(TNCP)

Transition for Noise Competent Person

Noise Control
Learning Objectives

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Utilise the noise mapping information.

• Explain the 3 basic principles hierarchy of noise control.
• Explain the 6 engineering control principles for noise.
• Discuss the legal requirements on Personal Hearing Protectors
(PHP) as according to Occupational Safety and Health
(Noise Exposure) Regulations 2019.

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 2

Scope

• Occupational Safety and Health (Noise Exposure) Regulations 2019.

• Industry Code of Practice For Management of Occupational Noise

Exposure and Hearing Conservation 201x.

• Guidelines for Control of Occupational Noise 2005, Department of

Occupational, Safety and Health Malaysia.

• Use of noise map in noise control.

• Basic principles hierarchy of noise control.

• Methods of noise reduction.

• Principles engineering control for noise.

• Administrative control for noise.

• Use of personal hearing protectors as according to regulation and act.

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 3

Utilising Noise Map

• Noise Map is a graphic representation of the

sound level distribution from a certain source of
noise.
• Noise Contour is a line on a map that represents
equal levels of noise exposure.
• Noise Contour will indicate the spread of noise
around certain source of sound.

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 4

Utilising Noise Map (Cont…)

• The projection of sound level can be obtained

through noise simulation by using software as well
as the utilization of current modern type of Sound
Level Meter.
• Noise sources with the higher noise level could be
identified and further mitigation action based on
Preventive Through Design (PtD) can be proposed
and implemented
• Priority should be given to the machines or process
that emitting higher noise levels.

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 5

Example of Noise Contour

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 6

Hierarchy of Noise Control Strategies

• Noise control efforts should be approach

according to the hierarchy of noise control
strategies:
1. Source
2. Path
3. Receiver

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 8

Hierarchy of Noise Control

PHP

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 9

Noise Control
- New Plant And Places Of Work
• The new plant and the design of the area in which it is to be
installed and the design of new place of works generally, will
provide opportunities for cost-effective noise control measures.
• Maximum acceptable level of noise emission
• Specify in invitation tender
• Without tender, noise emission data shall be obtained from suppliers

• Employers purchasing new plant shall obtain noise level

information from manufacturer or supplier.
• New places of work and installation sites for new plant in
existing places of work, shall be designed and constructed to
ensure that exposure to noise is as low as practicable.
• If new plant is likely to expose workers to excessive noise,
design features shall incorporate effective engineering control
measures to reduce noise to level as low as practicable.
© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 10
Noise Control
- Existing Plant And Places Of Work

• Once a noise risk assessment has been carried out and the
necessity to reduce the noise exposure of employees is
established, the task of controlling the noise can be
addressed.
• Priority to noise sources that contribute to the highest noise
exposures affecting the largest number of people.
• Noise exposure levels shall be reduced to, or below, the NEL
• Replacement machinery should be considered whether is
available and suitable which emits lower levels of noise or
would lead to lower levels of noise exposure.

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 11

Noise Control Procedure

• The recommended method of approach goes

according to the order outlined below:
1. Plant planning (design and layout)
2. Substitution (equipment, process, material)
3. Engineering Control:
• Control at source (modification of noise generator)
• Control at path (modification of sound wave)
4. Exposure Reduction
• Administrative procedures and arrangements
• Use of personal hearing protectors

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 12

Control by Plant Planning

• Successful planning for noise control involves:

1. Knowledge of the noise characteristics of each
machine and process; (requirement for noise
performance data)
2. Proposed location of each noise source, operator, and
maintenance man;(insulation against both airborne
and structure-borne sound)
3. Selection of design criteria based on employee
exposure time. (Sound absorption is effective not only
at the high frequencies, but also at the low and
medium frequencies)

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 13

Control by Substitution

• 3 Strategies should be considered:

1. Use Quieter Equipment
• Equipment purchase specifications include noise emission limits.

• New equipment, its type and speed should be selected on the basis of
the applicable noise criteria.

2. Use Quieter Processes

• The availability of quieter processes for both actual production work
as well as material handling.

