To convert the noise levels and doses to different time periods and exchange rates, you can use a noise calculator or a table.

4 Evaluate the risk and impact

The fourth step is to evaluate the risk and impact of noise exposure on your workers and your business. To help with this, you can use a risk assessment matrix or a checklist. When considering the various factors, think about the number and severity of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) cases among your workers, the compliance with legal and regulatory requirements for noise control and hearing conservation, the productivity, quality, and safety of your work processes and products, as well as the costs and benefits of implementing noise control and hearing conservation measures. This evaluation will help you inform decisions about how to best protect your workers from noise-related harm.

5 Implement noise control and hearing conservation measures

The fifth step is to implement noise control and hearing conservation measures to reduce the noise exposure levels of your workers and protect their hearing health. The hierarchy of controls, a framework that prioritizes the most effective and feasible solutions, can be used to guide you with this. This includes eliminating or substituting the noise source, engineering modifications to reduce noise emission or transmission, changing work practices, policies, or schedules to limit exposure time or intensity, and providing personal protective equipment such as ear plugs or ear muffs. Additionally, you should provide noise awareness training, hearing tests, and medical follow-up as part of your hearing conservation program.

6 Monitor and review

The sixth and final step is to monitor and review the effectiveness and efficiency of your noise control and hearing conservation measures. You should conduct regular noise measurements, audits, inspections, and evaluations to check if your measures are working as intended and meeting your goals and objectives. You should also solicit feedback from your workers, managers, and stakeholders to identify any issues, challenges, or opportunities for improvement. You should update your noise assessment and action plan accordingly.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?