GLE Associates, Inc.
Facebook
LinkedIn
888.453.4531
  • About
    • Locations
  • Services
  • Projects
  • Federal
  • Careers
  • Our Blog
  • Contact us
Previous post How to Know When Water Damage Is Covered By Insurance Next post What Last Year’s Hurricane Season Teaches Us About This Year’s
profile of man show air waves around ear for hearing loss

How to Protect Your Workers from Hearing Loss

Michael Collins, PhD, CIH, CSPMay 17, 2018 Michael Collins, PhD, CIH, CSP

Twenty-two million workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise at work each year. Every year, an estimated $242 million is spent on workers’ compensation for hearing loss. On top of that, businesses in the U.S. annually pay more than $1.5 million in penalties for not protecting their workers from noise.

These financial losses represent an enormous human cost, and all of it is preventable with proper noise protection. Here’s what you need to know to ensure your workers are safe.

What Is “Noise” and How Loud is Too Loud?

Noise in the workplace is regulated by OSHA, which defines it as “unwanted sound.” Elevated noise levels can harm workers’ hearing when they occur at high levels and/or continue for a long time.

OSHA sets personal exposure limits (PELs) on noise exposure in the workplace based on a worker’s time-weighted average over an 8 hour day. The permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 90 dBA for all workers for an 8 hour day; and the Action Level (AL) is 85 dBA for an 8 hour day. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that noise exposure be controlled below a level equivalent of 85 dBA for eight hours, to minimize occupational noise-induced hearing loss.

How Do You Assess Noise Levels?

If you have any concerns about noise levels in your facility, it’s best to hire a professional firm to do an assessment. They’ll conduct two types of noise monitoring to evaluate your level of compliance:

  • Area assessment
  • Personal assessment

First, they’ll walk through your work areas with a handheld device called a sound pressure level meter (SPL meter) that measures noise levels in the different parts of your facility, and identify elevated noise sources.

Based on the area assessment, your assessors may then recommend personal noise monitoring assessments for any potentially problematic areas. This usually involves equipping about 10-15% of the workers in that area with personal noise dosimeters equipped with microphones placed near the ear. The dosimeters log noise data over the course of the workday. That data can then be compared against OSHA standards.

Typically, the noise assessment will result in one of three recommendations:

  1. If it’s determined that no workers are exposed to noise levels above the OSHA Action Level, then you need take no further action; unless there is a change in production, process, equipment, or controls that increases noise exposures.
  2. If any workers are determined to be exposed above the OSHA Action Level (85 dBA), but below the Permissible Exposure Limit (90 dBA), then a Hearing Conservation Plan will need to be developed.
  3. If any workers are determined to be exposed above the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (90 dBA), then a Hearing Conservation Plan will need to be developed and additional monitoring requirements and personal protection requirements will be required.

It’s a good idea to conduct a noise assessment any time something significant changes in the work environment, such as the addition of new equipment or the removal of sound barriers. Many employers find it useful to conduct an annual assessment to address any new situations that may arise during the year.

How to Mitigate Unacceptable Noise Levels

If it’s determined that some or all of your workers are exposed to elevated noise levels, you’ll want to consider a mitigation plan. When possible, focus on reducing or eliminating the source of noise, and/or changing the location of work areas to eliminate exposure. When that is not possible, you may need to issue hearing protection to workers, and train and reinforce their use.

If you think your workers might be exposed to unacceptable noise levels, it’s important to act quickly, before workers are harmed or complaints are brought. We’d love to be your assessment partner. We bring 30 years of experience, and our certified industrial hygienists are waiting to serve you. Contact us today.

Previous post How to Know When Water Damage Is Covered By Insurance Next post What Last Year’s Hurricane Season Teaches Us About This Year’s

Related Articles

Three Things Property Managers Need to Know about Lead-Based Paint

April 28, 2016Robert B. Greene, PE, PG, CIH, LEED AP Robert B. Greene, PE, PG, CIH, LEED AP
RRP Rule

3 Hidden Dangers of Asbestos After a Catastrophe

October 4, 2016Michael Collins, PhD, CIH, CSP Michael Collins, PhD, CIH, CSP
National Asbestos Awareness Week

The Hidden Danger Lurking in Confined Spaces

April 6, 2017Michael Collins, PhD, CIH, CSP Michael Collins, PhD, CIH, CSP
hidden danger, confined spaces
Michael Collins, PhD, CIH, CSP Principal Certified Industrial Hygienist As a Principal Certified Industrial Hygienist for GLE, Michael Collins has over 27 years of experience in planning and managing complex industrial hygiene and environmental projects and investigations. He has extensive experience in OSHA-related projects such as exposure assessments, ergonomic evaluations, ventilation assessments, and noise surveys. In addition to his role at GLE, Mr. Collins serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of North Alabama in the Chemistry and Industrial Hygiene Department. Contact

Blog Subscription

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Categories

  • Building Forensics
  • Catastrophe Response
  • Civil Engineering
  • Construction Consulting
  • Indoor Environmental
  • Industrial Hygiene
  • MEP Engineering
  • Outdoor Environmental
  • Property Condition Assessment
  • Who We Serve

Search

How to Protect Your Workers from Hearing Loss

Services

  • Indoor Environmental
  • Outdoor Environmental
  • Industrial Hygiene
  • Construction Consulting
  • Building Forensics
  • Property Condition Assessment
  • Catastrophe & Insurance Services

Site Links

  • Home
  • Our Blog
  • About
  • Career Opportunities
  • Contact us
  • Locations

Learn More

Subscribe To The GLE Blog

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
© 2022 GLE Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. AR 0007729; PE RY5483; Asbestos ZA 0000034; PG 1737
Design & Developed by TranquilBlue

Subscribe To The GLE Blog

Blog Signup

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.