3. Use Quieter Material

• Some materials have high internal damping and are called 'dead'
materials, while others called 'live' materials have little internal
damping and cause a ringing sound when struck.

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 14

Control at Source

• Control at source - generated noise

➢ Reduce impact noise.
➢ Reduce or eliminate aerodynamically generated noise.
➢ Reduce or eliminate any resonance effects.
➢ Modify or replace gears, bearings, bumpers or blades.
➢ Allow control of the speed of processes to enable
practical work flow.
➢ Reduce unbalance in rotating systems.
➢ Eliminate or replace the machine or its operation by a
quieter operation with equal or better efficiency.

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 15

Control at Source

• Control at source - generated noise

➢ Replace the noisy machinery by installing newer equipment
designed for operating at lower noise levels.

➢ Correct the specific noise source by minor design changes.

➢ Correct the specific machine elements causing the noise by

a local source approach, rather than by consideration of
the entire machine as a noise source.

➢ Separate the noisy elements that need not be an integral

part of the basic machine.

➢ Isolate the vibrating machine parts to reduce noise from

vibrating panels or guards

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 16

Control at Source

• Specific means of modification include the use of processes

that are inherently quieter than the alternatives.

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 17

Control at Source

• Material handling processes, in particular, can also be

modified to ensure that impact and shock during handling
and transport are minimised as far as possible.

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 18

Control at Source
Example of controlling noise at source
• Pump

Before After

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 19

Control at Source

Proper
design/
selection

Modification/ Vibration
replacement damping

CONTROL
AT
SOURCE
Proper Use of
maintenance enclosures

Reduction of
impact
forces

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 20

Control at Path
• Control at path - Directly transmitted noise
• Provide a partial or full enclosure around the machine.

• Use sound-absorptive material.

• Construct an acoustical barrier to shield, deflect, or absorb noise

• Reduce the leakage paths permitting noise from enclosures.

• Control at path — reverberant noise

• Use sound-absorptive material, e.g. fibre, carpet .

• Reduce reflections

• Control at path — structure-borne noise

• Use ducts lined with sound-absorptive material.

• Use wrapping on pipes to increase their sound insulation.

• Reduce turbulence from liquid or gaseous flows.

• Add mufflers.
© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 21
Control Through Inspection and Maintenance

• A system shall be established to ensure:

• regular inspection
• maintenance of vibration mountings, impact absorbers,
gaskets, seals, silencers, barriers, absorptive materials
and other equipment used to control noise

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 22

Principles of
Noise Engineering Control

• Absorption
• Insulation
• Distance,
• Silencer
• Vibration isolation
• Damping

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 23

Absorption

• Sound energy is absorbed whenever sound meets a porous

material
• Porous materials intended to absorb sound is called
absorbents
• Absorbents usually absorb 50-90% incident sound energy

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 24

Absorption

• Sound-absorptive material, e.g. fibre glass, thick-pile

carpet or acoustic tiles etc., on walls, ceiling or floor.
• Suitable materials are usually fibrous, lightweight and
porous.
• The fibres should be relatively rigid. If a cellular material
is used, the cells must intercommunicate.
• Foams should be reticulated to the proper degree.
• An absorption coefficient close to 0 means the
material will absorb very little acoustic energy.

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 25

Acoustic Materials for Sound Absorption
Sound Absorption Coefficient of COMMON Materials (Good)
Frequency (Hz)
Material
125 250 500 1000 2000 4000
Fibrous glass
1 inch thick 0.07 0.23 0.48 0.83 0.88 0.80
2 inch thick 0.20 0.55 0.89 0.97 0.83 0.79
4 inch thick 0.39 0.91 0.99 0.97 0.94 0.89
Polyurethane foam (open cell)
¼ inch thick 0.05 0.07 0.10 0.20 0.45 0.81
½ inch thick 0.05 0.12 0.25 0.57 0.89 0.98
1 inch thick 0.14 0.30 0.63 0.91 0.98 0.91
2 inch thick 0.35 0.51 0.82 0.98 0.97 0.95
Hairfelt
½ inch thick 0.05 0.07 0.29 0.63 0.83 0.87
1 inch thick 0.06 0.31 0.80 0.88 0.87 0.87
Carpet 0.02 0.06 0.14 0.37 0.60 0.65
Source : Guidelines for Control of Occupational Noise 2005, DOSH

