Noise
Reducing Noise Hazards
Noise controls are the first line of defense against excessive noise exposure.
The use of these controls should aim to reduce the hazardous exposure to the point where the risk to hearing is eliminated or minimized. With the reduction of even a few decibels, the hazard to hearing is reduced, communication is improved, and noise-related annoyance is reduced. There are several ways to control and reduce worker exposure to noise in a workplace.
Engineering Controls: Engineering controls involve modifying or replacing equipment, or making related physical changes at the noise source or along the transmission path to reduce the noise level at the worker's ear.
Examples of inexpensive, effective engineering controls include some of the following:
- Choose low-noise tools and machinery.
- Maintain and lubricate machinery and equipment.
- Place a barrier between the noise source and employee.
- Enclose or isolate the noise source.
Administrative Controls: These are changes in the workplace that reduce or eliminate worker exposure to noise. Examples include:
- Operating noisy machines during shifts when fewer people are exposed.
- Limiting the amount of time a person spends at a noise source.
- Providing quiet areas where workers can gain relief from hazardous noise sources.
- Restricting worker presence to a suitable distance away from noisy equipment.
Hearing protection devices (HPDs): Hearing personal protection equipment (PPE) such as earmuffs and plugs, are considered an acceptable but less desirable option to control exposures to noise. HPDs are generally used during the time necessary to implement engineering or administrative controls, when such controls are not feasible, or when worker's hearing tests indicate significant hearing damage.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
2-7. Which of the following is an example of an engineering control to reduce the noise level of a machine?
You forgot to answer the question!