Health Topics

Marco Keersemaker
September 2015

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Agenda

Noise
Dust
Heat
Diseases
Ergonomics

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Reading Material
ICCM Good Practice Guide on Occupational Health Risk
Assessment
Chapter 10 of Fundamental Principles of Occupational Health
and Safety by B.O. Alli

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What Is Noise?

Unwanted energy transmitted through air that

can be sensed by the body and can effect a
persons hearing (Noise Induced Hearing Loss
or NIHL)

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Noise: the 4 Ps
Noise-induced hearing loss is the number one occupational disability.
It is generally painless
It is progressive over time
It is permanent
It is preventable

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How Does Hearing Work?

Hammer
Hammer

Stirrup
Stirrup
Anvil
Anvil

Semicircular
Semicircular
canals
canals

Pinna
Pinna

Auditory
Auditory
Nerves
Nerves

Outer
OuterEar
Ear
Cochlea
Cochlea

Canal
Canal
Eardrum
Eardrum

Eustachian
Eustachian
Tube
Tube

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Sound Receptors

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Damaged Hair Cells

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Health Effects of Noise

Initial loss of higher frequency sounds
With continued exposure lower and lower
frequency sounds disappear
Ringing or hollow buzzing in the ears (Tinnitus)
NIHL can be permanent or temporary
Amount of NIHL depends on how loud the noise
is and how long you are exposed
Once hearing is lost it cant be recovered
Aging (>50 years) also causes the loss of
higher frequencies (called Presbycusis)

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Normal Hearing Audiogram

RIGHT EAR

Hearing Loss in Decibels

LEFT EAR

Frequency in Cycles Per Second

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Early Hearing Loss Audiogram

RIGHT EAR

Hearing Loss in Decibels

LEFT EAR

Frequency in Cycles Per Second

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Noise Induced Hearing Loss

Initially, exposure to noise causes a loss of sensitivity to
high frequency (high pitch) sound.
Continued exposure results in damage to mid frequency
region as well.
One can experience progressive high frequency hearing
loss and not be aware of it until it becomes severe
(doesnt affect loudness perception).

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How Can It Happen?

ACOUSTIC TRAUMA ONE TIME EXPOSURE TO LOUD
SOUND
OR
DAILY EXPOSURES TO MODERATELY LOUD SOUNDS

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HOW DO WE KNOW SOMETHING

IS TOO LOUD?
Could use 3 foot rule

If you have to raise your voice to be heard by someone

standing within 3 foot (arms length) then the level is most
likely above the hazardous noise level
or
Objectively measure loudness with proper equipment
iPhone demo

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When is noise scientifically defined to

be a hazard?
-Duration of exposure, intensity (volume) of
sound, repeated exposure, individual
susceptibility
Limits
- 80dBA entering risk phase (trigger level !)
- 85dBA/ 8 hrs @ 5days/week for steady-state
noise sources
-140dBA for impulse/impact noise sources

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Typical Noise Levels

Jet Aircraft Takeoff (25m away) n

Chainsaw

Lawn Mower n Busy Road

Telephone n

Conversation n

Business Office

n Library n Quiet Office

n Leaves Rustling
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Quiz: what is how loud?

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Loud rock concert at speakers:

Normal house stereo at max volume:
Totally quiet night in desert:
Vacuum cleaner:
Pin drop from 1 cm height heard at 1 meter distance:
Hiroshima atomic bomb:
Gunshot:
Loudest human scream:
Intercity at 150 km/h:

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More . . .
Human eardrum rupture:
Dragster:
Earthquake at 2.0 on Richter scale:
Earthquake at 5.0:
Loudest bang ever:
1 pound TNT at 5 meter:

Pneumatic rock drill:

Electric shaver:

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Typical Exposure Data U/G

Coalmine
Longwall
90.8 dB(A)
(81.8-105.7)
Belts
90.7 dB(A)
(84.3-99.1)
Drillers
88.9 dB(A)
(82.2-96.1)
Surface Workers 85.1 dB(A)
(67.3-94.4)
Conveyor chain operating on a continuous miner with coal
86 89 dB(A)
Conveyor chain operating on a continuous miner without
coal 89 94 dB(A)
Ventilation fans between 94dB(A) to 112 dB(A) at the
exhaust

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THE 3 dBA HALVING RULE

dBA
82
85
88
91
94
97
100

Exposure Time

16
8
4
2
1
0.5 (30 minutes)
0.25 (15 minutes)

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NOISE ZONES Development Panel

Deaf Zone

The Deaf Zone is 15 metres

from the source of the noise

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Permanent Effects of Noise

Induced Hearing Loss
-Difficulty understanding conversation, particularly in

background noise.
Quality of environmental sound is diminished.
-Ringing in Ears - tinnitus

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Approved Types of HPDs

Earplugs
Pre-formed
Hand-formed

Noise Muffs

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NOISE REDUCTION RATING

(NRR)
All hearing protection devices have a Noise
Reduction Rating (NRR)
What is noise reduction rating?
The amount of noise from your environment that your
hearing protection filters out (keeps out of your ears)
What is noise reduction rating?