Different characteristics of sound absorption capabilities of common acoustic materials

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 26

Acoustic Materials for Sound Absorption

Sound Absorption Coefficient of Surface Materials (Poor)

Frequency (Hz)
Material
125 250 500 1000 2000 4000
Brick: Glazed 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.02
Unglazed 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06
Unglazed, painted 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.03
Concrete block painted 0.10 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.09 0.08
Concrete / terrazzo 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02
Wood 0.15 0.11 0.10 0.07 0.06 0.07
Glass 0.35 0.25 0.17 0.12 0.08 0.04
Gypsum board 0.29 0.10 0.05 0.04 0.07 0.09
Plywood 0.28 0.22 0.17 0.09 0.10 0.11

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 27

Absorption
Absorptive Material

Source: ILO Noise at Work

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 28
Absorption

No. Type of Noise Type of Work Area/ Description of Recommendation

Engineering Control Machine

1. Absorption Palm oil mill, engine Acoustically absorbent ceiling

room, controller room, (the average reverberant noise
production area, level was reduced by 6dB to
pump house etc. 87dB and the operators noise
exposures were reduced by 4dB

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 29

Insulation

• When sound meets a wall or partition, only a small

proportion of sound energy passes through, most
are reflected back
• Provide a partial or full enclosure around the
machine.
• Use wrapping or lagging on pipes to increase their
sound insulation.

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 30

Insulation
• Reduction levels resulting from barriers or enclosures vary
significantly.
• Single-wall barriers with no openings may provide as little as
2 - 5 dB reduction in the low frequencies and a 10 - 15 dB
reduction in the high frequencies.
• Complete enclosures from simple practical designs may
provide noise reduction levels in excess of 10 - 15 dB in the
low frequencies and more than 30 dB in the high
frequencies.

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 31

Insulation - Application

Source : Guidelines for Control of Occupational Noise 2005, DOSH

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 32

Insulation - Application

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 33

Insulation - Application

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 34

Insulation
No. Type of Noise Type of Work Area/ Description of Recommendation
Engineering Machine
Control
2. Insulation Piping, machine Thermally lag the pipes with a conventional
tools, power and system consisting of a 30 to 50mm mineral
printing presses, wool jacket and a 1mm thick aluminium
packing and filling outer skin. Noise was reduced by over
machines, 15dB.
conveyors etc.
Using strips of acoustic curtain to provide a
measure of screening and ease of access
to the work piece. Noise was reduced by
over 6dB at the operators ear

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 35

Attenuation by Distance

• Sound that propagates from a point source in free

air attenuates by 6dB for each doubling of
distance from source
• For indoors, attenuation is less due to
contributions to the total sound level from
reverberant sound brought about by reflection
from walls and ceilings.
• The reverberant sound depends on the room
shape, size and absorption, and does not depend
on distance from the source.

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 36

Relative SPL from the Source Receiver Distance

Source : Guidelines for Control of Occupational Noise 2005, DOSH

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 37

Control of Noise Distance

meter

Simple Method of Knowing How Much Sound

is Reduced by distance
Source: ILO Noise at Work
© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 38
Calculation of SPL Based On Distance

R2
SPL2 = SPL1 − 20 log
R1

SPL2 = Noise level at distance r2

SPL1 = Noise level at distance r1

Example : Noise level is 90 dB (SPL1) at 1 meter (r1). Calculate

noise level (SPL2) at distance 2 meter (r2)?

