For millions of American workers, exposure to dangerous levels of noise is a daily fact of life. Over the last 20 years, government agencies have consistently identified noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) as one of the top concerns of workers. Some occupational and environmental health and safety experts even call noise the most pervasive hazard in the workplace. Yet occupational hearing loss is a particularly insidious hazard because it sneaks up on the worker.
According to researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), water well drillers are exposed to levels above 85dB (the threshold for potentially dangerous sound) while performing certain tasks during a typical drilling job. Consistent levels of this degree of exposure over an eight-hour work shift are hazardous and can lead to hearing loss.
Finding ways to reduce well-drilling noise exposures is difficult as the work environment is constantly changing because of job locations and environmental factors. Another factor is that the types of drill rigs required for drilling are expensive, and equipment can range from new to 30 years old or more.
Working Together on Prevention
Drillers and owners can work together to reduce exposure to hazardous noise using three methods. First, drill noise should be removed or dampened if possible. NIOSH has determined that the loudest noise producers on drill rigs include the compressor, engine, and cooling fan. Removing or reducing the noise source is ideal, but that process can be expensive and difficult.
The second method is less expensive but still somewhat difficult—move the worker away from the noise source. Although the set up of a drill rig requires the worker to operate close to the hole, the driller and helper can lower their exposure to hazardous noise levels by distancing themselves from the noisiest components whenever possible. Helpers are constantly moving equipment around the worksite, but if any workers are not required to be near the drill rod, compressor, engine, or cooling fan, they should move 6 to 12 feet away from these noise sources. Although this requires driller and helper to change the way they communicate with each other, the noise exposure for many of those on the worksite will be lowered.
While the first two methods may be difficult to complete because of worksite locations or equipment, the third method can be performed by both drillers and helpers. Workers need to be protected from hazardous noise through the use of personal hearing protection devices (HPDs), and owners can help by providing hearing loss training and HPDs to their workers regardless of the level of noise on the worksite. An environment can be considered noisy if workers must raise their voices to be heard by someone three to five feet away—an arm's length. If an employee notices a ringing sensation or dull, flat sound after leaving the worksite, he or she most likely worked in a hazardous noise environment and should consider wearing HPDs.
There are many types of HPDs available, but the best protector is the one the driller wears consistently (for noise levels above 85 dB) and correctly to get the most protection and noise reduction. Workers should also remember to clean their hands when they insert HPDs to avoid chemicals, dirt, and other irritants from getting into the ear canal. Finally, an HPD needs to be comfortable to ensure the worker is more likely to wear it. Owners should provide a variety of HPDs in different styles so workers can find the one that fits their ears comfortably.
HPDs take time to get used to just like any form of personal protective equipment, and while HPDs will lower noise exposure, they will not eliminate it. Nonetheless, consistent use of HPDs is essential in preventing noise-induced hearing loss.
When Should You Worry About Hearing Loss?
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communications Disorders, you may be suffering from hearing loss if you experience three or more of the following symptoms:
- You have problems hearing over the telephone.
- You have trouble following the conversation when two or more people talk at the same time.
- People often complain that you turn up the volume too high on the television or radio.
- You have to strain to understand conversation.
- You have trouble hearing in a noisy background.
- You often find yourself asking people to repeat themselves.
- Many people you talk to seem to mumble or speak unclearly.
- You misunderstand what others are saying and respond inappropriately.
- You have trouble understanding the speech of women and children. (Women and children typically speak in higher frequencies, which are the first frequencies to be affected by NIHL.)
- People get annoyed because you misunderstand what they say.
Getting drillers to care requires regular, consistent, and repeated messages about the danger of noise and the nature of hearing loss. Communication is not only essential to functioning on the job, it is essential to our human condition.
About the Author
As AIHA's director of scientific and technical initiatives, Latko is responsible for overseeing the association's 32 technical committees, aligning their output with the AIHA strategic plan, and significantly contributing to AIHA's strategic direction. She also takes the lead on building alliances with other OEHS organizations and in identifying emerging issues and trends that will impact the IH profession.
AIHA's Noise Committee is a group of experts committed to providing a forum for disseminating and exchanging ideas and information about the effects of exposure to noise and vibration, noise and vibration control, and methods of hearing conservation. To learn more about the committee, contact Committee Chair Mike McDaniel, MPH, CIH mcdaniel21@llnl.gov.
