Noise Associated with Power Tools on the Work Site
Noise Associated with Power Tools on the Work Site
The workers at company X have been in the construction industry for a very long time and most of them are unaware of the ill effects of being exposed to high level noise created from hand and power tools.
While these tools may be very efficient, they produce large amounts of noise and vibrations. Being exposed over long periods of time without proper protective measures can put a person at risk for noise-induced hearing loss, accidents and health problems as some of these tools operate at sound levels above the 85 dB limit and some even reaching over 100 dB. (Wikipedia Power Tools / Hand Tools)
Some of the tools used on the work site and there sound levels
Tools
Average Sound Level
Peak Sound Level
Paslode nailgun 97 - 104 138
Cut-off saw 98 - 102 118
Electric grinder 98 - 102 123
Hand-held planer 96 - 100 114
Bench rip saw 95 - 99 116
Hammer on nail into timber 93 - 97 131
Jigsaw
91 - 95 112
Electric drill into timber 87 - 91 100
Belt sander 91 - 95 105
Circular saw 94 - 98 113
Masonry drill (timber then concrete) 96 - 100 111
Powder-actuated tool into timber 100 - 104 143
These workers conduct their daily work in the noisy environment without proper protective measures. What is very interesting is that some workers have their own Protective Hearing Device but chooses not to wear them because it’s uncomfortable or they are accustom working without it. There have been accidents were workers have been injured by reversing forklifts because they were unable to hear the reversing alarm and some had to constantly take breaks as the noise level was unbearable. Workers who weren’t operating any power tools were also affected as the area in which they work was a wide open space.
It is quite evident that there are no noise control measures in place to protect the workers from the effects of noise exposure but according to Section (34)
The workers at company X have been in the construction industry for a very long time and most of them are unaware of the ill effects of being exposed to high level noise created from hand and power tools.
While these tools may be very efficient, they produce large amounts of noise and vibrations. Being exposed over long periods of time without proper protective measures can put a person at risk for noise-induced hearing loss, accidents and health problems as some of these tools operate at sound levels above the 85 dB limit and some even reaching over 100 dB. (Wikipedia Power Tools / Hand Tools)
Some of the tools used on the work site and there sound levels
Tools
Average Sound Level
Peak Sound Level
Paslode nailgun 97 - 104 138
Cut-off saw 98 - 102 118
Electric grinder 98 - 102 123
Hand-held planer 96 - 100 114
Bench rip saw 95 - 99 116
Hammer on nail into timber 93 - 97 131
Jigsaw
91 - 95 112
Electric drill into timber 87 - 91 100
Belt sander 91 - 95 105
Circular saw 94 - 98 113
Masonry drill (timber then concrete) 96 - 100 111
Powder-actuated tool into timber 100 - 104 143
These workers conduct their daily work in the noisy environment without proper protective measures. What is very interesting is that some workers have their own Protective Hearing Device but chooses not to wear them because it’s uncomfortable or they are accustom working without it. There have been accidents were workers have been injured by reversing forklifts because they were unable to hear the reversing alarm and some had to constantly take breaks as the noise level was unbearable. Workers who weren’t operating any power tools were also affected as the area in which they work was a wide open space.
It is quite evident that there are no noise control measures in place to protect the workers from the effects of noise exposure but according to Section (34)