1. Warning to Construction Workers:
Noise on Construction Sites a Risk to Your Hearing
Construction sites are a unique work environment in that they are constantly changing. At any
given time there are a number of different trade people doing a variety of different tasks, each
presenting their own hazards. That is why safety is such an important issue on construction
sites.
One of the hazards on a construction site is the one presented by the assortment of machinery
and equipment working together to contribute to the noise on site. This noise presents a hazard
to workers hearing. Many workers are presented with this hazard daily and aren’t even aware
that they’re hearing is in danger. Quite often a prolonged period of exposure to noise will result
in hearing loss or depreciation.
But how do I know if my hearing is really at risk? Or whether the noise on site is just
occasional and won’t be a hazard to my hearing?
Well If you answer yes to any of the following questions your hearing may be at risk:
Do you often have to ask people to repeat things they have just said?
Does your family say you have difficulty hearing them when you are at home?
If you suspect that your workplace has a noise problem, speak to your OHS
representative or your employer about having a noise assessment conducted.
Do you have to raise your voice to communicate to someone only one metre away?
Do you experience ringing in the ears or dull hearing, either after work or after a
particular job?
Do you have to turn up the volume on your car radio or television after a day at work?
In addition, if you work more than an eight hour shift you are at greater risk. According to
research workers who are exposed to noise for shifts longer than 10 hours have an increased
risk compared to an 8 hour shift. According to research 10 hours of exposure is the time taken
to reach the maximum temporary threshold, after which additional negative, damaging effects
may occur. The risk is further increased if the rest time between shifts is reduced.
Responsibilities of Employers
An employer must recognise that their work site presents a noise hazard. According to WH&S
Regulations as an employer you must ensure that safe work practices are implemented and
maintained if your workers are at risk of being exposed to great noise levels. That involves
developing a noise management plan or strategy in cooperation with workers.
A noise management plan includes:
Developing a noise control policy and program to eliminate the noise hazards or reduce
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2. the risks
Develop and implement the appropriate control measures;
And develop a comprehensive hearing protection program, including selection of
personal hearing protectors (example ear muffs). Train and instruct workers in the
correct use and maintenance of the PPE.
An information and training program for all levels of management, workers and
contractors; and audiometric testing for workers likely to be regularly exposedto
excessive noise regardless of whether or not they use PPE or not.
As an Employer How can I Manage the Noise in my Workplace?
Step 1: Once identifying the noise hazard, you should conduct a thorough walk through
inspection of the workplace. This process should aim to determine the sources of the noise, the
workers who are likely to be exposed to the noise, work processes that are noisy and contribute
to the noise, ways of reducing the noise.
Step 2: Identify Methods that can be used to control Noise levels.
Firstly attempt to eliminate the noise source. If it cannot be eliminated, substitute the noise
causing elements, such as noisy machinery with quieter ones.
If this cannot be done, engineering controls can treat the noise at the source or in its
transmission path.
Introducing administrative noise control measures (e.g. training and education, job rotation etc)
is also a control that can be implemented.
The final control measure is implementing hearing protection such as earmuffs.
Experts suggest a combination of more than one control in coordination to achieve the best
results.
Points to Remember:
Hearing protectors are the last control measure and should be used as a last resort when the
higher level control measures are not effective enough to reduce the noise exposure. They may
also be used as an interim measure while engineering controls are being investigated. These
hearing protectors should be stored in a clean and secure storage area.
The main types of hearing protection are:
Earmuffs (these completely cover the ear);
Earplugs (these are inserted in the ear canal);
Ear canal caps or semi-inserts (these cover the entrance TO the ear canal)
Posted by Peter Cutforth
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