Schedule XXVII

OPERATIONS INVOLVING HIGH NOICE AND VIBRATION LEVELS

Part-A

High Noise Levels

1. Application:-

This Part of the schedule shall apply to all operations in any manufacturing

process having high noise level.

2. Definitions:-

For the purpose of this schedule -

(a) “Noise” means any unwanted sound;

(b) “High noise level” means any noise level measured on the A-weighted

scale is 85 dB or above;

(c) “Decibel” means one-tenthof “Bel” which is the fundamental divisions of

a logarithmic scale used to express the ratio of two specified or implied

quantities, the number of “Bels” denoting such a ratio being the

logarithm to the base the of 10 of this ratio. The noise level (or the

sound pressure level) 6 corresponds to a reference pressure of 20 x 10

Newton per square meter or 0.0002 dynes per square centimeter which

is the threshold of hearing, that is, the lowest sound pressure level

necessary to produce the sensation of hearing in average healthy

listeners. The decibel in abbreviated form is dB;

(d) “Frequency” is the rate of pressure variations expressed in cycles per

second or hertz;

(e) “dBA” refers to sound level in decibels as measured on a sound level

meter operating on the A-weighting net work with slow meter

response; and

(f) “A-weighting” means making graded adjustments in the intensities of

sound of various frequencies for the purpose of noise measurement, so

that the sound pressure level measured by an instrument reflects the

actual response of the human ear to the sound measured.

3. Protection against noise -

(1) In every factory, suitable engineering control or administrative measures

shall be taken to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that no worker

is exposed to sound levels exceeding the maximum permissible noise

exposure levels specified in Tables 1 and 2.

TABLE 1

PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE IN CASES OF CONTINUOUS NOISE.

Total time of exposure Sound of dBA per day,

(continuous or a number of in hours.

short-term exposures) pressure

level in or a number

8 90

6 92

4 95

3 97

2 100

1½ 102

1 105

¾ 107

½ 110

¼ 115

Explanation:-

(1) No exposure in excess of 110 dBA is to be permitted.

(2) For any period of exposure falling in between any figure and the next

higher or lower figure as indicated in column 1, the permissible sound

pressure level is to be determined by extrapolation on a proportionate

basis.

TABLE 2

PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LEVELS OF IMPULSIVE OR IMPACT NOISE.

Peak sound pressure Permitted number of

level in dB impulses or impact per

day.

140 100

135 315

130 1000

125 3160

120 10000

Explanations.-

1. Exposure in excess of 140 dB peak sound pressure levelis

permitted.

2. For any peak sound pressure level falling in between any figure

and the next higher or lower figure as indicated in column 1, the

permitted number of impulses or impacts per day is to be

determined by extrapolation on a proportionate basis.

(2) For the purposes of this part of the schedule, if the variations in the noise

level involve maximum at intervals of one second or less, the noise is to be

considered as a continuous one and the criteria given in Table 1 would

apply. In other cases, the noise is to be considered as impulsive or impact

noise and the criteria given in Table 2 would apply.

(3) When the daily noise exposure is composed of two or more periods of

noise exposure at different levels their combined effect should be

considered, rather than the individual effect of each. The mixed exposure

should be considered to exceed the limit value if the sum of the fractions.

C1+C2+ .................................... Cn

exceeds unit p-1 T1 T2 Tn

Where the C1, C2 etc. indicate the total time of actual exposure at a

specified noise level and T1, T2, etc. denote the time of exposure

permissible at that level. Noise exposure of less than 90 dBA may be

ignored in the above calculation.

(4) (a) Where it is not possible to reduce the noise exposure to the levels

specified in the Tables in sub–paragraph 1 of paragraph 3 by reasonably

practicable engineering control or administrative measures, the noise

exposure shall be reduced to the greatest extent feasible by such control

measures, and each worker so exposed shall be provided with suitable ear

protectors as per relevant National or International Standards so as to

reduce the exposure to noise to the levels specified in the Tables in sub-

paragraph 1 of paragraph 3.

(b) The Occupier shall provide personal hearing protectors to the workers.-

(i) So as to eliminate the risk to hearing or to reduce the risk to as low a

level as is reasonably practicable.

(ii) After consultation with the employees concerned or their representative.

