5.3 Administrative noise control measures
Equipment maintenance programs
'Buy quiet’ program
Job rotation
Administrative noise control measures should be used when it is not possible to reduce noise exposure through engineering noise control measures.
Administrative noise control measures include:
- organising schedules so that noisy work is done when as few as people as possible are present;
- notifying people in advance when noisy work is to be carried out so they can limit their exposure to it;
- keeping people out of noisy areas if their job does not require them to be there;
- sign posting noisy areas;
- providing quiet rest areas for food and rest breaks; and
- limiting the time workers spend in noisy areas by moving them to quiet work areas before their daily noise exposure levels are exceeded.
It is not always possible to reduce noise emissions for some machines and equipment, for example, large ball mills, angle grinders and explosive powered tools. In these cases, the operator should be protected through the best available means possible. If administrative control measures are relied on, there should be regular checks to ensure that they are fully and correctly complied with.
The following administrative noise control measures can be used depending on the noise levels at the workplace.
Equipment maintenance programs
In most cases maintaining machines and equipment in good condition will reduce noise. Reductions of machine noise by up to 10dB(A) can be achieved this way. Greater reductions can be accomplished depending on the types of machines and equipment. The maintenance program should include any modifications and/or additions for example, noise mufflers, vibration isolators, duct silencers. This should occur as noise levels can increase due to inadequate maintenance, clogging up or changes to machine settings or machine operations.
‘Buy quiet’ program
Opportunities for implementing a ‘buy quiet’ program arise when:
- plans are being made for the building and setting up of a workplace
- expansion or refurbishment of the workplace is being considered
- new plant and equipment is to be purchased.
Quieter production and handling of materials should be considered when new plant or equipment is being purchased. Prospective suppliers should be required to specify the expected sound pressure levels from the plant in operation, as well as the possibility for further noise reductions and associated costs. This will allow for a comparison of similar plant from competing suppliers. Purchasers can compare this information with their own targets for noise levels.
Acceptable maximum noise levels for plant and equipment should be specified if tenders are invited. Noise levels from new plant should not increase the current noise levels in the workplace. This should be included in the specification.
Job rotation
Job rotation involves changing tasks performed by workers so they are not exposed to risks from excessive noise, for example, if a worker is exposed to noise at a level of 94dB(A) for one hour, the worker should spend the rest of the shift in a work area, eg an office situation, quiet enough so that he or she is not further exposed to risks from noise and the total daily noise exposure level does not exceed LAeq,8h 85dB(A). It should be noted that noise exposure at a level of 94dB(A) for one hour is a daily noise exposure equivalent to LAeq,8h 85dB(A).
Last updated 22 July 2008