The amount of noise from your environment that your

hearing protection filters out (keeps out of your ears)
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Noise Muffs

Noise Reduction Rating (NRR)=23dB

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OTHER PROTECTIVE MEASURES

Eliminate noise source
Redesign

silent engines, cabins

Administrative Controls

limit exposure time/ reschedule shifts

Double protection

earplugs + earmuffs (only after specialized OHH and

Medical consultation)

Medical periodic examination

if exposed to more than 80 dB(A) over 8 hrs worktime and

5 days/week, you are advised to be scheduled annually for
audiograms. Important to get feedback before it is a
problem.
Hearing loss can not be repaired!
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Heat
Effect from heat stress on human body can range from mild
(rash, cramps) to severe (exhaustion, heat stroke, death)
At risk factors are:
Working in confined space
Working in hot, humid conditions
Working in vicinity of hot sources

Prevention:
Plan physical workload
Acclimatisation
Special PPE
Fluid replacement

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Dust: Definition
ISO:

Dust: small solid particles, conventionally taken as those

particles below 75 m in diameter, which settle out under their
own weight but which may remain suspended for some time".

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Dust
Examples of the types of dust found in the work environment
include:
mineral dusts, such as those containing free crystalline
silica (e.g. as quartz), coal and cement dusts;
metallic dusts, such as lead, cadmium, nickel, and
beryllium dusts;
other chemical dusts, e.g., many bulk chemicals and
pesticides:
organic and vegetable dusts, such as flour, wood, cotton
and tea dusts, pollens;
biohazards, such as viable particles, moulds and spores

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Dust as an occupational hazard

Airborne dusts are of particular concern because they are
well known to be associated with classical widespread
occupational lung diseases such as the pneumoconioses, as
well as with systemic intoxications such as lead poisoning,
especially at higher levels of exposure. There is also
increasing interest in other dust-related diseases, such as
cancer, asthma, allergic alveolitis, and irritation, as well as a
whole range of non-respiratory illnesses, which may occur at
much lower exposure levels.

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Fibrous dust
Fibrous dusts have been shown to present special health
problems primarily related to shape of particles. Example:
asbestos
As per WHO 1997: particles with diameter < 3 m m, length >
5 m m, and aspect ratio (length to width) greater than or
equal to 3 to 1, are classified as "fibres
Other examples: synthetic materials like rockwool, glasswool
and nylon

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Tools
Select special mask for specific
task/condition

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Tropical Diseases
Malaria
Fatalities
Prevention is better than cure
Killed more people than Ebola during peak of disease

Dengue
Spread by Dengue mosquito
No cure
Prevent breeding: housekeeping, no stagnant water sources

Ebola
Strict protocols
Close monitoring

Be prepared

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Ebola Situational Evaluation Matrix

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Ergonomics

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What is Ergonomics?

Ergonomics is the study of work and the physical

work environment. It involves fitting the
workstation to the person who uses it to create an
ergonomically correct workstation.

2008

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Why is an Ergonomically Correct

Workstation Important?

An ergonomically correct workstation will

help to prevent bodily injuries that occur
over time due to poor posture, repetitive
motion, poor workstation design, or
improper lifting.

2008

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Evolution

worker

computer

machine

Raw
materials

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Injuries Associated With Ergonomically

Incorrect Computer Workstations

fingers

hands

wrists

elbows

upper arm/shoulder

back

eyes

Although some injuries are only short-term, many result

in long-term damage, which are known as Cumulative
Trauma Disorders.
2008

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Cumulative Trauma Disorders

& Other Common Problems

2008

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Tendonitis

Chronic back pain

Eye strain

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Repetitious finger and hand movements that cause swelling
of the tendons and put pressure on the median nerve, which
is in the carpal tunnel area of the wrist.
SYMPTOMS Pain
Tingling
Numbness
Weakness in hands
Waking at night with hand pain
TREATMENT Non-surgical: moderate cases
Reduce repetition in work
Wear wrist splints at night
Exercise hands and wrists
Use over-the-counter pain medication
Surgical: severe cases
Cut the ligament across the carpal tunnel in the wrist to
relieve pressure on the median nerve

CAUSE

2008

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Eye Strain
CAUSE

SYMPTOMS

Focusing on a monitor for extended time periods

without resting the eyes
Monitor screen glare, poor lighting or poor
workstation design
Headaches
Focusing problems
Double vision
Problems with color perception

TREATMENT Focus your eyes on something other than the monitor

every 10 minutes.
Keep your eyes lubricated by blinking regularly.
Take breaks from working on the computer.
Adjust your work area lights and monitor contrast.
Reposition monitor screen angle to eliminate glare.
Rearrange your work area to adjust the monitor.
Relax. Stress can worsen eye strain.
2008

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Symptoms of Common Problems

Localized pain
Numbness
Tingling sensation
Stiffness
Swelling
Loss of coordination

Deep ache in muscles

Weakness
Focusing problems
Headaches
Double vision

Although not all aches are Cumulative Trauma Disorders,

early intervention is the key for effective treatment.

2008

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Tasks that require repetitive motion may not seem risky, but damage can occur
over time.
Examples: typing, reaching, or twisting
Reduce repetitive motion by:
Rearranging the workstation so that frequently used items, such as the
phone or printer, are close by.
Combining tasks to eliminate unnecessary steps, such as extra reaching and
twisting.
If you cannot change a task to reduce repetition, make sure that you take
frequent mini-breaks. Just a quick stretch will allow muscles to relax.

2008

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