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Workplace noise exposure control - What are the costs and benefits?
recent experience and an extensive literature search. This has produced a greater understanding of the effect of factors such as the presence of the sun in the observer's view, and the problems of designing a filter to cater for a variety of illumination conditions. The need for additional work in defined areas is indicated.
Noise
headings: benefits of noise exposure regulations, cost of noise exposure control, and economic impact. The history of OSHA noise exposure regulations is reviewed. Depending on the definition of hearing impairment, the proposed reduction is estimated to protect an additional 30 000 workers workplace noise only being considered - or 293 000 workers - all causes of hearing impairment being taken into account. Costs are given for noise monitoring, audiometric testing, hearing protection and engineering controls.
9.3.28 (74077) Lafon, J.C. Hearing loss due to industrial noise (La Perte Auditive due au Bruit Industriel). (In French.) Archives de Maladies Professionnelles, Jan/Feb 1977, 3 8 . 1 - 2 , 1-48. Abstr in: CIS Abstracts (CIS 77-1585). Report from the University Occupational Health Institute, Lyon, to the 14th National Symposium on Occupational Medicine (Lyon, France, 9 - 1 2 June 1976). Based on 20 years' experience and, since 1974, research in collaboration with (and with the financial aid of) the French National Research and Safety Institute (INRS), it is a critical contribution to the study of the effect of noise on man. Aspects dealt with: the ear and noise (effect of noise, reception of vibrations, auditory mechanics, explanatory theories); noise and sound (noise environment, sound measurement and audiometry); audiometry (puretone, speech, screening; mobile audiometric unit) and types of deafness; clinical aspects of occupational deafness (development of deafness, habituation, role of middle ear, morbidity and occupational deafness, differential diagnosis, ageing, auditory fatigue, vestibular lesions); role of statistical data. A new formula for calculating hearing losses is proposed. 9.3.29 (74086) Bruce, R.D. et al Workplace noise exposure control What are the costs and benefits? Sound and Vibration, Sep 1976, 10.9, 1 2 - 1 8 . Abstr in: CIS Abstracts (CIS 77-977). This article summarises Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc Report No 3246 Economic Impact Analysis of Proposed Noise Control Regulation (Apr 1976), prepared for the United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. " I ~ study concentrates on workplace noise levels between 85 and 90 dB(A). It presents the costs of and benefits to be derived from a reduction of the present regulatory limit of 90 dB(A) to 85 dB(A), and the workforce involved. The results are reported under the
Specialised and protective clothing and equipment 9.3.30 (74139) McManus, L.R., Durand, P.E., and Claus, W.D. Development of a one-piece infantry helmet. Technical Report. Jan 1976, 48 pp. Abstr in: Government Reports Announcements (Report No AD-A038 766/2GA). The Army Material Development and Readiness Command interlaboratory helmet development programme is outlined, and the steps taken to develop a new infantry helmet are reported. The results of steadies ranging from anthropometry to wearability were synthesized into a military helmet design. Studies included a mathematical sizing model, human factors compatibility evaluations, heat transfer and transient deformation measurements, suspension system designs, and ballistic materials investigations. The resulting three size one-piece ballistic helmet offers significantly improved protection, fit, comfort, and stability over the standard M-1 helmet and nylon liner.
9.3.31 (74140)
Purswell, J.L., and Dorris, A.L. Auditory and biomechanical performance requirements for motorcycle helmets. Gateways to the Future; In: Proceedings of the 21st Annual Meeting of the Human Factors Society, San Fransisco, California, October 1 7 - 2 0 , 1977. pp 2 2 6 - 2 3 0 . The purpose of this paper is to examine some of the problems presented by the wearing of a helmet in the sensing of information necessary for safe operation of a motorcycle. The paper is organized into three major areas. One area is concerned with a laboratory study of simulated motorcycle operation and the sensing of sirens and horns of m o t o r vehicles at
various distances for subjects wearing helmets and subjects who served as control that wore no helmets. The second study reported is a parallel to the laboratory study but it was conducted in an outdoor setting. The third area considered is a biomechanical analysis of the head and neck of a motorcyclist who sustains a blow to the head in an accident. The independent variables investigated in the two studies of auditory sensing were the type of helmet worn, the type of auditory information being presented to the subject, and the direction from which the auditory signal was presented to the subject. A motorcycle helmet with a full face shield and one without a full face shield were compared with a control level of a subject wearing no helmet. A warning siren and a m o t o r vehicle horn were the two types of auditory signals presented to the subjects. The four directions of presentation of the auditory signal were front, rear, left and right. Both of these tests of the ability of the motorcyclist to detect the two auditory signals indicated that the helmet did significantly attenuate the signal and that the emergency vehicle siren or horn would have to be dangerously close to the cyclist before it could be heard compared with the cyclist under the same conditions who was not wearing a helmet. The alleged problem of motorcycle helmets producing injuries to the cervical spine in certain types of impact situations was analysed from a biomechanical standpoint. Some helmet designs were found to be capable of producing an injury to the neck for certain crash configurations between the helmet and a solid object. Suggestions are presented for modification of helmet design to reduce significantly the injury potential of the helmet for this type of injury, while at the same time protect the head from other types of injury. 9.3.32 (74153) Pritchard, J.A. A guide to industrial respiratory protection. National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio, HEW Publication No (NIOSH) 76-189, Jun 1976, 157 pp. Abstr in: CIS Abstracts (CIS 77-1115). This profusely illustrated report, intended primarily for the occupational safety and health profession, groups together in a single document current technical guidelines for industrial respiratory protection programmes meeting the requirements of the US Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). A general description of the physiology of the respiratory system and respiration is followed by chapters
Applied Ergonomics September1978
183
Noise
headings: benefits of noise exposure regulations, cost of noise exposure control, and economic impact. The history of OSHA noise exposure regulations is reviewed. Depending on the definition of hearing impairment, the proposed reduction is estimated to protect an additional 30 000 workers workplace noise only being considered - or 293 000 workers - all causes of hearing impairment being taken into account. Costs are given for noise monitoring, audiometric testing, hearing protection and engineering controls.
