Occupational noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) has been a major concern since the beginning of the industrial revolution. Several hundred years later, noise and hearing loss are still are major concerns for the construction work force, management and safety professionals. Depending on the trade, one study of more than 1300 noise measurements indicated approximately 70% of the construction workers had a full shift time weighed average (TWA) exposure at or above the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) of 85 dBA. About 10% of those workers had full shift average exposures above the current US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) construction Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 90 dBA. [Neitzel, et al. 2011a] Noise levels of typical construction equipment can range from approximately 88 dBA for circular saws, to 96 dBA for chipping guns, to 102 dBA for jackhammers. [ANSI 2013] In calculations made by the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) using data from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey, 21% of construction workers self reported some type of hearing problem. [CPRW 2013] In addition, exposure to noise has been associated with increased pulse rate, high blood pressure, muscle tension, sleeplessness and fatigue. [Basner, et al. 2014]
While hearing loss continues to be a problem for the construction industry, a significant amount of research has been published which gives possible insight as to why the problem persists, shortcomings in past efforts to control noise and more importantly new ideas to help reduce this problem. This paper will look at five main areas of construction hearing conservation:
Exposure Assessment – What are the options to determine worker exposure?
Occupational Exposure Limits – What are the current regulatory and good practice limits for noise and how do they affect the evaluation of a worker's exposure?
Use of Hearing Protection Devices (HPD) – While engineering controls are the preferred method to prevent occupational exposure, in construction HPD is typically the control method implemented. Accepting this for now, how can selection and wearing practices be improved to maximize use and more importantly actual effectiveness?
Training – What techniques and insights can be utilized to improve training to make it more impactful to the worker and encourage hearing healthy attitudes and behaviors in the workforce?
Engineering Controls – How can engineering controls be used more in construction?
