Rischio Rumore ENGLISH - slides e-learning.pdf

NOISE RISK
www.seagruppo.it
Transated by: Bruno Giovagnoli

www.seagruppo.it Noise risk
BEFORE STARTING
WHAT IS NOISE?
(...) the term is used for sounds subjectively judged to be non-
musical or that in any case are unpleasant, annoying, bothersome,
or even harmful (they can produce harmful effects in humans, both
acoustic, ranging from various degrees of disturbance to total
hearing loss, and non-acoustic, consisting of headache, nausea,
anorexia, mental disorders) (...)
(source: Treccani dictionary)

LEGISLATIVE DECREE 9 April 2008, n. 81
Chapter II - Protection of workers against the risks of exposure to
noise at work
Article 187. Field of application
1. This chapter determines the minimum requirements for the protection of
workers against the resulting health and safety risks deriving from noise
exposure at work and in particular hearing related risks.

www.seagruppo.it
There may be noise in production activities (e.g. iron or woodworking, on
construction sites, etc.)
…There can be noise in all other types of work activities
Noise risk

•IN ANY CASE…
•Article 192 - Prevention and protection measures
•(…) the employer eliminates risks at source or reduces them to a
minimum using the following measures:
• a) adoption of other working methods that imply less noise exposure;
• b) choice of adequate work equipment, taking into account the work that
needs to be performed, which emits the least possible noise, including the
possibility of making work equipment available to workers that complies with
the requirements set out in Title III, the objective or effect of which is to limit
exposure to noise;
• c) design of the structure of the workplace;

GETTING USED TO THE RISK OF NOISE?

SOUND LEVEL MEASUREMENT: THE DECIBEL
Noise intensity is "measured" with the reference unit DECIBELS (dB)
It is important to take into account that it is a logarithmic value, it cannot be added
arithmetically.

LEVELS
OF SOUND PRESSURE
The adequate noise level is
related to the environment you
are in (e.g. work, home,
playground, etc.)

Article 190 - Risk assessment
(…) the employer evaluates workers’ noise exposure
during working activities, taking into account in particular:
- the levels (in decibels);
- the type (constant, fluctuating, etc.);
- the duration of the exposure(s) (including any exposure
to impulsive noise)

TYPES OF NOISE
Constant when it is more or less the same for the entire
exposure time;

Fluctuating: if it varies significantly, for example in relation to
one or more processing cycles;

Impulsive: when it is formed by a series of impulses in
succession, even non-regular, each one having short duration
but generally of great intensity.

HYPOACUSIS
(occupational illness)
Prolonged exposure to a high sound
level can cause hearing damage
(hypoacusis)
Damaged hearing is
IRREVERSIBLE
damage
DAMAGE TO THE EARDRUM
(injury)
Immediately after the high
intensity acoustic event
(explosion, explosion, etc.) there
is a tearing pain in the ear, a
sense of dizziness, hearing
loss/deafness, dizziness.

EXTRA-AUDITORY EFFECTS OF NOISE
• increased blood pressure,
• heart problems,
• insomnia,
• nervousness,
• feeling of fatigue,
• anxiety,
• stress.
Noise can cause damage to the body
Excessive exposure to high noise levels causes not only hearing loss,
but also other effects such as:

The regulations for protection against noise risk can be mainly divided into:
SAFETY IN THE WORK
ENVIRONMENT
Legislative Decree 81/2008 and
subsequent changes
(workers’ safety and health at work)
ENVIRONMENTAL
REGULATIONS
LAW n. 447/95
(framework law on noise pollution)

LEGISLATIVE DECREE no. 195/2006
(title V-bis of Legislative Decree 626/94)
PERSONAL LEVEL OF DAILY NOISE EXPOSURE
LEX,8h(dBA)
It’s the main parameter with which the
law quantifies our exposure to noise
during the average 8 hour working day

PPEAK(Pa)
Another parameter that determines our daily exposure to noise is
the presence of high peak sound pressure
It is a high "peak" of noise which, even if reached for only a fraction of a
second, can cause hearing damage.
However, the action and limit values of Ppeakindicated by the legislation
are very difficult to achieve

HOW IS NOISE EXPOSURE CALCULATED?
It is necessary to carry out measurements with an instrument called
phonometer

This tool allows, through data provided under the employer’s responsibility, to:
- Calculate noise exposure (lex,8h)
- Check if the legal values are exceeded
- Carry out prevention and protection measures
The measurements must be repeated at least every four years but the assessment
must be updated in the event of significant changes in workers' exposure to noise

