Assignment:
Question 1:
You have been tasked with establishing and implementing an effective hearing conservation program for a metal stamping facility. Noise monitoring shows that employees working in the press areas of the facility are exposed to 8-hour TWA noise exposures between 85.0 dBA and 89.0 dBA. Based on the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.95, summarize the requirements for an effective hearing conservation program and discuss steps to make the program as effective as possible.
Question 2:
Summarize the characteristics and abilities of sound level meters (SLMs) and noise dosimeters and how they can be used to evaluate noise exposures at a facility.
Question 3:
Three workers (8-hour work shift) were monitored for work in different areas of a facility using calibrated noise dosimeters. The results are summarized in the following table. Time for Monitoring
Worker 1 Worker 2 Worker 3
3 hours 80.5 dBA 98.5 dBA 92.5 dBA
2 hours 81.0 dBA 86.5 dBA 85.0 dBA
2 hours 82.0 dBA 84.5 dBA 83.5 dBA
1 hour 95.0 dBA 83.5 dBA 80.0 dBA
a. Calculate the 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) noise exposure for each of the three workers.
b. Summarize which (one) of the exposures exceeds OSHA's permissible exposure limit (PEL) and/or action level for noise.
c. Discuss what factors about the noise monitoring may have affected the accuracy of the noise measurements.
Question 4:
Define the following terms associated with occupational noise:
a. Wavelength
b. Frequency
c. Sound Pressure
d. Decibel
e. Octave Band