Noise Risk Assessment (NRA) for Prevention of ONRHD

A noise risk assessment (NRA) is a systematic process used to identify, evaluate, and manage noise hazards in the workplace according to the Occupational Safety and Health (Noise Exposure) Regulations 2019. It aims to protect employees from the harmful effects of excessive noise exposure by determining if noise levels exceed legal limits and require control measures.

This assessment is crucial for compliance with occupational safety and health regulations and forms a core component of a Hearing Conservation Program (HCP), which aims to minimize noise hazards and prevent noise-induced hearing loss among workers.

It should be noted that, as reported by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), occupational noise-related hearing disorder (ONRHD) cases in Malaysia are on the rise.

What is Noise Risk Assessment (NRA) at the Workplace?

Noise Risk Assessment (NRA) is a critical process designed to evaluate and manage noise hazards in the workplace, ensuring compliance with occupational safety standards and protecting employees’ hearing health.

This assessment aims to identify sources of excessive noise, evaluate the risk levels, and implement effective control measures to minimize exposure.

The process involves systematically collecting and analyzing data on noise levels and exposure patterns, which is essential for developing strategies to prevent Occupational Noise-Related Hearing Disorders (ONRHD).

The NRA serves several purposes:

  1. Identification of Noise Hazards – It identifies areas and processes where noise levels exceed acceptable limits, highlighting potential risks to employees’ hearing.
  2. Evaluation of Exposure Levels – The assessment measures the extent and duration of noise exposure to determine if it poses a health risk to employees.
  3. Implementation of Controls – Based on the assessment findings, suitable noise control measures are implemented, such as engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
  4. Compliance with Regulations – The NRA ensures that the workplace complies with the Occupational Safety and Health (Noise Exposure) Regulations 2019, helping to avoid legal liabilities and penalties.
  5. Continuous Monitoring and Improvement – Regular noise assessments are conducted to monitor the effectiveness of implemented controls and identify opportunities for further noise reduction.

A well-executed NRA forms the foundation of an effective Hearing Conservation Program (HCP), which protects employees from the harmful effects of excessive noise exposure and contributes to a safer work environment.

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How is Noise Risk Assessment (NRA) Conducted?

The noise risk assessment (NRA) is conducted in accordance with the principles outlined in the code of practices established by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), specifically the “Industry Code of Practice for Management of Occupational Noise Exposure and Hearing Conservation 2019“.

Below are the steps or methodologies taken for the noise risk assessment.

Acquire Initial Information
Before our noise risk assessor visits your site, we will need certain information about your workplace, including:

  • The location of the noise source (e.g., offshore, onshore).
  • The work area or plant layout related to the noise source.
  • The time at which the work activity is conducted (e.g., daytime or nighttime).
  • The number of employees involved.
  • A copy of any previous NRA report (if available).

Identify Similar Exposure Groups (SEGs)
We will categorize your employees into groups based on their tasks, job functions, and areas with similar noise exposure levels. This categorization helps target specific groups for personal monitoring and noise control measures.

Select Appropriate Instruments
It is essential for us to select the right sound measurement instruments, such as sound level meters and noise dosimeters, ensuring they meet international standards for accuracy and reliability.

On the day of the assessment, ensure that all workers involved in the noise risk assessment are present. These personnel will receive a briefing on the assessment procedures to ensure that the data obtained is accurate.

Firstly, our noise risk assessor will measure noise levels in different areas and at various times to capture the full range of exposure, taking into consideration factors such as steady, fluctuating, and impulse noise during data collection.

Afterward, we will equip employees in high-risk Similar Exposure Groups (SEGs) with personal noise dosimeters to gather data on individual exposure levels throughout their work shifts..

The collected data will be evaluated to identify patterns and determine the extent of noise exposure. Compare the findings against regulatory limits and guidelines to assess compliance.

Consequently, we will determine the potential health risks associated with identified noise levels and prioritize areas requiring immediate intervention.

We will compile a comprehensive report detailing the assessment process, findings, and recommendations. The report will include process descriptions, instrumentation used, measurement results, and suggested control measures.

The first draft of the report will be shared and presented to highlight the findings of the assessment. During the presentation session, key stakeholders, including management, supervisors, and affected workers, must be present.

Finally, we will share the hardcopy of the assessment report with your organization and relevant authorities to ensure transparency and facilitate informed decision-making.

