Assignment
I. OSHA uses a 5 dBA exchange rate, meaning that the allowed exposure time is cut in half for every increase in exposure of 5 dBA. ACGIH and NIOSH recommend a 3 dBA exchange rate because noise energy exposure actually doubles every 3 dBA. OSHA explains the use of the 5 dBA exchange rate as a means to account for the time during a workday that the employee is not exposed to noise, like breaks. Imagine you are a safety officer who has to choose which exchange rate is preferable to use at your organization. Discuss in your journal entry whether the 5 dBA or the 3 dBA exchange rate should be used for controlling occupational noise exposure.
II. 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.
III. 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. Please refer to 29 CFR 1910.95(b)(2) for the formula.
IV. Define the following terms associated with occupational noise:
• Wavelength
• Frequency
• Sound Pressure
• Decibel
• Octave Band
V. 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
|
• Calculate the 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) noise exposure for each of the three workers.
• Summarize which (one) of the exposures exceeds OSHA's permissible exposure limit (PEL) and/or action level for noise.
• Discuss what factors about the noise monitoring may have affected the accuracy of the noise measurements.
Format your assignment according to the give formatting requirements:
• The answer must be using Times New Roman font (size 12), double spaced, typed, with one-inch margins on all sides.
• The response also includes a cover page containing the student's name, the title of the assignment, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
• Also include a reference page. The references and Citations should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.