Occupational Health Program for Noise Reduction in Metalworking Industry Noise - Research Proposal Example

Noise reduction program in Metalworking Industry Name Institution Occupational health program for Noise Reduction in Metalworking Industry Noise and its risks to health in the workplace Introduction Normal hearing range of a person between 14 and 45 years of age is from roughly 20 Hz (Hertz) to 20, 000 Hz. The ears are quite sensitive to the middle frequencies ranging from 500 Hz to 5000Hz-these are speech frequencies (Graham and Virginia, 1981 pg. 443). Very loud sounds exceeding 20,000 Hz is considered noise and has health risks especially when exposed to it frequently. Exposure to loud noise therefore is an important and serious concern for the workers in metallic industries. Industry machines and practices are composed of different noises sources like rotors, gears, vibrating panels, impact processes, internal combustion, cutting machines and accidental fall of metals. Noise is therefore a common occupational hazard in many workplaces. This paper focuses on the noise as an occupational hazard in metalworking industries. A report from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-USA 1981 showed that more than 8 million Americans were daily exposed to sound above 85 dB which is considered hazardous to employees’ health. How is noise an issue Noise-induced leads to lose of hearing A general agreement is that sound less than 85 decibel is innocuous even when frequently exposed to. However, noise above 90 decibel is hazardous and is most likely to lead to lose of hearing ability of a worker especially when one is exposed to a sufficient long duration (Graham and Virginia, 1981 pg. 459). It is very important to monitor exposure duration to noise above 80 decibel in order to effectively assess noise-induced loss. Even noise with more than 100 decibels can be harmless when exposure to it is low (NOHSC, 2009). This risk is assessed by use of time-intensity trade off where noise level is dependent variable and exposure duration is an independent variable. Hypothetically, noise-induced hearing loss is normally over 20 years period (Stellman, 1998). Psychological effects Research shows that exposure to noise of high frequency for a long time would lead to release of catecholamines by the cardiovascular system which increases blood pressure. The release of catecholamines in blood is associated with high level of stress induced by noise (Fishbein1980). This is assessed by measuring the frequency and intensity of noise in the workplace over a period of time. It is noted that the psychological effects of noise may be realised within a period of ten years. Work-related illness Exposure to loud noise for a long time may cause communication interference where conversation may be difficult to be conceptualized by the two parties. Workers that have developed such kind of a condition may likely have troubles in using telephone in a conversation. Tinnitus also normally leads to disturb sleep and it is difficult to control such conditions. The intensity verses exposure is also used to assess the risk associated with noise in causing work related conditions. According to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2001), a reduction of exposure by 3 decibel is like halving the intensity of noise exposure. Increased risks of accidents High noises in the workplace make it difficult for workers to hear one another and therefore it interfere communication in the workplace. This increase the probability of accidents occurrence thus compounding work related actions. Effects on job performance High levels of noise affect job performance under certain situations. Noise levels as high as 140 decibel may not necessarily affect tasks, however, it affects effects especially those that involve simultaneous performance. For instance a worker failing to wear ear mask and then go for a meeting just a few minutes later. Legal requirements and ethical considerations Occupational Health and Safety Welfare Regulations 1995 provided the following legal standards to be followed; A worker should not exceed eight hours exposed to sound pressure level of above 85 decibel. Unless the level of exposure within eight hours may not cause a weighted sound energy that would affect workers’ health. The sound pressure level should not exceed 140 decibel at any given time in the workplace. The sound level meter should guide the level of sound to reduce the rate of damage especially when exposed over a long time. Ethical considerations An organization can manger the damage caused by noise by; Promoting administrative noise control actions like training and education of workers, job rotation and redesigning rosters. Provision and ensuring that earmuffs and earplugs are used by workers at their work stations. Organization should engage in noise treatment at the source as well as during transition by use of silencers or noise barriers. Also, the organization should consider the views of workers on noise reduction strategies they are suggesting. The need for change The company’s policies related to noise reduction programs are there but they are not carefully planned and executed in order to benefit both the employer and employee. The company has reported an increasing number of hearing problems which shows that there are some certain policy areas that needs to be addressed in a different and efficient way. The company have limited corporate culture where employees lack empowerment to protecting their own health as well as those of the co-workers, initial program policies are not based on effective practices and lack of compliance with government regulations, hearing loss prevention initiative should be part of the whole safety and health program and the employee as well as the administration of the company should put hearing loss prevention policies to be part of the conditions during employment. All these initiatives need to be integrated to the overall strategy of the company and therefore the need for change is very important. Current Noise reduction measures The current hierarchy of noise control is composed of three schemes; 1. Eliminating of noise at the source: This may not apply to all sources of noise especially mass collapse and cutting machines. Workers exposed at this point remain vulnerable to risks associated with poor prevention of noise. 