When excessive noise levels are found in the work area, our noise risk assessor may provide recommendations that include, but are not limited to:

  1. Engineering Controls – Implement physical modifications to equipment or processes to reduce noise at the source, such as installing noise barriers or upgrading machinery.
  2. Administrative Controls – Adjust work practices and schedules to minimize exposure, such as rotating employees or limiting time spent in high-noise areas.
  3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Provide employees with suitable hearing protection devices and ensure they are used correctly.

It is your responsibility to ensure that all control measures are implemented and monitored effectively to reduce noise exposure risk to affected employees.

Your organization should conduct regular reviews of the noise risk assessment to evaluate the effectiveness of implemented controls and identify areas for improvement.

A worker is exposed to noise risk and wearing personal hearing protection.
An illustration of a worker exposed to noise risk at the workplace.

What are Included in the Noise Risk Assessment (NRA) Report?

The noise risk assessment (NRA) report will be divided into several main sections, each containing core elements essential to the assessment as per outlined by Appendix 2 – Guidelines on Noise Risk Assessment Report Writing of the ICOP.

The front page of the report should serve as the title page and contain the following information:

  1. Form A – Employer’s comfirmation that assessment has been conducted and report has been presented by NRA.
  2. Type of assessment: initial / review
  3. Name, address and DOSH registration number of the workplace;
  4. Name and registration number of the NRA;
  5. Date of assessment.

This section summarizes the key findings and recommendations from the noise risk assessment. It provides a concise overview of the assessment’s objectives, methodologies, and results.

The executive summary highlights significant noise hazards identified in the workplace and outlines the proposed control measures to mitigate these risks. It also includes an evaluation of the current compliance status with regulatory standards and emphasizes the importance of implementing recommended actions to protect employees from occupational noise-related hearing disorders (ONRHD).

This section serves as a high-level synopsis for stakeholders, enabling informed decision-making and prioritization of noise management strategies.

This section outlines the necessary information for conducting a Noise Risk Assessment:

Workplace Details:

  1. Official name of the workplace.
  2. Full address of the location.
  3. Workplace’s Department of Occupational Safety and Health registration number.

Assessment Details:

  1. Date of Assessment.
  2. Assessor’s name and certification details.
  3. Purpose of the Assessment.

Objective

The objectives stated will be aligned with the purpose to identify and mitigate noise risks effectively.

This section provides a detailed overview of the workplace process flowchart and a description of the specific work activities that are the focus of the assessment. The process flowchart visually represents the sequence of operations, highlighting key stages where noise exposure may occur.

The description of work activities includes information about the tasks performed, the machinery and equipment used, and the environmental conditions present in the work areas.

This context is crucial for understanding how noise is generated and propagated within the workplace, enabling the identification of critical points for intervention and noise reduction strategies.

This section lists down all the noise measuring equipment used, serial number including their calibration validity period.

This section provides an overview of the procedures for both area and personal monitoring during the noise risk assessment:

Area Monitoring

  1. Determination of noise sources and sampling method;
  2. Noise mapping (zoning);
  3. Type of noise (steady, impulse, fluctuate etc.).

Personal Monitoring

  1. Identify of all employees in the workplace according to job classification;
  2. Identification of SEG and justify SEG classification;
  3. selection of employee from each SEG for assessment and justification;
  4. Number of employees monitored and justification;
  5. Personal monitoring procedures;
  6. Sampling duration;
  7. Working hours and number of shift;
  8. Type of exposure (steady, impulse, fluctuate etc.);
  9. Equipment setting.

The results section presents the monitoring data in tabular form.

Area Monitoring
The results of area monitoring should be organized in tables based on each working area. Additionally, noise mapping should be used to illustrate the findings, with color-coded zones to highlight different noise levels.

Sound Pressure Level Table
Sound Pressure Level Colour Zone
> 140 dB(C) Purple
> 115 dB(A) Purple
> 85 dB(A) to 115 dB(A) Red
> 82 dB(A) to 85 dB(A) Yellow
≤ 82 dB(A) White

Personal Monitoring
The results of personal monitoring should be tabulated according to Similar Exposure Groups (SEGs).

The discussion section presents the relevant justification and key points of discussion for the noise risk assessment. It may include the following elements:

  1. Existing control measures, if any;
  2. Comment on noise mapping;
  3. Comment on any result exceeding or below than excessive noise and NEL
  4. (Maximum Level, Peak and Daily Noise Exposure Level);
  5. Contribution factors for result exceeding or below than excessive noise, and
  6. NEL (Maximum Level, Peak and Daily Noise Exposure Level).

