Schedule XXIV

(See rule 84)

OPERATIONS INVOLVING HIGH NOISE AND VIBRATION LEVELS

Part – A High Noise Levels:

1. Application – This part of the Schedule shall apply to operations involved in any manufacturing process

where noise level is high from the permitted levels.

2. Definitions – For the purpose of this schedule,-

a) “noise” means any unwanted sound.

b) “high noise level” means noise level measured on the A-weighted scale which is 85 dB or above.

c) “Decibel” means one-tenth of “Bel” which is the fundamental division 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 of 10 of these ratios. The noise level (or the sound pressure

level) corresponds to a reference pressure of 20x10 Newton per square meter or 0.0002’ dynes

per square centimeter, the threshold of hearing, i.e., 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) “dB A” refers to sound level in decibels as measured on a sound level meter operating on the

A-weighting network with slow meter response.

f) “A-weighting” means making graded adjustments in the intensities of sound for 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 being measured.

3. Protection against Noise–

a) In every factory, a suitable engineering controls or administrative measures shall be taken to

ensure, in so far as is reasonably practicable, so 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, continuous or Sound pressure level in dBA for short term exposures permissible

per day in hours

HoursdBA

8 85

6 87

4 90

3 92

2 95

1½ 97

1 100

¾ 102

½ 105

¼ 110

Notes: -

1. Exposure in excess of 110 dBA shall not 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.

1. Peak sound pressure level in dB permitted viz. the permissible number of impulses or impact per day

shall be –

dB Nos. of impulses per day

140 100

135 315

130 1,000

125 3,160

120 10,000

Notes: - 1. Exposure in excess of 140 dB peak sound pressure level shall not be 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 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 only the criteria given in Table

1. In other cases, the noise is to be considered as impulsive or impact noise and the criteria given in

Table 2 shall apply.

3. When the daily exposure is composed of two or more periods of noise exposure at different levels then

their combined effect should be considered, rather than the individual effect. The mixed exposure is

considered to have exceed the limit value if the sum of the fractions

C1/T1+ C2/T2+ Cn/Tn exceeds unity,

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. Where it is not possible to reduce the noise exposure to the levels specified in paragraph (1) above by

reasonably practicable engineering control or administrative measures, the noise exposure shall be

reduced to the greatest extent practically possible by such control measures.

And each worker so exposed shall be provided with suitable ear protectors as per relevant national or

international standards as to reduce the exposure to the levels specified in paragraph (1) above

5. The Occupier shall provide personal hearing protectors to the Workers:

a) So as to eliminate the risk to hearing or to reduce the risk to a level as is reasonably practicable;

b) After consultation with the workers concerned or their representatives, suitable protectors

conforming to the bodily features of the workers shall be provided free of cost;

c) Ensure that hearing protectors are properly fitted, periodically checked for the effectiveness, worn

and maintained in good working condition and repaired as and when needed;

d) Ensure that workers are given periodical training in the use, care and maintenance of the personal

hearing protectors;

6. Where the ear protectors provided in accordance with sub-paragraph (3) and (4) and worn by a worker

is ineffective to attenuate the noise from harming his ear, as observed when, measured by subtracting

the attenuation value in dBA from the measured sound pressure level, has gone to a level not permissible

under Table 1 or Table 2 as the case may be, the noise exposure period then shall be suitably reduced to

correspond to the permissible noise exposures specified in sub- paragraph (1) above.

7. a) In all cases where the prevailing sound levels exceed the permissible levels specified in sub- paragraph

(1) above there shall be administered an effective hearing conservation programme and which shall

include among other things hearing conservation measures, pre-employment and periodical auditory

surveys on workers exposed to noise exceeding the permissible levels, including 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 sub-paragraph (1) above shall be subjected to 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 or part thereof

having high undesired vibration levels.

2. Definitions:-

a) “daily exposure” means the quantity of mechanical vibration to which a worker is exposed during

a working day, that also takes into account the magnitude and duration of such vibration levels;

b) ” vibration” means a mechanical phenomenon where by oscillations occur about an 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 below

d) “ exposure action value” means the level of daily exposure set out in paragraph 3 below for any

worker which, if reached or exceeded, requires specified action to be taken to reduce the risk;

e) “ exposure limit value” means the level of daily exposure for any worker that shall not be exceeded,

as specified in paragraph 3 below.

f) “hand-arm vibration” means mechanical vibration which is transmitted onto the hands and arms

during a work or mechanical activity;

g) “mechanical vibration” means vibration occurring in a part of the machinery or equipment or in

a vehicle consequent on its operation; and

h) “ whole-body vibration” means mechanical vibration which is transmitted to the body, when

sitting or standing, during a work activity or as described in sub paragraph 3 (2) below.

3. Exposure limit values and action values:-

a) For hand-arm vibration,

(i) the daily exposure limit value is 5 m/s2A (8);

(ii) the daily exposure action value is 2.5 m/s2 A (8), and daily exposure shall be ascertained on

the basis of the values set out in the relevant National/ International standards, specified in

Table 1 below.

b) For whole body vibration,-

(i) the daily exposure limit value is 1.15 m/s 2A (8);

(ii) the daily exposure action value is 0.5 m/s2 A (8); and daily exposure shall be ascertained on

the basis of the values set out in the relevant National/ International standards.