2. Substitution: Blocking transmission path for example fitting ceilings and mounting the floor still looked to be inefficient way in comprehensively covering risks associated with noise in metalworking industry. However, this has helped in minimizing communication interference to some level. 3. Personal hearing protection: This is the last resort used in the hearing prevention system by ensuring that workers are given earmuffs and earplugs in very noisy places of work. Administrative measures on wearing protective kits have been compromised as shown by minimal evaluation on how workers use these protective kits. Occupational health program addressing noise in metalworking industry Occupation of workers exposed to Noise A great number of ‘blue-collar’ workers are significantly exposed to noise as well as those working in plants. The Third European survey 2000 shows that 20% of workers working in metal industries have significant effects associated with noise. Mechanic operators in the metal industry are having the greatest exposure followed by those working at punching, riveting and sawing of metals (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2001). The following table summarizes the details of workplace the program is targeting. Type of work Number of workers Gender Age frequency of exposure Pressing 8 M=8 between18 and 30=5; Above 31=2 Daily for 5 days a week Sawing of Metals 5 M=5 Between 18 and 30=3; above 31=2 Daily for 5 days a week Hammering steel 12 M=12 Between 18 and 30=7; above 31=5 Daily for 5 days a week Pedestal grinder 9 M=6, F=3 between 18and 30=4; above 31=5 Daily for 6 days a week Mechanical workshop 9 M=6, F=3 between 18 and 30=3; above 31=6 Daily for 6 days a week Punching 6 M=4, F=2 Above 25= 6 Daily for 5 days a week Reverting 4 M=3, F=1 Above 25=4 Daily for 5 days a week Details of Noise control program Step 1: Identification of areas in workplace and machines which produces noise hazard potential. This step will involve risk assessment using Risk assessment form. Step 2: It involves monitoring of noise levels in the work places identified and maintaining records for workers. Step 3: Implementation of the control measures in feasible areas within the workplaces identified. Step 4: Annual test in detection of the early signs of hearing problems with workers in different work units. Step 5: Organizing for training and education of workers especially on the importance in the usage of hearing protectors in the workplace. Step 6: provision and ensuring regular usage of hearing protectors by workers when on duty. Desired outcomes and Goals of the program The program comprehensively assesses the available assets (resources), required resources and the expected outcomes of the invested resources. Outcome 1 The program is expected to address hazard assessment during the audit: The audit process will determine the appropriate interventions in noise reduction. This process of audit will notify employees on the critical risk associated with noise in their respective working units. The program will ensure that the results of the assessment are included in the health records of employees plus those who are affected by the hazard. Outcome 2 Reengineering of administrative control: The program targets noise control intervention as a priority in the metalworking industry. The long run outcome on this is over time will be reduced, job rotation fully initiated and removal of noise sources if possible. The platform of this hazard may not be that feasible, however, this will drive resolving of the problem one time after the other. Outcome 3 The program will ensure that there is regular testing of workers: The audit process at the course of the program is expected to regularly test and evaluate hearing conditions of employees. Using this scheme, clear referral policies will be formulated, timely procuring of consulting audiologist and hearing physicians and clear guideline of offering guideline. From the risk assessment tool, the program is expected to identify the level of risks using the length of exposure and the intensity of noise exposed to a worker. This will ease the hearing intervention process with the physicians and thus providing a spectrum noise-related hearing loss. Outcome 4 The program will ensure that all employees working in the 7 identified units are always using hearing protectors while on duty. Seemingly, this may look simple but most of the workers are ignoring the use of these protectors. This is the major aspect in the noise prevention program-ensuring that workers adhere to the requirement of the job they are doing. The program expects a great power from administrative control where provision of recommended types of hearing protectors and training on the usage of these protectors will be initialized. Also, the audit will reflect the need of replacement of hearing protectors. Those employees who fail to use hearing protectors when it is required then should have self-provided protection. Program goals 1. Ensuring that the administration through occupational health supervisors fully support noise reduction program and energetically contribute to the development of safety climate that will encourage employees to occupy any work type of his/her choice. 