Hazardous Noise Case Study - Essay Example

Hazardous noise case study Risk Assessment Matrix Occurrence probability Catastrophic Severity of consequence- critical Severity of consequence-marginalNegligible FrequentHigh (Operation is not permissible)High (Operation is not permissible)Serious (High priority: immediate actions taken)Medium (Take immediate action)ProbableHigh (Operation is not permissible)High (Operation is not permissible)Serious (High priority: immediate actions taken)Medium(Take immediate action)OccasionalHigh (Operation is not permissible)Serious (High priority: immediate actions taken)Medium (Take immediate action)Low acceptable: take immediate action)RemoteSerious (High priority: immediate actions taken)Medium (Take immediate action)Medium (Take immediate action)Low acceptable: take immediate action)Improbable Medium(Take immediate action)Medium(Take immediate action)Medium (Take immediate action)Low (Risk acceptable: take immediate action)Based on the case study, it is evident that noise is a hazard in the local machine shop.

The maximum sound pressure should be below 100 Db(A) in all parts of the shop. The high sound pressure in the shop provides a potential for unwanted energy releases. It also accounts for the possible exposures to hazard environment in the shop. The severity of the risks from this hazard is categorized as catastrophic (Manuele, 2011). The presence of three abrasive grinders, one milling machine, three drill pressures, two band saws and two metal lathes which are used on daily basis lead to a frequent and probable occurrence of the sound pressure.

The exposure period for the employees is 8 hours per day. The frequency of exposure and duration of exposure to the hazard is high. The TWA for noise for the employees was found to be between 88 Db(A) to 97 Db(A) which are above the recommended levels an indication of the severity of its consequences. Control measuresThe hierarchy of controls includes:1. Elimination- This includes looking for ways of eliminating the hazard in order to reduce any risk occurrence. Elimination reduces risks exposures to acceptable levels.

The original risk highly critical and frequent. 2. Warnings- This will involve the use of alerting and warning techniques and hazard warning labels. These control measures are lower order controls that reduce risk exposures to acceptable levels (Manuele, 2011). The original risk highly catastrophic and frequent.3. Administrative controls- This will include the application of safeguards and installation of ventilation systems. Other administrative controls include training of the employees as well as safe working procedures.

The original risk highly catastrophic and probable.4. Personal protective equipment- It involves the incorporation of safety devices for use by the employees. This reduces risk exposures to the employees. The original risk highly catastrophic and probable.5. Engineering controls- Engineering controls will include the use of safeguarding technology to safeguard the employees from any hazard (Manuele, 2011). The original risk highly catastrophic and occasional.6. Substitution of less hazardous processes, materials, equipment or operation- Substituting hazardous processes or methods with less hazardous one is a control measure.

This leads to a substitution of a risky and hazardous process with a less risky and hazardous one. Substitution leads to the attainment of a tolerable level of risk. The original risk highly catastrophic and frequent.SummaryThe shop seems to be at a high risk exposure and this calls for the applicable of the best control measure to deal with the situation and lead to the attainment of a tolerable irks level. There are different ways through which the shop managers could determine which of the control measures to apply (Manuele, 2011).

The control measure should take into account the extent and nature of the risks being controlled, available technology, cost effectiveness, desired risk reduction degree, standards of internal organization, and the set requirements applicable to the local, state statutes regulations and standards. The shop managers should combine both higher and low order controls and limit the exposure on employees through job rotation or by using hearing protection. ReferencesManuele F.A, (2011). Advanced Safety Management Focusing on Z10 and Serious Injury Prevention.

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