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Noise Control in Industry: A Basic Guide

Recognize noise problems, take steps to control it, and develop a hearing conservation program.

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Publication: Noise Control in Industry: A Basic Guide: Table of Contents

Section I Why do we worry about noise

  1. Health effects: Auditory effects
  2. Health Effects: Non-Auditory Effects
    • Physiological Effects
    • Performance Effects
  3. Effect on Pregnancy

Section II Basics of Noise

  1. What is noise?
  2. How do I know if I have noise problem in my workplace?
  3. Production and Transmission of Noise
  4. Units and Measures of Noise
    • Frequency
    • Sound Pressure
  5. Units and Measures of Workplace Noise
    • A-Weighted Noise Levels
    • Sound Pressure Level and Sound Energy
    • Continuous, Variable, Intermittent and Impulse Noise
  6. Sound Power
    • Relationship Between Sound Pressure Level and Sound Power Level

Section III Measures of Workplace Noise

  1. Workplace Noise Level
  2. Noise Exposure Level of an Employee
  3. Relationship Between Noise Exposure Level and Noise Level Time Weighted Average (TWA) Noise
  4. Exposure Level
    • Comparison: TWA based on 3-dB and 5-dB exchange rates (rules)
  5. Evaluation of Noise Exposure Level

Section IV Instruments and Methods of Measuring Noise

  1. Identifying Noise Problem
  2. Planning Noise Measurement
  3. Selecting Noise Measuring Instruments
    • Sound Level Meter
    • Integrating Sound Level Meter
    • Noise Dosimeter
    • Octave Band Analyzers
  4. Effects of Environmental Conditions on Noise Data
    • Correction for Background Noise
  5. Conducting Noise Measurements
    • Noise Survey
    • Measuring Equivalent Noise Using An Integrating Sound Level Meter
    • Noise Dosimetry
    • Measuring Impulse/Impact Noise
  6. Documenting Noise Levels Data

Section V Evaluating the Risk of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

  1. Types of Hearing Loss
    • Permanent Hearing Loss
    • Hearing Loss Due to Aging
    • Other Causes of Hearing Loss
  2. Measures of Hearing Loss
    • Hearing Disability
  3. Relationship Between Noise Exposure And Hearing Loss

Section VI Occupational Noise Exposure Limits

  1. Noise Exposure Limits
    • Exposure Limits for Impulse/Impact Noise
    • Noise Exposure Limits for Extended Workshifts
    • Deciding Exposure Limits for Extended Workshifts
  2. Canadian and U.S. Noise Regulations
  3. Synergistic Effects: Ototoxic Chemicals
  4. Office Noise Levels

Section VII Managing Workplace Noise Problems

  1. Hearing Conservation Program Components
  2. Noise Monitoring: Hazard Identification
  3. Noise Reduction: Engineering Controls
    • At the Source
    • Along the Path
  4. Hearing Protection
    • Advantages and Limitations of Earplugs and Earmuffs
    • Standards
  5. Hearing Measurement
  6. Administrative Controls
  7. Employee Training
  8. Program Evaluation and Continuous Improvement

Section VIII Occupational Health and Safety Legislation

  1. Canadian Legislation
  2. What Does the OH & S Legislation Say
  3. Workplace Hazardous Material Information System WHMIS)
  4. U.S. Legislation

Section IX Information Sources

  1. In Canada
  2. In the U.S.A..

Appendix A. Sound Pressure Level Calculations

  • Definition of Decibel (dB)
  • Convert Dose to Equivalent Sound Level (Leq)

Appendix B. Relevant Noise Standards

  • Canadian Standards Association
  • American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

Appendix C. Further Reading

Appendix D. Sound Absorbing and Sound Attenuation of Some Building Materials and Furnishings

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Description

Designed and written as a practical workplace training and reference tool. This 136-page pocket guide is filled with clear-language text including safety tips, charts, diagrams, checklists and illustrations.

Objectives

This guide will enable you to:

  • Develop an understanding of recognition methods and control methods for occupational noise exposure;
  • Identify jobs that can potentially pose a risk of harmful noise exposure;
  • Plan workplace noise surveys and personal noise exposure measurements;
  • Understand noise survey data and identify needs for further action; and
  • Develop and implement a hearing conservation program.

Scope

This guide provides basic knowledge and skills for preventing hearing loss due to noise exposure. It presents a step by step approach for dealing with workplace noise problems, namely:

  • Recognize potential noise problems;
  • Measure workplace noise levels and personal noise exposure levels (noise dose);
  • Evaluate the risk of hearing loss;
  • Develop and implement noise controls; and
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of controls.

This guide is written in plain, non-technical language. Details of mathematical techniques for calculations using decibel and other logarithmic quantities are beyond the scope of this guide. Such information is available from the Inquiries Service of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS). For a detailed technical evaluation of noise exposure and implementation of control measures, a noise specialist should be consulted.

Target Audience

This guide is for workers, their supervisors, health and safety committee members, health and safety representatives, industrial hygienists, occupational health and safety nurses and others with an interest in hearing conservation. The technical level of this guide meets the needs of the target audience.

Each publication produced by CCOHS undergoes several stages of review. As part of this review, representatives from government, employers, and labour are requested to comment on draft copies of CCOHS documents for technical accuracy and readability.

Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy and completeness of the information, it is understood that CCOHS makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of such information and assumes no liability for any damages or loss suffered as a result of any inaccuracy or incompleteness therein.

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The CCOHS Difference

CCOHS publications are unique in that they are developed by subject specialists in the field, and reviewed by representatives from labour, employers and government to ensure the content and approach are unbiased and credible.

Copyright

Although our publications are protected by copyright, permission for non-commercial reproduction may be provided.

Please use our Copyright Authorization Form to request permission, or contact us for more information.

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