Document Number PEC-HS-GDE-X

X-0435

Revision 2

Applicability ALL

Document Type Guidelines

Noise

REVISION/APPROVAL HISTORY

Periodic Review –
2 06-Aug-2012 Asli Kilic Celebi Robert Anderson Brent Pasula
Approved
Ryan Krause
Periodic Review – Graham
1 08-Jul-2007 Iain Wilson Whiteing
Approved Macmillan
Laurent Espaillac
Ryan Krause
Graham
0 28-Aug-2006 Approved Iain Wilson Whiteing
Macmillan
Laurent Espaillac

Rev Date Description of Change Developer Reviewer Approver

Records of approval are retained in the QMS

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CONTENTS

1.0 PURPOSE................................................................................3

2.0 SCOPE ...................................................................................3

3.0 DEFINITIONS............................................................................3
3.1 Abbreviations.......................................................................... 3

4.0 REFERENCES ...........................................................................4

5.0 RESPONSIBILITY & AUTHORITY .....................................................4

6.0 DESCRIPTION ...........................................................................4

6.1 Requirements.......................................................................... 4
6.2 Noise Monitoring and Hazard Determination...................................... 5
6.3 Exposure Control Methods ........................................................... 5
6.4 Hearing Protective Devices.......................................................... 6
6.4.1 Effective Use of HPD ........................................................ 7
6.4.2 Maintenance of HPD ......................................................... 7
6.5 Training ................................................................................ 7
6.6 Hearing Loss Prevention Instructions .............................................. 8
6.7 Environmental Noise Management ................................................. 8

7.0 RECORDS................................................................................9

8.0 APPENDICES ............................................................................9

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1.0 PURPOSE

The purpose of this document is to establish minimum requirements to protect the hearing
of personnel engaged in or associated with Petrofac activities.

2.0 SCOPE

This document is applicable to all Petrofac projects/work locations.

3.0 DEFINITIONS

Employee : An employee is any person directly employed by Petrofac,

whether on an agency, limited company, temporary, permanent
staff, part time or full time basis.

Hearing Protective : Ear plugs or ear muffs.

Device

Permissible Exposure : Exposure to an equivalent time weighted average of 85 dBA or

Limit the limit of the country, whichever is lower, measured on slow
response.

Petrofac : Petrofac - Engineering & Construction

Standard Threshold : A change in hearing threshold relative to the baseline audiogram

Shift of an average of 10 dB or more at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz in
either ear. This condition may be a Temporary Threshold Shift or
a Permanent Threshold Shift.

3.1 Abbreviations

Abbreviation Description
HPD Hearing Protective Device
HSSE Health, Safety, Security, and Environment
PEL Permissible Exposure Limit
PPE Personal Protective Equipment
PTS Permanent Threshold Shift
STS Standard Threshold Shift
TTS Temporary Threshold Shift
TWA Time-weighted average

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4.0 REFERENCES

1) SHJ-HS-PRO-X-5009 — Noise and Vibration Control

2) PEC-HS-PRO-X-10462 — Health Assessment & Fitness to Work
3) PEC-HS-PRO-X-2413 — Management of HSSE Records
4) www.hse.gov.uk — Health and Safety Executive
5) www.osha.gov — Occupational Safety and Health Administration
6) Guidelines for Community Noise, World Health Organization (WHO), 1999.
7) Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines, General EHS Guidelines:
Environmental, Noise management, International Finance Cooperation, April 30,
2007.

5.0 RESPONSIBILITY & AUTHORITY

It shall be the responsibility of the Management to ensure that the requirements of this
document are adhered to.
It shall be the responsibility of the Supervision to ensure that all employees comply with
the requirements.
It shall be the responsibility of the HSSE Department to ensure that the requirements are
implemented. HSSE Department shall monitor conformance to these requirements and
provide management with feedback on non-compliance issues and methods for
improvement.

6.0 DESCRIPTION

6.1 Requirements

Petrofac projects/work locations shall develop a list of high noise activities, which are
equal to or exceeding PEL, and require the use of hearing protection for all employees
engaged in those activities, regardless of the duration of the activity. High noise
generating areas shall be signed posted.
Sound level meter used for measuring the noise levels shall be properly calibrated and
maintained on regular basis. It is prohibited to use equipment with expired calibration or
without calibration. Employees carrying out noise measurements shall be suitably trained
in the use of sound level meter. They shall take several measurements from each point in
order to ensure consistency and reduce uncertainty. Noise measurements shall be
documented. Records of the noise measurements shall maintained in the HSSE
Department.
Petrofac projects/work locations shall include training on the effects of noise on hearing,
the proper use of hearing protection for high noise activities, and the proper use of
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hearing protection (including the proper method of insertion) in the new employee
orientation program and shall review the information from time to time in tool box
meetings.
Employee exposure to occupational noise hazards shall be assessed.
Employees will be provided with protection from exposure to occupational noise in excess
of the permissible levels.