TABLE – 1

1. The Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for exposure of hands while using hand held/hand operated devices

to vibration levels in X, Y, and Z directions shall be as given below:

2. 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

to less than 2 hours 8

Less than 1 hour 12

3. Assessment of vibration exposure shall be made for each direction (X, Y, Z) since vibration is a vector

quantity having (magnitude and direction). In each direction, the magnitude of the vibration during

normal operation of the power too, machine or work piece should be expressed by the root-mean-

square (RMS) value of the frequency – weighted component acceleration, in units, meter per second

squared (m/s2)

4. Assessment of risk to health due to vibration at workplaces: -

a) The occupier who carries out work which is liable to expose any worker to vibration shall make a

suitable and sufficient assessment with the help of a competent agency of the risk involved in that

work to the health and safety of workers and the assessment so made shall identify the control

measures that need to be taken.

b) The risk assessment should be reviewed whenever it is felt that the change in the process has made

the earlier risk assessment no longer valid.

5. Engineering Control Measures:-

a) 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 how a level as is reasonably

practicable.

b) Where it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate risk at source, pursuant to clause (a) of paragraph

4 an exposure-action-value is likely to be reached or exceeded, the employer shall reduce exposure

to a level as is reasonably practicable by establishing and implementing a re-engineering and

rehabilitation programme, which is appropriate to the type of activity that is being carried on.

c) The occupier shall ensure that following measures are taken–

(i) work equipment shall be of appropriate ergonomic design, taking into account, the work to

be done, reducing the vibration levels to the minimum;

(ii) work equipment shall have auxiliary equipment to reduce the risk of injuries caused by

vibration; supported with appropriate maintenance programmes for the equipment and the

associated systems and workplace;

d) Subject to sub-rule 2, the employer shall ensure that the workers are not exposed to vibration

above the exposure limit value; and if not, shall take necessary steps to identify the reasons for

the limit being exceeded and reduce the exposure to vibration, to below the limit value specified:

Provided where the exposure of a worker to vibration is usually below the exposure- action- value

but varies from time to time and may occasionally exceed the exposure limit value, appropriate

measures shall be taken to reduce the levels to within specified limits. Provided further, 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 level

as is reasonably practicable, taking into account the special circumstances, the pattern shall be

maintained in the long run.

6. Medical examination:-

a) The occupier shall ensure that the workers who are likely to be exposed to vibration at levels 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.

b) The health record of workers shall be maintained by the occupier for a period of 5 years form the

date of last test and the same shall be produced before the Inspector-cum-Facilitator of Factories

on demand.

c) If at any time, the Medical Officer/Factory Medical Officer is of the opinion that the worker is no

longer fit to work in the said process on the ground that continuance therein would involve danger

to the health of the worker, he/she shall make a record of his findings in fitness certificate and the

health register. The entry of his findings in those documents shall include the period for which

he/she considers the person unfit for work in the manufacturing process/processes. The person

declared unfit in such circumstances shall be provided with alternate placement facility unless in

the opinion of the Medical Officer, he/she is fully incapacitated and in that case the person affected

shall be suitably rehabilitated with sufficient compensation.

7. Personal Protective Equipment:-

a) The occupier shall ensure that the workers who are likely to be exposed to high levels of vibration

are provided with appropriate personal Protective Equipment and protective clothing conforming

to the National or International Standards. Such Personal Protective Equipment should include

hand gloves and safety shoes. The protective clothing shall be able to protect the workers from

chilly damp areas.

b) The occupier shall ensure that workers are given periodical training in the daily use, care and

maintenance of their Personal Protective Equipment.

8. Administrative Control Measures:-

a) The occupier shall ensure that as far as reasonably practicable, all necessary control measures are

taken to ensure that the unwanted vibrations does not affect the health of the workers employed in

the process to which this part of Schedule apply.

b) The occupier shall provide all workers with information instruction and training to limit the

exposure within limit values and action values as set out in paragraph –3.

c) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1) above, the information, instruction and

training provided under that paragraph should include-

(i) the exposure limit values and action values set out in sub paragraph-3

(ii) safe working practices to minimize exposure to vibration; and

(iii) suitable and sufficient information and training to inculcate right practices while handling

work equipment to minimize the exposure to vibration, and to use the equipments safely and

in the right manner.

(iv) Limitation of the duration and magnitude of exposure to vibration;

(v) appropriate work schedules with adequate rest periods; and

(vi) The information, instruction and training required by sub-paragraph (2) above shall be

updated to take into account the significant changes that are coming up in the type of work

being carried on or the working methods use by the employer.

d) The Occupier shall display pictorial cautionary notices/warning signs at conspicuous places more

frequented by workers where there are possibilities of them being exposed to undesired levels of

high vibrations.

9. Prohibition in employment of women, young persons and persons with disabilities: - No women or

young person or persons with disabilities shall be employed in the process covered by this part of the

schedule.

10. Exemptions:- If in respect of any factory, the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator is satisfied that owing to

any exceptional circumstances, or intermittent nature of the process, or for any other reason, application

of all or any of the provisions of this schedule is not necessary for the protection of the persons employed

in such factory, he/she may by an order in writing which he/ she may at his discretion revoke, exempt

such factory from all or any of the provisions on such conditions and for such period as he/she may

specify.