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OSHA: Noise regulations & solutions

In its Hearing Conservation handbook, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) calls noise "one of the most pervasive occupational health problems."

The issue is one that, while many times overlooked, is far too serious to ignore.

Occupational noise exposure has been linked to long-term hearing loss¹, high blood pressure² and even complications with pregnancy³.

It is for these reasons that OSHA treats noise in the workplace very seriously.

Current OSHA regulations regarding occupational noise exposure were put into place in the early 1970s and revised in the 1980s.

One thing these regulations require is for employers to monitor noise exposure levels in a way that accurately identifies employees exposed to noise at or above 85 decibels averaged over 8 working hours, or an eight-hour time-weighted average (TWA).

Employers must also test their employees' hearing. Audiometric testing, which will monitor employees' hearing over time, must be made available at no cost to all employees who are exposed to 85 decibels or above, measured as an eight-hour TWA.

If individual tests show hearing loss over time, employers must make adjustments to the employee's hearing protection.

Additionally, The OSHA Conservation Handbook indicates

"Employers must keep noise exposure measurement records for 2 years and maintain records of audiometric test results for the duration of the affected employee's employment. Audiometric test records must include the employee's name and job classification, date, examiner's name, date of the last acoustic or exhaustive calibration, measurements of the background sound pressure levels in audiometric test rooms, and the employee's most recent noise exposure measurement."

Employees must also be trained, according to the OSHA Web site, "at least annually in the effects of noise; the purpose, advantages, and disadvantages of various types of hearing protectors; the selection, fit, and care of protectors; and the purpose and procedures of audiometric testing." 

See http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3074.pdf to see more details.

The table below shows the hours per day that employees are permitted to work under certain decibel levels.  As decibel levels rise and fall, so do the hours per day employees are permitted to work under those conditions. 

If the work environment is below 85 decibels, none of the testing, monitoring or documentation mentioned above is necessary.

The OSHA Web site states:

"When employees are subjected to sound exceeding those listed in the [table], feasible administrative or engineering controls shall be utilized. If such controls fail to reduce sound levels within the levels of [the table], personal protective equipment shall be provided and used to reduce sound levels within the levels of the table."

So, if the appropriate acoustical products are installed and used correctly, one can see that two very important advantages emerge. 

• The employer will save time and money - if decibel levels are reduced enough (to 85 decibels or below), annual testing and monitoring will no longer be required
• As decibel levels decrease, employees' available per diem hours increase - every small, incremental change in decibel level creates valuable work hours

 

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What Facility Managers Can do to Reduce Decibel Levels

Effectively reducing decibel levels often depends on particular occupational settings and sources of noise.  From construction sites to manufacturing facilities, and bulldozers to industrial generators, every situation has its particular solution.

Stationary Noise

In dealing with stationary noise sources such as chillers, HVAC systems, generators or granulators, the best option is to enclose the sound source and absorb or block the noise before it has time to spread anywhere beyond a few feet. 

Sound enclosures are generally available in metal, acoustical blanket and wall formats. 

Metal sound enclosures are the most effective and most durable of the three.  They are highly customizable with a long list of options such as various wall thicknesses, access doors, windows, silenced ventilation systems and more.  Metal sound enclosures are generally used in outdoor situations around large chillers or generators, they can reduce noise levels by up to 40 decibels.

Acoustical blanket sound enclosures are also highly customizable and can be found in interior-grade, exterior-grade and even silicone faced for high temperatures.  What they offer that metal enclosures don't is the ability to form tightly around almost any abstract or small shape as well as into almost any small space. 

These enclosures reduce decibels anywhere from five to 10 decibels without a roof and 10 to 20 decibels with a roof.

Wall system enclosures, which are used in outdoor situations, are perhaps the most aesthetically pleasing enclosures.  With a number of different wall types to choose from, performance and look can be tailored to fit many different kinds of projects. 

Wall system enclosures typically reduce noise anywhere from five to 25 decibels.

In dealing with noisemakers such as ductwork, air hoses and HVAC systems, facility managers should consider products that are made specifically for air handling devices.  

Available products include pipe and duct lag, pipe and duct wrap, return silencers, acoustical ducts and duct liners.  All of which have an average reduction rate of anywhere from 20-30 decibels.

Moving or Multiple Noise Sources

In environments such as construction sites where there are multiple noise sources and/or moving noise sources, enclosures might not be the best choice.  There are two main options in these situations.

• The first is to incorporate the wall systems or sound blankets on larger scales.  Instead of constructing a sound barrier directly around a single sound source, walls or blankets can enclose an entire site or area of activity.
• Another choice in these situations, particularly in manufacturing and industrial settings, is to use wall and/or ceiling treatment.  Countless combinations of acoustical wall panels and ceiling baffles are available in almost every conceivable size, shape and color.  In large rooms full of loud machinery, these products can reduce noise anywhere from three to five decibels.

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OSHA Assistance and Service Programs

eTools - Electronic compliance assistance tools "that ‘walk' users through the steps required to develop a comprehensive safety and health program." posted at www.OSHA.gov

Consultation Assistance - according to an OSHA handbook, "Consultation assistance is available on request to employers who want help establishing and maintaining a safe and healthful workplace. Funded largely by OSHA, the service is provided at no cost to small employers and is delivered by state authorities through professional safety and health consultants."

OSHA Training - The OSHA Training Institute in Arlington Heights, IL, provides basic and advanced training and education in safety and health for federal and state compliance officers, state consultants, other federal agency personnel, and private sector employers, employees, and their representatives.

OSHA Training Grant Program - OSHA awards grants to nonprofit organizations to provide safety and health training and education to employers and workers in the workplace. Grants often focus on high-risk activities or hazards or may help nonprofit organizations in training, education, and outreach.

OSHA has much more information and many more programs on its website, www.OSHA.gov.

 

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1. Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 2002; 59:634-639 doi:10.1136/oem.59.9.634

2. Occupational and Environmental Health. 1992; 63:369-374
3. American Journal of Industrial Medicine. 2007; 10:427-435