Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00426:reg:0:p19
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00426
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 0 (pt 19/20)
Character Range: 74058–77988

as hammering, pneumatic impact tools) or explosive sources (such as explosive powered tools, detonators)?                                     o    o

  5.       Are personal hearing protectors used for some work?                                                                                                                                 o    o

  6.       Do your workers complain that there is too much noise or that they can't clearly hear instructions or warning signals?                                                              o    o

  7.       Do your workers experience ringing in the ears or a noise sounding different in each ear?                                                                                           o    o

  8.       Do any long-term workers appear to be hard of hearing?                                                                                                                              o    o

  9.       Have there been any workers' compensation claims for noise-induced hearing loss?                                                                                                    o    o

  10.   Does any equipment have manufacturer's information (including labels) indicating noise levels equal or greater than any of the following:

  (a) 80 dB(A) LAeq,T (T= time period over which noise is measured)?                                                                                                                           o    o

  (b) 130 dB(C) peak noise level?                                                                                                                                                              o    o

  (c) 88 dB(A) sound power level?                                                                                                                                                              o    o

  11.   Do the results of audiometry tests indicate that past or present workers have hearing loss?                                                                                            o    o

  13.   Are any workers exposed to noise and ototoxins in the workplace?                                                                                                                       o    o

  14.   Are any workers exposed to noise and hand-arm vibration?                                                                                                                               o    o

APPENDIX C – READY RECKONER

Tables C1 to C3 provide a simple way of working out a worker's LAeq,8h (eight-hour equivalent continuous sound pressure level) if you know the noise level and duration of each of the noisy tasks carried out by the worker during the work shift.[4]
From Tables C1 or C2 you read off the number of "noise exposure points" that correspond to a particular task's noise level and exposure duration. Table C1 is for noise levels between 75 and 105 dB(A) and Table C2 is for higher noise levels between 95 and 125 dB(A).
For example, a task producing a noise level at the worker's ear of 93 dB(A) that is done for two lots of 30 minutes in a shift (i.e. one hour total) produces 80 noise exposure points. Another task with a noise level of 120 dB(A) for one minute during the shift produces 670 points.
These points can be added (in the normal arithmetic way) to give the total exposure points for the shift. Table C3 is then used to convert the total points to the LAeq,8h.
In the example above, if these were the only noisy tasks carried out by the worker, the points total is 750 and (from Table C3, rounding to the nearest whole decibel) the LAeq,8h for the worker is 94 dB(A).
This calculated LAeq,8h value can be compared with the exposure standard for noise i.e. LAeq,8h = 85 dB(A). Additionally, noise exposure points can be used to prioritise the noise control program by showing which tasks make the greatest