What's That You Say?
by Allen Cooley
The OSHA noise standard requires engineering controls within or around noise sources. Usually a newspaper will enclose folders; however, some newspapers have enclosed entire presslines.
It also specifies a hearing-conservation program, which includes noise monitoring, hearing protectors, audiometric evaluations, employee training and administrative controls.
NAA industrial hygienists have conducted many noise studies at newspapers over the years and have gained a good understanding of the noise characteristics of newspaper facilities.
Using measurements taken with precision sound-level meters and audio dosimeters, NAA industrial hygienists can evaluate a noisy environment and determine which employees must be included in a hearing-conservation program. In addition, NAA can evaluate the effectiveness of hearing protectors provided to employees.
After an NAA noise study is conducted and a final report issued, a newspaper may discover that it needs to develop a hearing-conservation program and require all pressroom, reelroom and mailroom employees to wear hearing protection when noisy equipment is running. Also, annual training on the use and care of hearing protectors, audiometric testing and hearing loss may have to be provided to all affected employees.
From the annual audiometric testing, a newspaper might discover that a "standard threshold shift" in hearing has occurred in employees. In this case, the hearing protectors worn by those employees must reduce noise exposure to an eight-hour, time-weighted average of 85 decibels or less.
You should conduct a noise survey if you suspect that any employee may be exposed to high levels of noise. Also, repeat monitoring whenever a change in production process increases noise exposures.
Allen Cooley is an NAA industrial hygienist. E-mail, coola@naa.org; phone, (703) 902-1834; fax, (703) 902-1857.