This module continues the discussion of the health hazards that hazardous waste site and construction workers may encounter on the job.
Worker operating a walk-behind concrete saw
A walk-behind concrete saw can generate extremely high noise levels that may lead to hearing damage if proper precautions are not taken.
In this section, we’ll cover key occupational health hazards commonly found in construction, including:
- Excessive noise
- Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation
- Asbestos exposure
Excessive Noise
Each year, nearly 30 million workers in the United States are exposed to hazardous levels of noise in the workplace. According to OSHA, employers are required to implement a Hearing Conservation Program whenever employee exposure equals or exceeds an eight-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 85 decibels (dBA). A decibel (dB) is a unit used to measure the intensity of sound as perceived by the human ear.
Administrative or engineering controls must be implemented when noise levels exceed permissible exposure limits. For example, if workers are exposed to an average of 90 dBA over an 8-hour work shift, hearing protection measures must be in place.
To minimize noise exposure on the job site, employers and workers should:
- Limit the amount of time workers spend in high-noise areas.
- Rotate workers so that no one is exposed to more than 85 dBA on average during an 8-hour period.
- Turn off noisy machinery or tools when not in use.
- Regularly maintain equipment to ensure it operates smoothly and quietly.
- Train employees to safely perform tasks and operate equipment while maintaining safe noise levels.
- Use appropriate hearing protection, such as earplugs or earmuffs. To be effective, these devices must form an airtight seal in the ear canal. Improperly fitted, dirty, or worn-out plugs will not provide adequate protection and may cause irritation.