(iii) Ensure the hearing protectors is full and properly fitted, periodically

checked for the effectiveness, used

(iv) and maintained in good working order and repair.

(v) ensure that workers are given periodical training in the use, care and

maintenance of the personal hearing protectors.

(5) Where the ear protectors provided in accordance with sub-paragraph 3 of

paragraph 4 and worn by a worker cannot Sill attenuate the noise reaching

near his ear, as determined by subtracting the attenuation value in dBA of

the ear protectors concerned from the measured sound pressure level, to a

level permissible under as the case may be, the noise exposure period

shall be suitably reduced to correspond to the permissible noise exposures

specified in the Tables in sub-paragraph 1 of paragraph 3.

(6) (a) In all cases where the prevailing sound levels exceed the permissible

levels specified in the Tables in sub-paragraph 1 of paragraph 3 there shall

be administered an effective hearing conservation program which shall

include among other hearing conservation measures, pre-employment and

periodical audit or surveys conducted on workers exposed to noise

exceeding the permissible levels, and rehabilitation of such workers either

by reducing the exposure to the noise levels or by transferring them to

places where noise levels are relatively less or by any other suitable

means.

(b) Every worker employed in areas where the noise exceeds the

maximum permissible exposure levels specified in the Tables in sub-

paragraph 1 of paragraph 3 shall be subjected to an auditory examination

by a Medical officer within 14 days of his first employment and thereafter,

shall be re-examined at least once in every 12 months. Such initial and

periodical examinations shall include tests which the Medical officer may

consider appropriate and shall include determination of auditory thresholds

for pure tones of 125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 and 8000 cycles per

second.

Part-B

High Vibration Levels

1. Applications:-

This Part of the Schedule shall apply to all operations in a manufacturing

part of the process having high undesired vibrations.

2. Definition -

(a) “daily exposure” means the quantity of mechanical vibration to which a

worker is exposed during a working day, which takes account of the

magnitude and duration of the vibration;

(b) “Vibration” means a mechanical phenomenon where by oscillations occur

about equilibrium point. The oscillations may be periodic or random;

(c) “high vibration” means any exposure greater than the exposure limit value

and action value specified in paragraph-3;

(d) “exposure action value” means the level of daily exposure set out in

paragraph-3 for any worker which, if reached or exceeded, requires

specified action to be taken to reduce risk;

(e) “exposure limit value” means the level of daily exposure for any worker

which must not be exceeded, as specified in paragraph-3;

(f) “hand-arm vibration” means mechanical vibration which is transmitted into

the hands are arms during a work activity as described in sub-paragraph-

(1) of paragraph 3 ;

(g) “mechanical vibration” means vibration occurring in a piece of machinery

or equipment or in a vehicle as a result of its operation; and

(h) “whole-body vibration” means mechanical vibration which is transmitted

into the body, when seated or standing, through the supporting surface,

during a work activity or as described in sub-paragraph-(2) of paragraph 3.

3. Exposure limit values and action values:-

(1) For hand-arm Vibration -

(a) The daily exposure limit value is 5m/s 2A(8);

(b) the daily exposure action value is 2.5 m/s2 A(8), and daily exposure shall

be ascertained on the basis set out in the relevant National/International

Standards specified in table 1 below.

(2) For whole body vibration -

(a) The daily exposure limit value is 1.15m/s 2A(8);

(b) the daily exposure action value is 0.5 m/s2 A(8), and daily exposure shall

be ascertained on the basis set out in the relevant National / International

Standards.

TABLE-1

The Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for exposure of the hand to

vibrationin X, Y or Z direction of axes in the three-dimensional system shall

be as given below:

Total Daily Exposure Duration (hours). Maximum value of frequency

weighted acceleration (m/s2) in any direction.

4 to less than 8 hours 4

2 to less than 4 hours 6

1 to less than 2 hours 8

Less than 1 hour 12

4. Assessment of vibration exposure shall be made for each applicable

direction (X, Y, Z) since vibration is a vector quantity (magnitude and

direction). In each direction, the magnitude of the vibration during normal

operation of the power tool, machine or work piece should be expressed by

the root-mean-square (RMS) value of the frequency - weighted component

acceleration, in units of meter per second squared (m/s2).

