Your first step towards noise-based harm reduction is to establish a set of noise-reducing engineering controls. According to the United States Department of Labor, these controls constitute “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.”
These changes can include, but are not limited to:
- Prioritizing low-noise tools and machinery over more harmful, noisy ones.
- Placing a barrier between your crew members and the source of the noise.
- Enclosing or isolating the source of the noise.
You can also take steps towards harm reduction through a system of administrative controls. There are workplace changes instituted by changing worker behavior to limit their exposure to harmful levels of noise.
These can include:
- Limiting the time each worker spends near a noise source.
- Mandating the use of PPE such as earmuffs and earplugs.
- Controlling noise exposure through distance by instructing workers to stand further away from louder equipment.
Another important aspect of a hearing conservation program is providing your crew with the adequate PPE for their job. In this case, we are referring to hearing protection devices (or HPDs) such as high quality earmuffs and earplugs. Though, ideally, administrative and engineering controls should significantly lessen the risk your crew is under, it is important to continually enforce the use of PPE in the workplace. In the event that a crew member must be exposed to noise, or already shows symptoms of sustained hearing loss from prior labor, this PPE will provide an acceptable noise barrier.
Other key elements to consider when instituting your hearing conservation program are:
- Implementing a “noise sampling” system in the workplace, which includes personal noise monitoring that identifies and assists specific employees who might be at risk of hazardous noise exposure.
- Educating your workers about the hazards of noise exposure, and training them on how to properly take care of themselves. Take a look at our safety video streaming service here.
- Being transparent with crew members in your noise monitoring processes. This also means allowing these individuals to view your noise sampling levels freely.
- Instituting and maintaining a worker audiometric testing program (hearing tests). This test is a professional evaluation of the health effects of noise upon an individual worker’s hearing.
- Identifying workers who already show signs of hearing loss and implementing a follow-up process with them to prevent further hearing damage.
- Tailoring your workplace’s specific PPE and preventative procedures to the types of noise present in your workplace.