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Health Hazard Assessment
Student’s Name
Institution Affiliation
Health Hazard Assessment
The workplace I have selected for my operation is a rock mining site affected by noise hazard. The primary cause of noise hazard in this environment is the rock drilling tool and the power supply generator.
1. Steps taken when performing health hazard assessment include:
• Identifying where there is high noise risk and the individuals with likely to be affected.
• Have a reliable approximation of the workers’ exposures, and relate them to the limit values and action values of exposure.
• Find out everything that you need to do by the law, for instance, whether hearing protection or noise control methods are required, and if so, what types and where.
• Identify any employee that needs to be equipped with health surveillance and whether the employees are at any specific risk (Ridley, 2008).
2. Use of PPE for Controlling Occupational Hazards Related to Noise
Personal preventive equipment, PPE, is equipment worn or used by an individual at work mainly to protect him/her from threats arising from noise. However, the use of PPE should be taken as the last option for noise control. The intensity of noise hazard is dependent on the exposure duration and the sound level. Sounds with very high levels are a threat. Personal preventive equipment used include canal caps/semi-insert, earmuffs, and earplugs. It is essential to provide workers with the right protectors for hearing and making sure that they can fit them.

Also, one should take PPE that reduce noise to levels that are acceptable and allow for communication and safety (Bell, 1994).
3. Evaluating Worker Exposure to Noise Risks
I would assess employee noise hazard exposure by studying already existing scientific writings and through analysis of retrieved papers in the workplace. Consultation would acquire my data through the internet of the regular books found in the databases such as ISI-web, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library and scientific papers (Domingo, 2016).
4. Reducing Noise Hazard Levels
Elimination/substitution: eliminating the noise source is the most effective method to minimize the risk to employees, and must be put into consideration when planning new workplaces or equipment. Low noise or no noise policy of procurement is considered the most cost-effective method to control or prevent noise.
Engineering Controls: noise control at its source or path ought to be the primary focus of managing noise, considering both the workplace and equipment design and maintenance. Engineering controls include isolation of noise source via enclosure, location, vibration dumping by air springs, or modification of machines through the use of belt drives instead of noisier gears, or even electrical in the place of pneumatic tools.
Administrative Control: when control of noise at the source is not possible, measures should be put in place to reduce employee exposure. They include changing the position of work- installing sound absorbing ceilings that significantly mitigate worker’s noise exposure, and work equipment installation- location of the equipment could reduce exposure of workers to noise.
Personal Protective Equipment: PEP such as earmuffs and earplugs should be taken as the last option after all noise elimination measures have been exhausted. The PPE used should be appropriate for the duration and type of noise, training on PPE should be administered, and PPE should fit with other equipment (Domingo, 2016).
5. Effectiveness of Chosen Control Methods
Employee Protection-this is the most effective method for both short and long-term higher risk situations. Includes implementing organizational and technical measures for noise control, making sure the right noise exposure levels are not surpassed, providing PEP for employees and making the use mandatory in high-risk scenarios.
Employee Training and Information- an effective long-term approach towards noise hazard control. Educates workers on how to keep safe from noise pollution. Employees are therefore able to maintain personal safety in the organization even without supervision (Bell, 1994).
References
Bell, L. H. (1994). DH bell,” Industrial Noise Control.
Domingo-Pueyo, A., Sanz-Valero, J., & Wanden-Berghe, C. (2016). Disorders induced by direct occupational exposure to noise: Systematic review. Noise & health, 18(84), 229.
Ridley, J., & Channing, J. (Eds.). (2008). Safety at work. Routledge.