You have been hired as an industrial hygiene consultant by a small industry that has a problem with the noise level in their factory. They have asked you to conduct a noise assessment to ensure that they will be in compliance with OSHA regulations when they have their inspection. The factory has four main areas where workers are located, which is given below, along with the number of workers that are in that area. It is your job to determine your plan for conducting a noise assessment along with a budget for what it will cost to complete the assessment. You will be given a week’s time to create your plan and then you will present this plan to the managers of the industry.
Processing / Handling (where the product is created)
Machine Operators – 20
Mechanics / Electricians – 5 (Mainly work in processing and handling but may be in labeling some of the time)
Processing Quality Control Inspectors – 2
Labeling
Label Machine Operator – 5
Labeling Quality Control Inspectors – 2
Shipping / Receiving
Fork Lift Drivers – 15 (They mainly stay in shipping and receiving but may have to move around the entire factory during the day)
Dock Workers – 5 (Stay in the docks to load and unload trucks at all times)
Administration
Managers – 2 (Mostly in the offices, but may be on the factory floor periodically)
Health & Safety Officer – 1 (May be throughout the factory during the day)
Human Resource Personnel – 3
Secretarial Staff – 4
Proposal Requirements
Title Page
Introduction – The OSHA regulations relating to noise (STEL, TWA, etc.), possible control measures for noise (engineering, administrative, PPE), ways you can assess the noise level workers are exposed to, etc.
Methods – What equipment will you use, what employees and what locations will you sample, how long will sampling take, etc.
Safety & Health Requirements – Plan for how you will keep your employees safe while completing this work and how you will keep the other companys’ employees safe during the assessment
Timeline – Need to create a time line of how long this will take and how many hours will be required
Budget – How much will equipment rental cost, how much will your time cost, will you require travel reimbursement, do you need someone to assist you with the project, etc.
Deliverables – What will the company receive as part of this noise assessment?
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
In this assignment, you have been hired as an industrial hygiene consultant to conduct a noise assessment for a small industry. The industry is concerned about the noise levels in their factory and wants to ensure compliance with OSHA regulations before an inspection. Your task is to create a plan for conducting the noise assessment and provide a budget for the assessment. You will also need to outline the safety measures and timelines for the project, as well as identify the deliverables that the company will receive as part of the assessment.
Answer:
To conduct a thorough noise assessment in the factory, the following plan should be implemented:
1. OSHA Regulations and Control Measures:
Begin the proposal by providing an overview of OSHA regulations pertaining to noise exposure in the workplace. Highlight key terms such as Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) and Time-Weighted Average (TWA). Discuss the control measures for noise, including engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE). Emphasize the importance of compliance with these regulations to ensure a safe working environment for employees.
2. Methods:
Explain the equipment and techniques that will be utilized to measure noise levels accurately. It is advisable to employ specialized noise meters or dosimeters to gather representative data. Select a group of employees from each area and determine the appropriate number of samples for reliable results. Ensure that your sample size covers a significant portion of the workforce.
3. Sampling Locations:
Identify the specific areas where noise measurements will be taken. In this case, the factory has four main areas: Processing/Handling, Labeling, Shipping/Receiving, and Administration. Include a description of potential noise sources within each area and the number of workers present. This information will help prioritize sampling locations and assess noise exposure risks comprehensively.
4. Sampling Duration:
Determine the duration of each noise measurement, considering factors such as varying work shifts and tasks performed by employees. It is crucial to capture noise levels during different work activities to obtain a representative sample. Specify the total sampling time required for each area, ensuring that it aligns with industry best practices and provides meaningful exposure information.
5. Safety and Health Requirements:
Outline the safety measures that will be implemented during the assessment to protect both your employees and the company’s workers. This may include providing personal protective equipment (PPE) to your staff, ensuring they are trained in relevant safety protocols, and conducting the assessment during non-peak hours to minimize disruption to operations. Emphasize the importance of coordinating with the company’s safety personnel to ensure a safe work environment for all.
6. Timeline:
Create a detailed timeline that outlines the duration of the noise assessment project. Break it down into specific tasks, such as employee training, equipment setup, data collection, and data analysis. Provide estimates of the number of hours required for each task and allocate sufficient time for unforeseen circumstances. The timeline should be realistic, ensuring minimal disruption to the company’s operations.
7. Budget:
Prepare a comprehensive budget for the noise assessment. Include costs for equipment rental, employee wages, potential travel expenses, and any additional resources required for the project. Clearly state the duration for which equipment rental is necessary and the number of staff members involved in the assessment. Additionally, specify whether any external assistance is needed to complete the assessment.
8. Deliverables:
Clearly identify the deliverables that the company will receive as part of the noise assessment. This may include a detailed report summarizing the findings, recommendations for noise control measures, and a noise exposure assessment for each area. Ensure that the deliverables are aligned with the company’s objectives and provide actionable insights to improve the working conditions.
Remember to tailor the plan and budget to the specific requirements and characteristics of the industry you are consulting for. Ensure that all aspects of the proposal are well-researched, clearly presented, and address the industry’s noise concerns effectively.