The recommendation section outlines the essential actions your organization should take following the noise risk assessment. Our noise risk assessor will consider the following:

Recommendations Presentation

  1. Recommendations will be presented in Table A4 and will be specific to each Similar Exposure Group’s (SEG) area of work. For example:
  2. Describe specific engineering control methods based on principles such as absorption, insulation, damping, silencers, and vibration isolation.
  3. Specify the required Noise Reduction Rating for personal hearing protectors (PHP).
  4. Define the daily exposure duration limits for employee job rotation.

Regulatory Compliance

Recommendations will also include other regulatory compliance provisions, such as:

  1. Ensure that employees are placed on an audiometric testing program.
  2. Ensure that employees are given information, instruction and training on hearing conservation program (HCP);
  3. Ensure that areas are posted with warning signs (HEARING PROTECTION ZONES) and the requirement to wear PHP.

The conclusion section provides a summary of the overall assessment, highlighting the key findings.

This section displays the name, registration number and signature of the registered Noise Risk Assessor.

The appendix section will include the following items, but is not limited to:

  1. Process flowchart;
  2. Layout plan for machinery and employees;
  3. Noise mapping;
  4. Data sheet and calculation;
  5. Computer print-out detail results of measurement;
  6. A latest copy of instrumentation calibration certificate;
  7. A copy of NRA certificate.

What are the Benefits of NRA to the Organization

Conducting a noise risk assessment (NRA) at the workplace offers numerous advantages. Among the benefits of conducting NRA at the workplace are:

1. Identification of Noise Hazards
Conducting a noise risk assessment helps identify areas and processes where noise levels exceed acceptable limits. This allows employers to pinpoint specific sources of excessive noise and take targeted actions to address them, reducing the potential risk to employees’ hearing health.

2. Protection Against Occupational Noise-Related Hearing Disorders (ONRHD)
By evaluating noise exposure levels and implementing appropriate controls, a noise risk assessment helps prevent occupational noise-related hearing disorders, such as noise-induced hearing loss. This is critical for maintaining employees’ overall health and well-being.

3. Regulatory Compliance
Conducting a noise risk assessment ensures that the workplace complies with the Occupational Safety and Health (Noise Exposure) Regulations 2019. Compliance helps avoid legal liabilities and penalties, providing a safer work environment for employees.

4. Improved Workplace Safety and Productivity
Implementing noise control measures identified through a risk assessment can enhance overall workplace safety, leading to improved productivity. Employees are likely to be more focused and efficient when working in environments with lower noise levels, reducing the likelihood of accidents and errors.

5. Informed Decision-Making
A noise risk assessment provides valuable data and insights that inform decision-making related to noise management and control strategies. Employers can make informed decisions about resource allocation and prioritize actions to reduce noise exposure effectively.

Noise Risk Assessment (NRA) FAQ

The primary purpose of a Noise Risk Assessment is to identify and evaluate noise hazards in the workplace to protect employees from occupational noise-related hearing disorders (ONRHD).

The assessment helps determine whether noise levels exceed acceptable limits and identifies the need for implementing control measures to reduce noise exposure. This process ensures compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health (Noise Exposure) Regulations 2019 and promotes a safer working environment.

A Hearing Conservation Program (HCP) includes several key components to effectively manage noise exposure in the workplace. These components are:

  1. Noise Risk Assessment – Identifying noise hazards and evaluating risk levels.
  2. Noise Reduction Measures – Implementing engineering and administrative controls, as well as personal hearing protectors (PHP), to minimize exposure.
  3. Audiometric Testing – Conducting regular hearing tests to detect early signs of noise-induced hearing loss.
  4. Training and Education – Educating employees about noise hazards and safe work practices.
  5. Recordkeeping – Maintaining detailed records of noise assessments, control measures, and audiometric testing results.

Noise Risk Assessments should be conducted at least once every five years or more frequently if there are changes in the workplace that could affect noise levels, such as the introduction of new equipment or processes.

Additionally, assessments should be reviewed and updated whenever there are significant changes to the work environment, employee complaints about noise, or when new information about noise hazards becomes available.

Regular assessments ensure that noise control measures remain effective and that the workplace continues to comply with regulatory requirements.

References

  1. Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 1994.
  2. Occupational Safety and Health (Noise Exposure) Regulations 2019.
  3. Industry Code of Practice for Management of Occupational Noise Exposure and Hearing Conservation 2019.
  4. Guidelines On Management Of Occupational Noise-related Hearing Disorders 2021.