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Notices
A worker may not have a daily exposure to noise that is greater than 85
dBA or an impact noise in excess of a peak level of 140 dB as listed in the
tables below.
Steady state noise
|
Noise level (dBA) |
Maximum exposure
without hearing protection (hours) |
|
85 |
8 |
|
88 |
4 |
|
91 |
2 |
|
94 |
1 |
|
97 |
½ |
|
100 |
¼ |
|
Over 103 |
0 |
Impact noise
|
Peak sound pressure
level (dB) |
Maximum number of
impacts per 24-hour period |
|
118 |
14400 |
|
121 |
7200 |
|
124 |
3600 |
|
127 |
1800 |
|
130 |
900 |
|
133 |
450 |
|
136 |
225 |
|
139 |
112 |
|
140 |
90 |
|
Over 140 |
0 |
Noise exposure must be kept as
low as practical. (Occupational Health Regulations, 4)
When
workers are required to work in areas where the noise level exceeds the
permissible noise exposure level, the employer must take appropriate measures
to suppress the noise to approved levels. If it is not reasonably practicable
to decrease the noise or isolate the worker from the noise, the workers must be
provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) that will effectively protect
them from the harmful effects of the noise.
Workers must wear PPE when required. (General Safety Regulations 1986/164, 14)
Where
muff-type hearing protectors are worn, the worker must wear them in such a way
that the muff maintains an effective seal around the ears. Workers in any work
areas must not wear hearing protectors that have been designed or modified to
accept radio or other music sources. (Occupational Health Regulations,
5)
The employer must post and maintain clearly worded warning signs at entrances to areas where persons are exposed to noise levels in excess of 80 dBA of steady state noise or impact noise in excess of a peak level of 140 dBA. The signs must clearly state that a noise hazard exists and describe the hearing protection required. (Occupational Health Regulations, 5)
The employer must establish and maintain an audiometric test program for those workers routinely exposed to noise in excess of 80 dBA steady-state noise for 8 hours or impact noise in excess of the limits specified below.
|
Peak sound pressure
level (dB) |
Maximum # of impacts
per 24-hour period |
|
Over 135 |
0 |
|
135 |
90 |
|
134 |
112 |
|
131 |
225 |
|
128 |
450 |
|
125 |
900 |
|
122 |
1800 |
|
119 |
3600 |
|
116 |
7200 |
|
113 |
14400 |
Every worker exposed in excess of the limits must receive an annual audiometric test. A new worker must receive an audiometric test within 6 months of first being exposed to noise in excess of the specified limits. A worker must receive a follow-up examination in any of the following circumstances: a worker has been exposed to an unusually loud noise such as an explosion, where an ear infection, head injury, or complaint to the ear has occurred, or when an audiogram has been classified as abnormal change.
The employer must maintain a record of the audiometric test for each worker, and keep a record as long as the worker remains employed by that employer. (Occupational Health Regulations, 6)
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