Industrial Hygiene in the Brewery World- Hazardous Noise Case Study

While loud machinery may be the norm in the manufacturing, mining, and construction industries, it can be dangerous for employees. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention considers noise to be hazardous when it reaches 85 decibels or higher, or if a person has to raise their voice to speak with someone three feet away. Exposure to high noise levels may result in heightened physical and psychological stress as well as permanent hearing loss. Prevention is key to protecting your employees from potential harm.

Concerned that their employees were exposed to hazardous noise levels during manufacturing processes, a local brewery reached out to G2. To address their health and safety concerns, G2’s industrial hygienists performed noise dosimetry and area noise mapping analyses.

These processes involved using specialized equipment, including a dosimeter device and a sound level meter. Each of these devices are able to provide unique information about noise levels and exposure. The dosimeter is attached to a person’s collar and provides the average noise exposure to the employee during a work shift. The sound level meter identifies noise levels created by equipment and delivers a quick read on the current noise level in the workplace.

The dosimeter was placed on five employees from the local brewery to see how their measurements compared to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Action Level for occupational noise.

Check out the case study to see what G2 recommended based on the findings—including how to set the brewery and its employees up for better productivity, health, and safety.