2. To educate and motivate workers on the importance of hearing protection practices which is an integral part of their occupation, 3. Ensure simplified and continuity of the available hearing safety programs by integrating appropriate resources in the operating procedures 4. To establish quality assurance practices where all information used during audit and noise reduction intervention program is accurate and updated in order to formulate effective policies to protect hearing loss in metalworking industry. Developing and implementing noise reduction program The activities of noise reduction program are categorized into three. They include; a) Activities involved in the development of hearing conservation program policy This policy should show the commitment of both the employee and employer to the program of hearing conservation. This will be based on the effective practices rather than compliance with the existing policies outside the workstation (government legislations). The policy will be endorsed by the top management and guide the following activities; Monitoring noise exposure levels of workers in every work unit and associated risks. This also include workers are efficiently trained to handle equipment appropriately. Counselling the affected workers especially those from audiometric examination, Purchasing the recommended hearing protectors and noise measuring equipment, and Regular reviewing of audiometric information to avoid a lot of damage. b) Establishing team to run Noise reduction Program The team will help in the implementation of the program in consultation with the workers. The program recommends the following composition of the team; Health and safety officer, Noise monitoring officer, Noise control officer, Industrial nurse, Workers’ representatives, Workplace physician c) Establishment of roles and responsibilities Management roles and responsibilities The company has 53 workers exposed to noise in different work units. Noise control officer should be appointed in order to advice the management on the correct noise control measures. The advisers should be highly trained in order to run the program with the expected standards. The program suggests that the noise control plan should be reviewed each after three years and may be job rotation to workers is conducted. Appointing of a competent Noise Control Officer The officer will carry out the following activities; Noise source identification, Evaluation of noise source for control measures and initiating practical ways of reducing noise. Developing a comprehensive noise control plan as well as recommending appropriate engineering plans to reduce noise at the source and during transmission. Regular review and revising of noise control plan. The officer should be conducting sound survey and closely working with the management to address problems obtained from survey results, communication emerging hazardous noise areas, identifying workers needed to be included in the hearing loss prevention program and evaluate the appropriate machinery noise control process. Monitoring and evaluation of Noise Reduction Program The program will be monitored using four guidelines; 1. Management responsibilities The management should be responsible for the above established activities in order to successfully integrate the program into the organization’s overall strategy. Internal auditing done by the established team will check on whether the established roles of the program are carried on to achieve the set goal. 2. Program Implementor Responsibilities The program is expected to be conducted though the established responsibilities. Since the implementor is working closely with the management in ensuring that the program fits the strategy, results of noise exposure are always updated. 3. Occupational Health and Safety Requirements The program targets all workers exposed to noise exceeding 85 decibels. Therefore, every worker exposed to this noise should have hearing protectors. Also, they should be trained on occupational health and safety procedures in work place according to the requirement by OSHA. Program evaluation Three approaches will be used in evaluating the effectiveness of Noise reduction Program i) Assessment of the completeness and quality of the resources invested A checklist is created to assess if the resources invested produced the outcome expected. ii) Analysis of workers’ audiometric data Audiometric examination shows results of those workers exposed and the intervention strategies created for noise reduction in their work units. Results of ever individual worker show the efficiency and effectiveness of the program. iii) Gathering workers’ feedback and suggestions Workers are key participants in the noise reduction program and they will be encouraged to provide feedback and suggestions on the merits of the program. In order to provide and effective participation of workers, the management and implementor need to be receptive to the feedback and respond actively to the need of the employees. Tools for evaluations Checklists Audiometric tests, Survey forms, OSHA Guideline handbook, Reference Dangerous Decibels. How loud is too loud? 9. www.dangerousdecibels.org/virtualexhibit/3howloudistooloud.html (accessed March 2, 2009). European Agency of Safety and Health at work (2005) Reducing the Risks from occupational noise, European week of safety and healthy at work. Luxembourg: European Communities. Pp. 32-58. Fishbein, M. (1980) Understanding Attitudes and Predicting Behaviour. London: Prentice Hall. Pp. 76-84. Franks, R. J., Stephenson, M. R. and Merry, C. (1996) Preventing Occupational Hearing Loss, A Practical Guide. New York: United States Department of Health and Human Services. pp. 217-240. Graham, W. and Virginia, H. (1981) Handbook For industrial Noise Control. Washington D.C: Bionetics Corporation Hampton. Jeyaratnam, J. (1994) Occupational health in national development. Singapore: World Scientific. National Code of Practice for Noise Management and Protection of Hearing at Work [NOHSC: 2009(2004), Noise in the Workplace: What you should know. Government of South Australia. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). 2001. General Estimates of Work-Related Noises. Cincinnati, OH: 8. Stellman, J. M. (1998) Encyclopaedia of occupational health and safety. Volume 4(4. ed.). Geneve: International Labour Office/ ILO/ International Labour Organisation. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2001-104. www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2001-104/(accessed March 2, 2009) Read More