Overview
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
Presentation 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.
- Assessment Plan – What equipment will you use, what employees and what locations will you sample, what is the timeline for your sampling
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.
Conclusion – Why is noise assessment important enough to spend the money?
- References – Where you obtained regulations, controls, equipment rental prices, etc.