2
SPL2 = 90 – 20 log10 ( )
1
= 83.97dB

*SPL = Sound Pressure Level

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 39
Distance

No. Type of Noise Type of Work Area/ Description of Recommendation

Engineering Machine
Control
3. Distance Almost all the The use of approximation theory of
machine and distance
workplace

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 40

Silencer

• Silencers or mufflers can be classified into two fundamental

groups :
• Dissipative (sometimes also called absorptive)- governed primarily
by the presence of sound absorbing material that dissipates
acoustic energy.

• Reactive - governed primarily by its internal configuration and

reduction of flow velocity by abrupt changes in shape and
resonance of added branches or cavities to a pipe or duct.

• They are made to reduce noise while permitting the flow of

air or gas.
• Absorptive silencers contain porous or fibrous material and
use absorption to reduce noise.

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 41

Silencer
• The basic mechanism for reactive silencers is expansion or
reflection of sound waves, leading to noise cancellation.

• The length of the and the diameters of the chamber and

opening determines the frequency and level of attenuation
respectively by using insulation principles

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 42

Absorptive Silencer

Source : Guidelines for Control of Occupational Noise 2005, DOSH

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 43

Silencer
No. Type of Noise Type of Work Area/ Description of Recommendation
Engineering Machine
Control
4. Silencer Pneumatic Almost invariably it is possible to reduce
cylinders, valves, pneumatic exhaust noise permanently
pumps, pressure by 10 – 30dB by fitting effective silencers
release valves,
Cooling drying
blowing, cleaning
component
ejection, etc.

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 44

Vibration Isolation

• Machinery noise is created by a vibrating source coupling to

a large radiating surface.
• When possible, large radiating surface should be detached
from vibrating sources.
• Reinforcing the floor structure to provide a stiffer solid base,
or mounting the machine on pillars founded directly in the
ground

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 45

Vibration Isolation

• Isolation of vibrating machines from floors or room

from vibrating floors
• By mounting vibration sources on flexible supports
• spring used for heavy machinery
• rubber, cork, expanded polystyrene used for light
structures

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 46

Vibration Isolation

• Vibration suppression or reduction is generally

accomplished by the installation of vibration
mounts that combine the properties of resilience
and vibration damping to provide two
fundamental mechanisms for control:
1. Dissipation and reduction of vibrational energy
generated within the system by conversion of that
energy into heat.
2. Mechanical decoupling or removing the vibration
paths of the system its mounting structure and floor.

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 47

Vibration Isolation

Source : Guidelines for Control of Occupational Noise 2005, DOSH

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 48

Vibration Isolation
No. Type of Noise Type of Work Area/ Description of Recommendation
Engineering Machine
Control
5. Vibration Chutes, hoppers, Provided the coupling alignment is not a
Isolation machine guards, problem (if it is, then you can fit a ladder frame
panels, conveyors, to maintain alignment). fitting AV pads under
Power Press, Motor- the motor and pump typically reduces the
pump units, etc. radiated noise by 10dB or more.

The press frame was isolated from the

fabricated legs by inserting 6mm composite
pads between frame and legs as shown in the
photograph. This reduce the operator noise
level by 9dB(A)

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 49

Damping

• If a panel is set into vibration, the level of vibration,

hence noise level will diminish with time
• Reducing the amplitude of vibration reduces
resonance peaks hence reducing the noise
radiated
• Stiffening the vibrating surfaces with metal, spray-
on damping material, hardboard.
• By fastening a disc of rubber damping material to
the blade with a stiff disc during sharpening, both
mass and damping is increased, thereby reducing
amplification of the resonances.

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 50

Damping Method

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 51

Damping Method

Source : Guidelines for Control of Occupational Noise 2005, DOSH

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 52

Damping Method
No. Type of Noise Type of Work Area/ Description of Recommendation
Engineering Machine
Control
6. Damping Machine feet, motors, A soft compressible sheet of rubber was glued
pumps, bolting to the flywheel of the press. The noise levels
sources to steel were reduced by 2dB to 86dB.
beams or mezzanine
floors etc.

