Sounding out solutions
June 1st 2006

In addition to highlighting important factors relating to noise on construction sites, a recent survey carried out by Laing O'Rourke and 3M demonstrated the role an on-line HPE selector tool can play in speeding up the selection process for hearing protection equipment

International construction company Laing O'Rourke and occupational health and environmental safety specialist 3M joined forces recently to conduct a comprehensive, threemonth survey on construction site noise prior to the introduction in April of the new Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. The two companies carried out a series of noise assessments on 10 Laing O'Rourke construction sites throughout the UK. Tests were performed and recorded to determine:

• The levels and type of noise generated by typical construction tasks and tools;
• Typically, who was exposed to high or continued levels of noise;
• Whether processes or procedures could be improved or introduced to reduce noise at source;
• Which hearing defenders provided sufficient protection to comply with the new exposure action levels;
• The time it took to reach these levels.

The dangers from exposure to noise (the onset of tinnitus or noise-induced hearing loss) are, in the most part, longterm issues, with the effects gradually appearing over time. Sometimes workers can unknowingly expose themselves to high levels of noise by removing HPE intermittently for communication purposes (during a high noise level), deciding not to use HPE because of issues of comfort, dirt, ease of use and time restraints, incorrect fitting of earplugs and a disassociation with the long-term risk involved in exposure to noise.

Vikki Nash, 3M Occupational Health and Environmental Safety product manager, explains "Whether noise is of a high or low frequency is of particular importance when trying to control the risk of hearing damage. But, in addition to selecting the correct level of protection for the type and duration of noise, vital considerations are comfort, compatibility with other PPE and ease of use.

"Even if workers are aware of the importance of wearing PPE, this research has highlighted that safety products that are uncomfortable or time consuming to fit do not encourage use. For instance, standard disposable earplugs which are typically provided often take longer to roll and install correctly than the time of the individual noise exposure. A more practical solution would be 3M 1310 banded ear plugs or 3M 1450 helmet-mounted ear muffs which require minimal fitting."

The surveys included use of a Hearing Protection Equipment selector tool developed by 3M. This was used to establish which hearing defenders provided sufficient protection to comply with the new exposure action levels and also the time it took to reach these levels.

Normally, when selecting HPE, the safety professional will use product attenuation tables together with data from the noise risk assessment to work out which products offer the appropriate level of protection without under- or over-attenuating, in line with the action levels of current legislation. In addition, all the other necessary factors like comfort, personal choice and compatibility with other PPE should be taken into account.

Explaining how the HPE selector tool can improve this lengthy selection process, Adele Copsey, product manager, says "The 3M online HPE Selector Tool software processes the data that is input from the noise assessment report and instantly produces a list of colour-coded 3M product options that would be acceptable to that particular application. For example, if the noise level at the ear is within the optimum levels (between 75 and 80dB) when HPE is worn, the colourcoding will be green. If levels fall below 70 or above 85dB (therefore making that product unsuitable for a particular level/frequency), the colour code switches to red. Products with an acceptable attenuation will show up amber.

"This minimises the effort in selecting HPE for different applications of for a number of individuals, speeds up the process considerably and also increases the users's confidence in selecting the appropriate product when scrolling down through lists of HPE available."

The calculators within the HPE selector tool can be used to ensure compliance to the updated noise regulations. To ensure accuracy of calculations, 3M recommends that all sound level measurements required for the HML and Octave Band method be carried out using a Type 1 or Type 2 instrument, and that the equipment is calibrated in accordance with the manufacturers's instructions. 3M has designed the hearing protection calculators and selection tools as a guide for use by safety professionals with a proper understanding of noise measurement and noise safety.

The three month construction site survey was deemed a success by both 3M and Laing O'Rourke. Vikki Nash of 3M comments "We are delighted to have had the opportunity to work with a major construction company like Laing O'Rourke.

This is the first in what will be an ongoing programme of health and safety related projects on which we will be coworking.

Partnerships like this enable 3M to keep at the forefront of health and safety and enable the continual research and development of new products and services to meet and exceed changing industry requirements.

Gary Fisher, safety leader for Select Plant Hire Co, part of Laing O'Rourke, was equally upbeat. "The partnership with 3M has been very successful in identifying current and future issues relating to the health and safety of our construction site workers."

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