Many people do not know that certain noise level at a work site can eventually lead to hearing problems or deafness to people working in that environment. There have been regulations designed by different states to help reduce the number of cases of workplace deafness. Apart from the regulations, certain tools have been devised to assess the level of discordance at a work place and advocate for reduction measures. One such example is the noise assessment tool.
The first step during this assessment is recognition of the problem. Persons who can do this follow up of identifying the hazard may include but not limited to; the employer, supervisor, health and safety representatives at the work place, workers themselves and any other concerned party. At this stage, no technical expertise maybe needed as what is required t be identified is the discordance sources and exposure conditions.
An evaluator should therefore prepare a worksheet containing questions that will need to be asked during the process. The methods of collecting the information may involve interviews, observation among other ways. To begin the process, the evaluator will need to determine the source of sound at the work place. Sources may include; machines, power tools, photocopier, compressor, conveyor and many other sources.
After determining the source next will be to find persons who are mostly affected with the hazard. Usually, the assessor will have a map of the work area and he should indicate on it the location and persons mostly affected by the sound levels. The other thing that ought to be established is the discordance level and this requires a meter that will take the measurements. If the level is found to be below 75 db, this is normal. But if it is above this mark, it is harmful to persons working there.
After finding out that the sound levels at the workplace are harmful, an evaluator needs to see the measures that the company has taken to minimize this. There are numerous measures that can be taken but most places utilize hearing protection control units. In some situations, these measures do work but in some scenarios they do not.
Since the sound effects cannot be minimized, assessment continues. Correct measurements ought to be taken to correctly establish exposure levels to particular employees. At this level, the equipment used to collect the data is advanced than the latter example the noise dosimeter. Before the person collects data, he or she ought to be properly trained on the use of the instrument and its features to collect and interpret data properly.
The third step that follows after taking all the above measures is calling professional help. The organization therefore sets to look for an external consultant who comes with sophisticated instruments to collect data. It is good that a team be formed at the work place to work together with the consultant to provide additional information that the professional may need and hence make work easier.
When the noise assessment is complete, the consultant prepares a report about his evaluations. The report does contain the different sources of loud sound and measures that should be taken to minimize this. The management is then required to implement the recommendations proposed by the report and still monitor to see if the recommendations worked or not.
The first step during this assessment is recognition of the problem. Persons who can do this follow up of identifying the hazard may include but not limited to; the employer, supervisor, health and safety representatives at the work place, workers themselves and any other concerned party. At this stage, no technical expertise maybe needed as what is required t be identified is the discordance sources and exposure conditions.
An evaluator should therefore prepare a worksheet containing questions that will need to be asked during the process. The methods of collecting the information may involve interviews, observation among other ways. To begin the process, the evaluator will need to determine the source of sound at the work place. Sources may include; machines, power tools, photocopier, compressor, conveyor and many other sources.
After determining the source next will be to find persons who are mostly affected with the hazard. Usually, the assessor will have a map of the work area and he should indicate on it the location and persons mostly affected by the sound levels. The other thing that ought to be established is the discordance level and this requires a meter that will take the measurements. If the level is found to be below 75 db, this is normal. But if it is above this mark, it is harmful to persons working there.
After finding out that the sound levels at the workplace are harmful, an evaluator needs to see the measures that the company has taken to minimize this. There are numerous measures that can be taken but most places utilize hearing protection control units. In some situations, these measures do work but in some scenarios they do not.
Since the sound effects cannot be minimized, assessment continues. Correct measurements ought to be taken to correctly establish exposure levels to particular employees. At this level, the equipment used to collect the data is advanced than the latter example the noise dosimeter. Before the person collects data, he or she ought to be properly trained on the use of the instrument and its features to collect and interpret data properly.
The third step that follows after taking all the above measures is calling professional help. The organization therefore sets to look for an external consultant who comes with sophisticated instruments to collect data. It is good that a team be formed at the work place to work together with the consultant to provide additional information that the professional may need and hence make work easier.
When the noise assessment is complete, the consultant prepares a report about his evaluations. The report does contain the different sources of loud sound and measures that should be taken to minimize this. The management is then required to implement the recommendations proposed by the report and still monitor to see if the recommendations worked or not.
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