Download tzentner osha update q1 2010

Noise Exposure
Todd D. Zentner
WSSC Quarterly Meeting
February 17, 2010
Alliance Announcement
Headlines and Quotes
• Man thought hurt, but slightly dead
• Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors
• Enfields Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide
• “Solutions are not the answer.“ – R.N.
• "Sure there have been injuries and deaths in boxing - but
none of them serious."
Inspection Update
• Total Oil and Gas inspections for Region
VIII in Fiscal Year 2010?
• Four total in Region VIII– Two from the
Denver office
– One citation issued for 1910.132(a)
Noise Exposure
Why it’s Important
• 30 million workers are exposed to hazardous
noise on the job
• 48% of U.S. adults believe they have suffered
some hearing loss
• 39% of adults have had a hearing test in the last
three years
• Impact on life?
Effects on Life
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Tinnitus
Problems with communication
Feelings of isolation
Difficulty concentrating
Stress
Increased blood pressure
Accidents
OSHA Requirements
29 CFR 1910.95
• Requirements:
– Protection against noise exposure
• 1910.95(a)
– Controls (Administrative/Engineering)
• 1910.95(b)(1) and (b)(2)
– Hearing Conservation Program
• 1910.95(c) through (n)
Noise Problem?
• Do you have to speak loudly? – Noise
levels are likely above 80 dBA
• Do you have to shout? – Noise levels
likely between 85 and 90 dBA
• Do you have to move close together to
hear each other at all? – Noise probably
greater than 95 dBA
Conduct a Survey
• Use a sound level meter to identify areas,
operations, or tools where excessive noise
exists
• Estimate length of time in certain areas or during
the use of specific tools
• Additional monitoring may be necessary if the
survey indicates noise levels in excess of 80
dBA
Survey Results
• Noise levels at or above 85 (Action Level) –
Hearing Conservation Program required
• Noise levels exceed 90 (PEL) – Feasible
engineering or administrative controls required
Hearing Conservation Program
• Must be implemented when employee exposures exceed
85 dBA for 8-hr TWA (regardless of PPE use)
– Known as the “Action Level”
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Monitoring
Employee Notification
Observation of Monitoring
Audiometric Testing
Hearing Protectors
Hearing Protector Attenuation
Training Program
Recordkeeping
GUESS WHAT?
Applicability
• What, if any, portions of the 1910.95
(Noise) standard apply to Oil/Gas?
• Is there a requirement for a Hearing
Conservation Program? (for SIC 13XX)
• Only paragraphs (a) and (b)
• What does this mean for you?
29 CFR 1910.95(a)
• Protection against the
effects of noise
exposure: Shall be
provided when sound
levels (A-scale)
exceed those in Table
G-16…
Duration of
Exposure
per day
Sound
Level
8
90
6
92
4
95
3
97
29 CFR 1910.95(b)
• 1910.95(b)(1): When sound levels exceed those
in Table G-16, feasible administrative or
engineering controls shall be utilized. If those
controls fail – PPE shall be provided and used to
reduce sound levels with the levels of the table.
• 1910.95(b)(2): If variations in noise level involve
maxima at intervals of 1 second or less, it is to
be considered continuous.
Hearing Conservation Program
• Must be implemented when employee exposures exceed
85 dBA for 8-hr TWA (regardless of PPE use)
– Known as the “Action Level”
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Monitoring
Employee Notification
Observation of Monitoring
Audiometric Testing
Hearing Protectors
Hearing Protector Attenuation
Training Program
Recordkeeping
Types of Hearing Protection
• Expandable Foam Plugs (how to insert?)
• Pre-molded, reusable plugs
• Canal Caps
• Earmuffs
• Not approved:
– Toilet paper, cigarette butts, fingers
What is NRR?
• Noise Reduction Rating
• Estimated Exposure for single protection:
Subtract 7 from NRR then divide by 2 –
Then subtract from the measured TWA.
• For 100 dBA with NRR of 19: 100 –
(19-7)/2 = 94 dBA
• For double protection use the highest NRR
of the two.
• 100 – ((19-7)/2 + 5) = 89 dBA
Recordkeeping
• As of 2002 OSHA requires work-related
hearing loss to be recorded on the OSHA
300 logs.
Away from Work
• Use hearing protection around the house
– Mowing lawn
– Using hand tools
• Use music devices with ear pieces at a
reasonable level
• Use while doing hobbies (i.e. hunting)
Questions and Comments
Denver AO - 303-844-5285
•Megan Meagher x105
•Todd Zentner x111
Chris Matthewson
Regional Office
720-264-6598
George B. Flynn
Englewood AO
303-843-4500 x132
Disclaimer
•
This information has been developed by an OSHA Compliance Assistance
Specialist and is intended to assist employers, workers, and others as they
strive to improve workplace health and safety. While we attempt to
thoroughly address specific topics, it is not possible to include discussion of
everything necessary to ensure a healthy and safe working environment in
a presentation of this nature. Thus, this information must be understood as
a tool for addressing workplace hazards, rather than an exhaustive
statement of an employer’s legal obligations, which are defined by statute,
regulations, and standards. Likewise, to the extent that this information
references practices or procedures that may enhance health or safety, but
which are not required by a statute, regulation, or standard, it cannot, and
does not, create additional legal obligations. Finally, over time, OSHA may
modify rules and interpretations in light of new technology, information, or
circumstances; to keep apprised of such developments, or to review
information on a wide range of occupational safety and health topics, you
can visit OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov.