Posted on: March 16, 2015
International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA) Conference Paper: 27th April 2015: Peter Wilson: INVC Technical Director
HSE Research – PPE is generally ineffective…
HSE proving that hearing protection is not effective across most industrial applications (our summary of the PPE research is available here) provides a gold plated opportunity for the legal profession to drive a coach and horses through hearing damage claim defences based on PPE use. Consequently, as real-world PPE performance is so compromised, the best way to guarantee low levels of risk at low cost is to reduce the noise levels. This workshop paper demonstrates how occupational health and other professionals can add value to noise risk assessments by linking to best practice in engineering noise control to reduce the risks of hearing damage dramatically.
How to Add Quiet to Noise Assessments
Whilst noise control is not always practical, occupational health specialists are generally unaware of the technology that is now available. This can not only reduce hearing damage risk at a fraction of the cost of conventional measures, but, oxymoronically, noise control is self-financing surprisingly often as it reduces the requirement for PPE and can actually improve plant operation and productivity.
The paper provides a detailed guide as to how to modify the noise risk assessment process so that professionals without engineering expertise can generate the information required for a preliminary evaluation of the noise control options, costs and benefits. It also provides supporting material in the form of a host of multimedia case studies.
The Conference Paper Presentation
The International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA) 2015 Conference was organised by the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS). The presentation? “I attended your noise control workshop and had a great time, I found it both engaging and thought provoking.” Trevor Laurent: Air Surveys Ltd.
View the presentation here - http://www.slideshare.net/invc/test-ioha-47512588
We also have a White Paper version of this presentation with more detailed content. Download a copy of the IOHA White Paper here >
