In this post you'll learn
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 22 million workers are exposed to potentially harmful levels of noise each year. Lack of preventative measures or long exposure times may lead to potentially irreversible ear damage, causing temporary or permanent hearing loss. Even though being one of the most encountered workplace threats, hearing hazards are easily preventable through a thorough understanding of the risks, correct quantification, informative training, and applicable precautions.
Understanding Noise and How It Is Quantified:
In simple terms, sound is a pressure wave generated by a vibrating object. These vibrations convert particles into the surrounding medium. Undesirable or harmful levels of sound are called noise. To set up a safe work environment, noise levels must be accurately quantified and analyzed.
Sound intensity is measured by decibels (dB). The decibel scale differs from other commonly used units of measurement due to its logarithmic nature. In comparison, the inches, the unit of length, is a linear scale. This means 20 inches would be twice as long as 10 inches; since the decibel scale is logarithmic, every 10 dB increase on the scale is equivalent to a 10 times increase. Therefore, 20 dB is not twice as intense as 10 dB, but rather 10 times more powerful. While the dB scale refers purely to sound intensity, A-weighed decibels (dBA) is a similar scale that refers to both intensity and the human ear`s response. Therefore, the dBA scale provides a better understanding when it comes to hearing hazards.
Decibel meters are used to measure sound intensity, and they are by far the most accurate tool to utilize when it comes to assessing loudness accurately. Other tools are available such as The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health`s (NIOSH) mobile app. If none are available, the comparative list presented down below can be utilized to provide an estimation of the surrounding sound intensity.
Exposure Limits:
As stated during the introduction, prolonged noise exposure can yield serious ramifications; therefore, it must be limited as much as possible. Occupational Safety and Health Administration`s (OHSA) permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 90 dBA for a duration of 8 hours. OHSA uses a 5 dBA exchange rate, meaning a 5 dBA increase in noise levels must be compensated by a reduction in exposure time by half to prevent ear damage. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends an 85 dBA limit on an 8-hour shift and a 3 dBA exchange rate to reduce health hazards.
Health Hazards:
Loud noise exposure causes damage to the nerve endings located inside the inner ear. Accordingly, the inner ear is responsible for converting mechanical vibrations into neural impulses. Damaged nerve endings are incapable of processing mechanical vibrations, which means less output of impulses for the brain to interpret resulting to hear loss.
Although moderate ear damage can be reversed by surgery or other procedures, extreme cases caused by longer exposure times and higher dBA levels can cause irreversible damage which can lead to permanent and complete hearing loss.
Furthermore, the vestibular system located inside the inner ear is essential to sense balance. Rare cases of severe damage to the inner ear due to high levels of noise have been reported; therefore, hearing loss is not the only medical hazard to be caused by high noise exposure.
Symptoms:
Although it is possible, noise resulting in hearing loss does not happen instantly: it takes repeated and prolonged exposure to high noise levels. Dangerous levels of exposure are followed by cautionary symptoms which, when ignored, can cause permanent deterioration of the hearing structure. The mentioned symptoms may include:
- Inability to hear certain frequencies, especially high-pitched sounds
- Feeling pressure inside the ear
- Hearing ringing, echoing, or vibrations
- Suppressed or muted hearing
- Pain or discomfort
If any of the symptoms stated are experienced, distance must be established from the source. If possible, the source must be disabled completely, and a medical expert must be consulted as soon as possible.
Preventative Measures:
Even though the symptoms and consequences are intimidating, hearing hazards can be easily prevented. The best preventative measure for all workplace hazards is to be well informed. Guidelines, legal obligations, and recommendations of associated organizations such as OHSA and NIOSH must be constantly followed and studied. Being equipped with accurate and up-to-date information is the leading way to ensure a safe working environment.
OHSA`s guidelines for noise exposure controls fall under two categories: engineering controls and administrative controls. Engineering controls focus on minimizing the impacts of noise by reworking or replacing equipment and readjusting the environment. Cost-effective, easy to apply, yet effective engineering controls may include prioritizing the use of more silent tools and machinery, utilizing a sound barrier between the source and the workers, and applying a well-organized maintenance plan to prevent the generation of extra noise due to malfunctions. On the other hand, administrative controls focus on optimizing the workspace with the goal of eliminating exposure. Efficient exercises of administrative controls can be exemplified by scheduling noise-generating machinery operations during shifts with fewer workers involved and establishing noise-free rest areas.
Another important topic to mention is the use of correct safety equipment. Noise-canceling ear protectors must be always worn while working in noisy environments no matter how short the exposure time may be. Depending on the noise level, hearing damage might occur even in short periods of time.
Conclusion:
As one of the most encountered workplace threats, hearing hazards are easily disregarded, and their dire effects are overlooked. However, they can be prevented effortlessly by using the right tools, such as our sparkless grinder with low noise levels. You can find them here.
