Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Hearing loss wikipedia , lookup
Audiology and hearing health professionals in developed and developing countries wikipedia , lookup
Sensorineural hearing loss wikipedia , lookup
Auditory system wikipedia , lookup
Noise-induced hearing loss wikipedia , lookup
Olivocochlear system wikipedia , lookup
Soundscape ecology wikipedia , lookup
Noise in the workplace WH Kelly Ltd Greg Gillard Injury Prevention Consultant Noise • Reactions and emotions that we associate with: – – – – – Screeching tyres Breaking glass Mr. Whippy Dentist drill Music Noise and Acoustics • Noise-induced Hearing Loss – – – – – – – Causes no pain Causes no visible trauma Leaves no visible scars Is unnoticeable in its earliest stages Accumulates with each over-exposure Takes years to diagnose Is permanent and almost always preventable How We Hear • Nerve cells in the cochlea are tuned to specific frequencies • Base of the cochlea is sensitive to high frequency sounds • Tip of the cochlea is sensitive to low frequency (bass/deep) sounds Exposure 76-year old man 17-year old girl Low noise Low noise exposure • Normal cochlea exposure • Fewer • Receptors intact receptors but still intact 59-year old man High noise exposure • Damaged cochlea • Receptors destroyed Safe Noise Levels Low noise Normal cochlea At safe noise levels, sound waves move along the cochlea without damaging receptor cells Loud Noise Levels Loud noise levels damage the first turn of cochlea High noise Damaged cochlea Loud noise levels damage the first turn of cochlea Noise And Acoustics Noise And Acoustics If you must RAISE YOUR VOICE TO BE UNDERSTOOD over the background noise when standing about 1 metre away from somebody that background noise is hazardous How often do we see this? Noise – – – – – – – – – – – Equipment Power drill Heavy truck Lawnmower Power saw Pneumatic drill Concrete saw Loud stereo Commercial jet Trail bike Chainsaw Powder Powered Tools Decibels Time Limit 88 4 hours 91 2 hours 94 1 hour 97 30 mins 100 15 mins 103 8 mins 106 4 mins 109 2 mins 112 1 mins 115 30 secs 140 hearing damage NOISE AND ACOUSTICS Hazardous noise exposures are cumulative Work Home Controlling Noise • How can you control your exposure to dangerous levels of noise? – Use the control hierarchy – eliminate, isolate, minimise – Remove plant from the immediate work area – Isolate using soundproofing, do the job at time when others are not in the work area – Use new technology that is quieter – As a last resort minimise using PPE – ear muffs and plugs Controlling Noise • Ear Muffs and Ear Plugs – Minimise your exposure to damaging noise levels – Classified 1-5 by the amount of noise reduction they provide – It can be dangerous to have too much or too little protection – Many different types and varieties to suit individuals Controlling Noise • Ear Muffs – – – – Must give you a good seal around the outer ear Must be worn directly over the ear Remove hair from around the muffs Don’t wear over hoodies Fitting Ear Plugs 1. Roll entire earplug into a crease-free cylinder 2. Pull Back 3. Insert earplug well into ear canal and hold until it fully expands pinna by reaching over head with free hand, gently pull top of ear up and out Which ear is protected? 1 2 3 And so the problem grows….. For more info………. ACC website • www.acc.co.nz Department of Labour website • www. http://www.dol.govt.nz