LEGISLATIVE DECREE no. 81/2008
EXPOSURE LIMIT VALUES AND ACTION VALUES
LOWER ACTION VALUES: LEX,8h= 80 dB(A) and PPEAKat 135 dB(C)
(actual noise levels measured in the workstation)
HIGHER ACTION VALUES: LEX,8h= 85 dB(A) and PPEAKat 137 dB(C)
(actual noise levels measured in the workstation)
EXPOSURE LIMIT VALUES: LEX,8h= 87 dB(A) and PPEAKat 140 dB(C)
(the limit values take into account the attenuation produced by the hearing
protection worn by the worker)

TYPES OF EXPOSURE TO NOISE
DAILY LEX,8h
WEEKLY LEX,W
“VERY VARIABLE"

DAILY EXPOSURE LEX,8h
(…) Daily noise exposure level (LEX,8h): [dB(A)]: time-weighted average
value of noise exposure levels for a nominal eight-hour working day (…)

WEEKLY EXPOSURE LEX,W
(…) weekly noise exposure (LEX,w): average value, weighted as a
function of time, of daily noise exposure levels for a nominal week of five
eight-hour working days (…)
(Monday and
Tuesday)
CUT
(Wednesday and
Thursday)
ASSEMBLY
(Friday)
DELIVERY

Article 191 - Evaluation of activities at a VERY VARIABLE
exposure level
(…) for activities that involve a high fluctuation in workers' personal
exposure levels, the employer can attribute to these workers exposure to
noise above the upper action values (LEX,8h > 85 dBA), guaranteeing
them the consequent prevention and protection measures and in
particular:
a) the availability of personal hearing protection devices (headphones,
plugs or earbands);
b) information and training;
c) health checks (audiometric visits)

Article 191 - Evaluation of activities at a VERY VARIABLE
exposure level
(…)In this case the measurement associated with the assessment is limited to
determining the level of noise produced by the equipment in the operator stations
for the purposes of identifying the prevention and protection measures and to
formulate the program of technical and organizational measures referred to in
Section 192, paragraph 2 (exceeding the upper action values, >85 dBA).

Article 190 - Risk assessment
(…)
2. If, following the assessment referred to in paragraph 1
(Risk Assessment), it can be reasonably believed that the
lower action values (*) can be exceeded, the employer
measures the noise levels to which workers are exposed,
the results of which are reported in the assessment
document.
(…)
(*) - lower action value = 80 dBA

There are a series of work activities which, under normal working
conditions, do not require instrumental measurements to establish that
the lower action values are not exceeded.
However, a risk assessment and the planning of any possible conditions
for improving the working environment remain mandatory.

EXPOSURE LEVELS
LEVEL
LEX,8hLESS than 80 dB(A)
and PPEAKLESS than 135 dB(C)
The employer carries out the noise risk assessment
It is mandatory to evaluate:
- The type, level and duration of the noise
- The limit values
- Take into account workers who are particularly
sensitive to noise
- The iterations between ototoxic
substances(Styrene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene,
trichlorethylene) AND VIBRATIONS
- The attenuation characteristics of PPE for hearing

LEVEL
LEX,8hABOVE 80 dB(A) e
PPEAKABOVE 135 dB(C)
In addition to the previous provisions (Lex,8h<80) is mandatory:
- Minimization of exposure to noise by favoring interventions at the source
- Adequate information and training for workers
- Supply of PPE for hearing
- Medical visits if requested by the worker or the competent doctor

LEVEL
LEX,8hABOVE 85 dB(A) e
PPEAKABOVE 137 dB(C)
In addition to the previous provisions (Lex,8h between 80 and 85 dba) it is mandatory:
- Program of measures to reduce exposure to noise
- Report areas where the noise is >85 dBA (and/or Ppeak> 137 dbc)
- Ensure the use of PPE for hearing (mandatory use)
- Health surveillance (preventive and periodic audiometric visits)
OBLIGATION TO USE PPE FOR
HEARING
(Leq>85 dBA)
- Development and application of a program of measures to reduce noise exposure

Article 196 - Health surveillance
The employer submits to health surveillance workers whose exposure to noise
exceeds the upper action values (>85 dBA). Surveillance is carried out
periodically, usually once a year or with a different frequency decided by the
competent doctor (...)

Article 196 - Health surveillance
Health surveillance is extended to all workers exposed to levels
above the lower action values (>80 dBA), at their request and if the
competent doctor confirms the opportunity.

