There are safety rules and regulations around acceptable levels of noise safety. This is due to various reasons, such as loud noises affecting the ability to hear and causing other problems like tinnitus.
When working in high-activity areas with heavy machinery like cranes, OSHA enforces certain rules to follow. Organizations must employ the necessary noise control measures to prevent their workers from developing hearing-related problems.
Let’s explore more about controlling noise in a work environment in a guide to crane noise safety.
The Hierarchy of Control in High-Stimulus Work Environments
Employers have a legal responsibility to control the amount of stimulus in the work environment. They must try to minimize the noise levels or eliminate them altogether to promote a safety culture in the workplace. Losing your hearing is a serious problem that can afflict workers. This is why employers must provide the necessary protection, such as noise-blocking headphones. Depending on the situation and the noise levels nearby, you can choose between the least and most reliable options.
There has been a greater emphasis placed on occupational health hazards, such as noise and vibrations, in recent years. This indicates that the WHS Regulations are doing their part to promote worker safety. By going through the hierarchy of noise control, employers can create a safer work environment.
What are the Effects of Noise Exposure Due to Cranes?
Loud noises can lead to many difficulties in the workplace. This is especially the case if you are constantly exposed to these sounds and vibrations. Not only can you experience hearing loss, but you can also suffer from psychological effects.
As a rule of thumb, you should minimize your exposure to noise sources in the workplace. If you cannot avoid them, you need to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment at all times.
In mild cases, your hearing loss may only be temporary. However, it is not uncommon for crane noise levels to contribute to permanent hearing loss. This is typically when workers are exposed to these environments for many hours a day.
OSHA has done a lot of work to promote worker safety in the workplace. Crane noise safety is an important chapter in its rulebook. Recently, it has prioritized a hearing conservation program to help workers protect their hearing.
Some of the things covered in this program include checking sound equipment, wearing hearing protection, undergoing the necessary training sessions, etc.
Cranes also produce a lot of vibration. This means that operators can also suffer from other conditions like hand-arm vibration syndrome. However, the most serious problem crane noise can cause is hearing loss.
The Benefits of Noise Management in the Workplace
Without proper noise management in the workplace, cranes can cause short and long-term health complications. These affect not just crane operators but also the workers in the vicinity. They can lead to higher levels of workplace stress and fatigue while also decreasing productivity.
If your ears are constantly ringing due to the vibrations and noise pollution in the air, you will experience these problems. However, OSHA and WHS Regulations have made it possible to devise effective noise management strategies in the workplace.
Let’s explore the benefits of adopting these techniques, which include noise source reduction, attenuation, and mandatory wearing of PPE.
1. Protection Against Hearing Loss
When employers take measures to reduce crane safety and provide the necessary training sessions, they can protect their workers from hearing loss. However, it is not possible to reduce crane noise without taking proactive action. It is, therefore, good news for workers that employers are legally required to promote workplace safety.
2. Higher Productivity
When crane noise levels are too high, the workplace can be a distracting environment for employees. Employers can adopt the necessary noise reduction strategies to help their employees perform better in the workplace.
3. Improved Safety
Noise levels can lead to safety issues in the workplace. For example, you may run into a mobile crane because of high ambient noise levels, leading to injury or even death. All high-activity workplaces have safety features like auditory alarms to alert staff of nearby activities.
However, when crane noise levels are too high, workers may not heed the warning and become seriously injured. For this reason, noise risk management can lead to improved safety at work.
Crane Warning Systems Atlanta provides RaycoWylie products to help you improve your work environment. ATB warning systems can let workers know of incoming cranes and activities in the workplace, preventing injury and promoting safety.
Browse through a list of relevant products to help counter the effects of noise pollution in your work environment. Stack the latest products for your crane scale activities to promote crane noise safety.
Contact them at 770-888-8083 to inquire further.
No comments yet