The pipes and cyclones were covered with a

self-adhesive pitch-based damping sheet to
eliminate the ringing. Noise was reduced by at
least 6dB

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 53

Rule of Thumb to Propose Noise
Engineering Control

• Identify type of noise and the dominant frequency of

noise source (low or high frequency)
• Investigate the dominant source of noise generated
(Background, vibration etc.)
• Perform the “In Situ trial and error” control based on
the Principles of Noise Engineering Control (A,I,D,S,V,D)
• Proposed the most reliable and as far as practicable
the Principles of Noise Engineering Control (A,I,D,S,V,D)
in the Noise Risk Assessment Report.

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 54

Case Study 1
(Absorption and Insulation Method)

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 55

Case Study 2 (Absorption and Silencer)

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 56

Case Study 3
(Vibration Isolation and Damping)

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 57

Case Study 4

• The Problem - A reciprocating air compressor has been in use

for several years, both in a workshop and in mobile noise
control demonstrations. Noise levels measured 94dB at 1m and
clearly noise reduction was required.
• Recommendation of The Solution - The noise reductions were all
through maintenance. Initial work involved improving the valve
seating. The old valves were observed to have a rough surface
and to seal poorly to the casing. New valves were purchased
and observed to be similarly rough. These were then dressed
(polished) to achieve a much-improved seal. An oil additive
(molybdenum disulphide) was added to the lubricating oil to
“smooth out” the surface nish in the cylinder, thus helping to
cushion “piston slap”.
• Expected Results - The average reverberant noise level was
reduced by 6dB to 87dB and the operators’ noise exposures
were reduced by 4dB.
© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 58
 Exposure Reduction

• Administrative Control
• Personal Hearing Protectors (PHP)
© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 59
Administrative Control

• Administration control is defined as administrative methods or

approaches that reduce exposure of workers to noise.
• Where engineering control measures solely is not practicable to
comply with the NEL specified in the Occupational Safety and
Health (Noise Exposure) Regulations 2019
• These measures may include:
• Rescheduling of noisy operation – organising schedules so that noisy
machines are operated during shifts when fewer workers present.
• Distance
• Providing quite areas for short rest break – worker can relief from
occupational noise.
• Education/awareness
• Safe work practices
• Job rotation
© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 60
Daily Exposure Duration Limit
– ICOP Table 8.1
HOW?
Job rotation Scheduling rosters

NOISE LEVEL DAILY EXPOSURE

dB(A) DURATION LIMIT
82 16 hrs
83 12 hrs 42 mins Distance Quiet areas
84 10 hrs 5 mins
85 8 hrs
86 6 hrs 21 mins
87 5 hrs 2 mins
88 4 hrs
89 3 hrs 10 mins
90 2 hrs 31 mins
91 2 hrs
92 1 hr 35 mins
93 1 hr 16 mins
94 1 hr
95 48 mins © 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 61
Hearing Protection

• Personal Hearing Protectors (PHP) that are

approved by Director General DOSH.
• Earmuff
• Enclosing the earlobes
• Suitable for low frequency noise
• Earplugs
• Sealing the ear canal
• Suitable for medium frequency noise

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 62

Personal Hearing Protectors (PHP)

Disposable earplug Earplug Earmuff

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 63

Personal Hearing Protectors (PHP)

• The Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) describes the average

sound level reduction (attenuation) provided by a Personal
Hearing Protectors (PHP) in a laboratory test.

• 2 types of protection namely as:

• Single Protection
• Dual Protection

• Since the NRR is based on laboratory testing, it does not take

into account the loss of protection that occurs when hearing
protectors are not fit properly or when they are not worn for
the entire time that the wearer is exposed to noise.

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 64

Selection of PHP

• The employer shall provide PHP that are approved by Director

General.

• The employer shall ensure :

• Provide full information on the attenuation values.
• Provide employee with reliable adequate protection.

• Criteria for selecting PHP:

• Worker’s noise exposure level.
• Hearing ability of the worker.
• Use of other protective equipment.
• Temperature and climate.
• Communication demand.
• Physical constraint of worker activities.