5. Assessment of risk to health due to vibration at the work Place:-

(1) An occupier who carries out work which is liable expose any worker from

vibration to shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risk

created by that work to the health and safety of those and the risk

assessment shall identify the control measures that need to be taken.

(2) The risk assessment should be reviewed when ever it is felt the changes in

the process makes the earlier risk assessment no longer valid.

6. Engineering Control measures:-

(1) The occupier shall ensure that risk from the exposure of workers to

vibration is either eliminated at source or, where this is not reasonably

practicable, reduced to as low a level as is reasonably practicable.

(2) Where it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate risk at source pursuant

to sub-paragraph 1 and an exposure action value is likely to be reached or

exceeded, the employer shall reduce exposure to as low a level as is

reasonably practicable by establishing and implementing a program of

engineering control measures which are appropriate to this type of activity.

(3) The occupier shall ensure that the workers are provided with the following

measures:-

(a) Work equipment of appropriate ergonomic design which, taking account of

the work to be done, produces the least possible vibration;

(b) the provision of auxiliary equipment which reduces the risk of injuries

caused by vibration; and install appropriate maintenance programmes for

work equipment, the work place and work place systems;

(4) Subject to above sub-paragraphs, the employer shall ensure that his

employees are not exposed to vibration above an exposure limit value; and

shall take necessary to identify the reasons for the limit being exceeded

and take appropriate steps to reduce the exposure to vibration to below

limit value.

Provided that where the exposure of an employees to vibration is

usually below the exposure action value but varies markedly from time to

time and may occasionally exceed the exposure limit value.

Provided further that any exposure to vibration averaged over one

week is less than the exposure limit value and there is evidence to show

that the risk from the actual pattern of exposure is less than the

corresponding risk from constant exposure at the exposure limit value; and

that the risk is reduced to as low a level as is reasonably practicable,

taking into-account the special circumstances.

7. Medical Examination:-

(1) The occupier shall ensure that the workers who are likely to be exposed to

vibration at above exposure action value are subjected to periodical

medical examination once in a year. The medical examination shall include

general and physical examination as well as special test for Reynaud’s

phenomenon.

(2) The health record of workers shall be maintained in Health Register in

Form: HR by the occupier for a period of five years from the date of last

test and produce to the Inspector-cum-Facilitator on demand.

(3) No person shall be employed for the first time without a Certificate of

Fitness in Form: XVII granted by the Health Surveillance officer. If the

Health Surveillance officer declares a person unfit for being employed in

any process covered under sub-rule (1), such a person shall have the right

to appeal to the Inspector-cum-Facilitator who shall refer the matter to the

Medical Officer whose opinion shall be final in this regard. If the Inspector-

cum-Facilitator is also a Medical Officer, he may dispose of the application

himself.

(4) Any findings of the Health Surveillance officer revealing any abnormality or

unsuitability of any person employed in the process shall immediately be

reported to the Medical Officer who shall in turn, examine the concerned

worker and communicate his findings to the occupier within thirty days. If

the Medical Officer is of the opinion that the workers examined is required

to be taken away from the process for health protection, he will direct the

occupier accordingly, who shall not employ the said worker in the same

process. However, the worker so taken away shall be provided with

alternate placement unless she is in the opinion of the Medical Officer, fully

incapacitated in which case the worker affected shall he suitably

rehabilitated.

(5) A Medical Officer on his own motion or on a reference from an Inspector-

cum- Facilitator may conduct medical examination of a worker to ascertain

the suitability of his employment in the scheduled Process/operation or for

ascertaining his health status. The opinion of the Medical Officer in such a

case shall be final. The fee required for this medical examination shall be

paid by the occupier.

(6) The worker taken away from employment in any process under sub-rule

(2) may be employed again in the same process only after obtaining the

Fitness Certificate from the Medical Officer and after making entries to that

effect in the Health Register.

8. Personal Protective equipment.-

(1) The occupier shall ensure that the workers who are likely to be exposed to

high level of vibration are provided with appropriate Personal Protective

Equipment (PPE) and protective clothing confirming to national

orinternational standards. Such Personal Protective Equipment should

include hand gloves arid safety shoes. The protective clothing shall be able

to protect the workers from cold and dump.

(2) The Occupier shall ensure that workers are given periodical training in the

use care and maintenance of the Personal Protective Equipment.