NOISE REDUCTION MEASURES
EXAMPLES
TECHNICAL MEASURES
AT THE
SOURCE
ACOUSTIC
ENGENEERING
ENCAPSULATION
HEARING
PROTECTION
COLLECTIVE
PROTECTION
PERSONAL
PROTECTION

EXAMPLES OF NOISE REDUCTION INTERVENTIONS AT THE SOURCE
Silenced blades
Silenced nozzles
for compressed air
Regular maintenance
of plant/machinery

ORGANIZATIONAL MEASURES
- Staff rotation;
- Privilege, when purchasing and using
machinery, the ones that under normal
operating conditions, produces the
lowest noise level;
- Avoid, as far as possible, concurrent
noisy operations;
- Delimit noisy areas to which access
will be permitted only if necessary

PROCEDURAL MEASURES
- Use of machines/systems/tools in
conditions of lower health risk;
- Report work related problems related
to the relevant personnel.

PERSONAL HEARING PROTECTION EQUIPMENT
Article 193 - Use of personal protective equipment
(…) the employer, in cases where the risks deriving from
noise cannot be avoided with the prevention and protection
measures of (…) provides personal hearing protection
devices(…)

a) in the event that noise exposure exceeds the lower values ( > 80 dBA) of action
the employer provides workers with personal hearing protection devices;
b) in the event that exposure to noise is equal to or above the upper action values
( > 85 dBA) demands and supervises that workers use personal hearing
protection devices

Headbands
Headphones
Earplugs

- They must be used correctly
- They must be in good condition and be replaced when necessary
- They are personal, so they can only be used by the owner

HEARING PROTECTION
EUROPEAN STANDARDS
Headphones UNI EN 352.1
Earplugs UNI EN 352.2
Headband UNI EN 352.2

Selection recommendations,UNI EN 458 use and
maintenance.
We recommend using headphones
when the use is intermittent, as
they allow for easy and quick
application without any fingers
coming into contact with the ear
canal (dirt risk).
HEARING PROTECTION
EUROPEAN STANDARDS

Earplugs are recommended for
long periods of wear. These are
inserted into the ear canal, it is
therefore necessary to operate
with clean hands when putting
them on.
maintenance.
HEARING PROTECTION
EUROPEAN STANDARDS

Headbands are recommended for
both long and short periods of
wear. They can be worn without
hands coming into contact with the
ear and they also avoid any
excessive heating problems.
maintenance.
HEARING PROTECTION
EUROPEAN STANDARDS

- They must also be chosen based on the
decibel reduction value (see noise risk
assessment practice)
- They must be used for the entire time of
noise exposure
- The worker must not have (subjective)
medical contraindications

LEGISLATIVE DECREE 9 APRIL 2008, NO. 81
Chapter II - Use of personal protective equipment
Article 74. Definitions
1. Personal protective equipment, referred to as P.P.E., (in
italian DPI – Dispositivo di Protezione Personale) means any
equipment intended to be worn and held by the worker for the
purpose of protecting him against one or more risks likely to
threaten his safety or health during work, as well as any
complement or accessory intended for this purpose.(…)

LEGISLATIVE DECREE 9 April 2008, n. 81
Art. 193. Use of personal protective equipment
(…)
2. The employer takes into account the attenuation produced by
the personal hearing protection devices worn by the worker only for
the purposes of evaluating the efficiency of the hearing PPE and its
compliance with the exposure limit value. Individual means of
hearing protection are considered adequate for the purposes of
these standards if, correctly used, and in any case they must
respect the performances required by the technical
regulations.

The ear protectors(individual hearing protection devices) must be
chosen not only by type, but also based on the decibel reduction
guaranteed by the product (e.g. «SNR» method).

Each personal protective device on the market (whether
earmuffs, caps or headbands) has variable noise reduction
values in relation to different needs (e.g. «SNR» 36 dB or 14
dB and so on).
These values are indicated in the product packaging and/or on
the product itself.

The reduction value of ear
defenders must be sufficient to
protect in relation to the decibels
present in the company but not
too high to avoid excessive
acoustic isolation of the worker
from the surrounding
environment.

www.seagruppo.it
THANK YOU
FOR YOUR ATTENTION
SEA Gruppo Srl
Via Paolo Borsellino, 12/d - 61032 Fano (PU)
Tel. 0721 860053 - Fax 0721 862852
Transated by: Bruno Giovagnoli

Rischio Rumore ENGLISH - slides e-learning.pdf

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Similar to Rischio Rumore ENGLISH - slides e-learning.pdf

Similar to Rischio Rumore ENGLISH - slides e-learning.pdf (20)

More from seagruppo

More from seagruppo (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Rischio Rumore ENGLISH - slides e-learning.pdf