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 65

SINGLE PROTECTION of PHP

• Dual Protection is the condition when only ear

muffs or ear plugs are used.
• Steps to establish the “Single Protected”
1. Subtract 7 dB from the NRR if noise is measured on the
A- weighted decibel scale dB(A).
(Skip this step if noise is measured on the C-weighted dB scale)

2. Divide the result of step 1 (NRR - 7) by 2. This is known as

“derating factor”.

(𝑵𝑹𝑹 − 𝟕)
𝑵𝑹𝑹𝑨𝑪𝑻𝑼𝑨𝑳 = 𝒅𝑩(𝑨)
𝟐

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 66

Example Of Single Protection Of PHP

A worker exposed to daily noise exposure level, LEX,8H = 93

dB(A) and given an ear plug with the NRR = 29dB(A).
Calculate the NRRACTUAL and the new estimated noise
exposure after wearing the PHP.
• Solution
• Subtract 7dB from the NRR: 29 dB – 7 dB = 22 dB(A)
• Divide by 2: 22 dB(A) / 2 = 11dB(A)
• The NRRACTUAL = 11 dB(A)
• Subtract 11 dB from the 8-hour TWA noise exposure:
• 93 dB(A) – 11 dB(A) = 82 dB(A)
• Therefore the estimated noise exposure after wearing the
PHP is 82dB(A).
© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 67
DUAL PROTECTION of PHP

• Dual Protection is the condition when the ear muffs and plugs
are used simultaneously.
• Steps to establish the “Dual Protected”
1. Select the NRR for the higher rated protector. (NRRh)
2. To obtain field-adjusted NRR, subtract 7 dB from NRRh, if using
A-weighted sound pressure level data.
3. Add 5 dB the field-adjusted NRR to account for the use of the
second hearing protector.
4. Subtract the remainder of step (3) from the LEX,8H as follows:

Estimated Exposure, dB(A)

= LEX,8H dB(A) – [(NRRh – 7) + 5]

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 68

Example Of Dual Protection Of PHP

• Given : the LEX,8H = 110 dB(A)

• Ear plug NRR = 29 dB (A)
• Ear muff NRR = 25 dB (A)

Calculate the estimated exposure:

Solution:
Estimated Exposure, dB(A)
= LEX,8H dB(A) – [(NRRh – 7) + 5]
Estimated Exposure = 110 – [(29 – 7) + 5)
= 83 dB(A)

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 69

Hearing Protection Zone

• Areas where persons may be permanently

exposed to noise levels exceeding the NEL shall
be sign-posted as 'HEARING PROTECTION ZONES’,
and so far as practicable their boundaries shall be
clearly demarcated and identified by means of
an appropriate warning sign.
• No person shall enter a hearing protection zone
during normal operation, unless wearing
appropriate PHP.

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 70

Hearing Protection Zone

• Situations where sign-posting is not practicable,

methods of achieving this include, but not limited
to:
a) attaching prominent warning notices to tools and
equipment indicating that PHP must be worn when
operating them;
b) providing written and verbal instructions on how to
recognize circumstances in which PHP are needed;
and
c) effective supervision of identified hearing protection
zones.

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 71

Proper Way of Wearing PHP

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 72

Inspection, Maintenance and Training
on PHP

• Employers shall ensure that PHP are regularly inspected,

maintained, and readily made available.
• Employees shall also inspect PHP regularly to detect, and
report damage or deterioration.
• Adequate provision shall be made for clean storage of PHP
when not in use.
• Before PHP are issued, the need for their use shall be fully
explained.
• Employer shall provide information and training to the
employees on the use, fitting, care and maintenance of
hearing protectors at least once a year.

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 73

Conclusion

• Excessive exposure to noise can cause loss of

hearing.
• Engineering noise control can successfully
eliminate/ reduce the excessive noise levels.
• Effective control of noise in the workplace through
pro active approach has obvious benefits for the
employees in term of better health and quality of
life at present and in future.
• Attitude – new mindset (Do not purely rely on PHP)

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 74

Any Questions?

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 75

THANK YOU

© 2019 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. 76