This document discusses occupational noise hazards. It begins by stating objectives and introducing the topic of occupational noise exposure. Key facts are provided about noise-related hearing loss, including that 10 million Americans and 22 million workers are exposed to hazardous noise annually. Common noise sources at work are identified. The effects of noise on health are outlined. Methods for reducing noise exposure through engineering controls, administrative controls, and hearing protection devices are described. Responsibilities of workers in a hearing conservation program are listed.

1. O C C U P AT I O N A L N O I S E H A Z A R D
B Y : C A N D I C E G R A H A M B S N , R N
O C C U P A T I O N A L H E A L T H S P E C I A L I S T

2. OBJECTIVES
You will …….
• Be able to recall basic facts and statistics about occupational noise
• Be able to state the difference between noise and sound
• Identify noise hazards
• State noise mitigation methods
How to prevent hearing loss !

3. What's the difference ?

4. INTRODUCTION
Occupational Noise Exposure
Noise in the work environment that has
potential to be hazardous.
Why is it a hazard?
Noise-related hearing loss has been one of
the most prevalent occupational health
concerns in the United States for more

5. FA S T FA C T S
• 1 9 8 1 - H E A R I N G C O N S E R V A T I O N P R O G R A M
• T E N M I L L I O N P E O P L E I N T H E U . S . H A V E N O I S E -
R E L A T E D H E A R I N G L O S S
• T W E N T Y - T W O M I L L I O N W O R K E R S A R E E X P O S E D T O
P O T E N T I A L L Y D A M A G I N G N O I S E E A C H Y E A R .
• I N 2 0 0 7 , A P P R O X I M A T E L Y 8 2 % O F T H E C A S E S
I N V O L V I N G O C C U P A T I O N A L H E A R I N G L O S S W E R E
R E P O R T E D A M O N G W O R K E R S I N T H E
M A N U F A C T U R I N G S E C T O R .

6. HOW WE HEAR
• Outer
• Middle
• Inner

7. WHAT IS SOUND
• A sound wave is a
pressure wave;
regions of high
(compressions)
and low pressure
(rarefactions) are
established as the
result of the
vibrations of the
sound source.

8. CHARACTERISTICS OF SOUND
•Amplitude (objective)
•Loudness (subjective)
•Frequency (pitch)
•Intensity (energy transported)

9. DECIBELSDecibel system (sound pressure level)
• O dB -Threshold of hearing
• 20 dB -Very quiet room
• 40 dB -Normally quiet room
• 60 dB -Comfortable conversational
level
• 80 dB -Loud (typical factory
background)
• 100 dB -Very loud
• 120 dB -Extremely loud
• 140 dB -Threshold of pain

10. WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE
•OSHA's permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 90
dBA (8hr)
-Standard uses a 5 dBA exchange rate
•The National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health (NIOSH) worker exposures below a
level equivalent to 85 dBA (8hr)
-NIOSH recommends a 3 dBA exchange rate

11. CLICK TO BEGIN VIDEO
Hearing loss myths & facts . [Video file]. (2015, Feb 24, 2015). Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTFPh-COLFk

12. OCCUPATIONAL NOISE SOURCE
•Compressors
•Woodworking Machines
•Pneumatic Tools
•Electric Motors
•Ventilator and Exhaust Fans

13. E F F E C T S O F N O I S E
• TINNITUS
• HYPERTENSION
• CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS
• SLEEP DISTURBANCE
• ANNOYANCE
• HEARING LOSS

14. HOW TO REDUCE NOISE EXPOSURE
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.
Administrative controls are changes in the workplace
or schedule that reduce or eliminate the worker
exposure to noise.
Hearing protection devices (HPDs)
Effective hearing conservation program strives to prevent,
promote and protect

16. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
•Wear HPDs when exposed to
hazardous noise
•Attend hearing tests and
training as directed
•Abide by the hearing
conservation program
requirements and make others
aware of the need to wear HPDs
in noise hazardous areas

17. ANY QUESTIONS?
Candice Graham BSN,RN
Occupational Health
Specialist
cgrahamadderton@uams.ed

18. REFERENCES
Coulter, B. (Producer). (2010, Oct 28, 2010). Sound Waves. Retrieved from
http://www.slideshare.net/brucecoulter/sound-waves-5597634
Hearing loss myths & facts . [Video file]. (2015, Feb 24, 2015). Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTFPh-COLFk
Hearing. (2016, March 17). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 01:18, March
29, 2016, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hearing&oldid=710529865
Noise. (2016, March 21). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 00:34, March 29,
2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Noise&oldid=711250399
United States Department of Labor. (n.d). Occupational Noise Exposure. Retrieved from
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/noisehearingconservation/index.html
Sehrnd, G., & Gerges, S. (n.d). Noise source . Retrieved from
http://www.who.int/occupational_health/publications/noise5.pdf
Sound. (2016, March 21). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 00:35, March
29, 2016, from