9.3.28 (74077) Lafon, J.C. Hearing loss due to industrial noise (La Perte Auditive due au Bruit Industriel). (In French.) Archives de Maladies Professionnelles, Jan/Feb 1977, 3 8 . 1 - 2 , 1-48. Abstr in: CIS Abstracts (CIS 77-1585). Report from the University Occupational Health Institute, Lyon, to the 14th National Symposium on Occupational Medicine (Lyon, France, 9 - 1 2 June 1976). Based on 20 years' experience and, since 1974, research in collaboration with (and with the financial aid of) the French National Research and Safety Institute (INRS), it is a critical contribution to the study of the effect of noise on man. Aspects dealt with: the ear and noise (effect of noise, reception of vibrations, auditory mechanics, explanatory theories); noise and sound (noise environment, sound measurement and audiometry); audiometry (puretone, speech, screening; mobile audiometric unit) and types of deafness; clinical aspects of occupational deafness (development of deafness, habituation, role of middle ear, morbidity and occupational deafness, differential diagnosis, ageing, auditory fatigue, vestibular lesions); role of statistical data. A new formula for calculating hearing losses is proposed. 9.3.29 (74086) Bruce, R.D. et al Workplace noise exposure control What are the costs and benefits? Sound and Vibration, Sep 1976, 10.9, 1 2 - 1 8 . Abstr in: CIS Abstracts (CIS 77-977). This article summarises Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc Report No 3246 Economic Impact Analysis of Proposed Noise Control Regulation (Apr 1976), prepared for the United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. " I ~ study concentrates on workplace noise levels between 85 and 90 dB(A). It presents the costs of and benefits to be derived from a reduction of the present regulatory limit of 90 dB(A) to 85 dB(A), and the workforce involved. The results are reported under the
Specialised and protective clothing and equipment 9.3.30 (74139) McManus, L.R., Durand, P.E., and Claus, W.D. Development of a one-piece infantry helmet. Technical Report. Jan 1976, 48 pp. Abstr in: Government Reports Announcements (Report No AD-A038 766/2GA). The Army Material Development and Readiness Command interlaboratory helmet development programme is outlined, and the steps taken to develop a new infantry helmet are reported. The results of steadies ranging from anthropometry to wearability were synthesized into a military helmet design. Studies included a mathematical sizing model, human factors compatibility evaluations, heat transfer and transient deformation measurements, suspension system designs, and ballistic materials investigations. The resulting three size one-piece ballistic helmet offers significantly improved protection, fit, comfort, and stability over the standard M-1 helmet and nylon liner.
9.3.31 (74140)
Purswell, J.L., and Dorris, A.L. Auditory and biomechanical performance requirements for motorcycle helmets. Gateways to the Future; In: Proceedings of the 21st Annual Meeting of the Human Factors Society, San Fransisco, California, October 1 7 - 2 0 , 1977. pp 2 2 6 - 2 3 0 . The purpose of this paper is to examine some of the problems presented by the wearing of a helmet in the sensing of information necessary for safe operation of a motorcycle. The paper is organized into three major areas. One area is concerned with a laboratory study of simulated motorcycle operation and the sensing of sirens and horns of m o t o r vehicles at
various distances for subjects wearing helmets and subjects who served as control that wore no helmets. The second study reported is a parallel to the laboratory study but it was conducted in an outdoor setting. The third area considered is a biomechanical analysis of the head and neck of a motorcyclist who sustains a blow to the head in an accident. The independent variables investigated in the two studies of auditory sensing were the type of helmet worn, the type of auditory information being presented to the subject, and the direction from which the auditory signal was presented to the subject. A motorcycle helmet with a full face shield and one without a full face shield were compared with a control level of a subject wearing no helmet. A warning siren and a m o t o r vehicle horn were the two types of auditory signals presented to the subjects. The four directions of presentation of the auditory signal were front, rear, left and right. Both of these tests of the ability of the motorcyclist to detect the two auditory signals indicated that the helmet did significantly attenuate the signal and that the emergency vehicle siren or horn would have to be dangerously close to the cyclist before it could be heard compared with the cyclist under the same conditions who was not wearing a helmet. The alleged problem of motorcycle helmets producing injuries to the cervical spine in certain types of impact situations was analysed from a biomechanical standpoint. Some helmet designs were found to be capable of producing an injury to the neck for certain crash configurations between the helmet and a solid object. Suggestions are presented for modification of helmet design to reduce significantly the injury potential of the helmet for this type of injury, while at the same time protect the head from other types of injury. 9.3.32 (74153) Pritchard, J.A. A guide to industrial respiratory protection. National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio, HEW Publication No (NIOSH) 76-189, Jun 1976, 157 pp. Abstr in: CIS Abstracts (CIS 77-1115). This profusely illustrated report, intended primarily for the occupational safety and health profession, groups together in a single document current technical guidelines for industrial respiratory protection programmes meeting the requirements of the US Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). A general description of the physiology of the respiratory system and respiration is followed by chapters
Applied Ergonomics September1978
183