6.2 Noise Monitoring and Hazard Determination

Employees exposed to noise can suffer from temporary or permanent hearing loss.
Permanent hearing loss is usually gradual but can also be caused immediately by sudden
extremely loud noises. Surgery or hearing aid cannot help in case of noise induced hearing
loss. Employees may also suffer from tinnitus which is a distressing condition.
In addition to hearing loss and tinnitus, other effects of loud noise are:

 Physical and psychological stress

 Reduced productivity

 Communication and concentration problems

 Difficulty in hearing warning signals which may result in accidents and incidents

The onus of Petrofac is to ensure that the employees do not suffer damage to their
hearing. As a first step, noisy activities/work locations and affected personnel will be
identified and then noise measurements will be carried out. When information indicates
that any employee’s exposure is equal to or exceed PEL, a rectification program shall be
developed and implemented. This program will be used to determine which employees are
exposed and to select the proper hearing protective devices. Since PPE is the last resort,
there are several measures that can be taken to reduce noise which are explained in
Section 6.3.
Noise measurements will be repeated whenever a change in equipment or process occurs
such that the ambient noise level is increased.
Additionally, relevant laws, regulations and Health Assessment & Fitness to Work [PEC-
HS-PRO-X-10462] procedure will be followed for periodic hearing checks.

6.3 Exposure Control Methods

Every consideration will be given to the use of effective engineering and administrative
controls to reduce employee exposure to occupational noise hazards. However, when
these controls are infeasible or ineffective, appropriate personal protective equipment
will be provided to reduce noise levels to the permissible range.

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Firstly, removing the loud noise altogether shall be considered. If this is not possible,
following measures shall be taken into consideration:

 Using a different, quieter process equipment, such as:

o Equipment with low noise generation levels shall be selected wherever
possible.

 Using engineering controls, such as:

o Noise reduction silencers

o Metal-on-metal impacts shall be avoided
o Vibration shall be reduced
o Vibrating machinery/components shall be isolated

 Modifying the travel path of the noise, such as:

o Noisy equipment shall be shielded by using noise barrier enclosures, or
acoustical insulation
o Spoil stockpiles shall be used as screens for high noise activities where
practicable

 Designing and laying out the workplace for low noise emission, such as:
o Noisy machinery shall be kept away from quieter areas
o Noisy machinery shall be kept out of areas where employees spend most of
their time

 Limiting the time spent in noisy areas

Note:
All equipment used on site shall be inspected in order to ensure that the noise levels
generated are within the acceptable regulated limits. Also, it shall be ensured that
machinery is turned off when not in use (not left idling).

6.4 Hearing Protective Devices

The use of hearing protective devices shall be required for all employees who are exposed
to PEL or more during an 8 hr period.
At least two types of HPDs offering adequate attenuation shall be made available so that
employees may select the more comfortable style. In order HDPs to provide effective
protection, they shall be worn correctly, worn during 100% of the exposure period and,
properly maintained (only valid for non-disposable HPD) where appropriate.
The type of HPD to be used by the employees shall be decided according to their noise
reducing capability given by the manufacturer. If the noise exposure cannot be reduced
below PEL by only one HPD than two types of HPDs shall be used at the same time.
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HPD must comply to an internationally accepted standard such as BS EN 352.

6.4.1 Effective Use of HPD

Petrofac shall:

 ensure that HPD give enough protection

 target the use of HPD to noisy tasks/jobs

 select HPD suitable for the work environment

 consider how HPD will be used with other PPE

 provide at least two types of HDP

6.4.2 Maintenance of HPD

Petrofac shall ensure HPD work effectively and check:

 Their condition (should be good and clean)

 Earmuff seals (should be undamaged)

 Headbands (their tension should not be reduced)

 If they are modified (unofficial modifications is prohibited)

 Earplugs (should be soft, pliable and clean)

6.5 Training

Each employee that may be exposed to high noise levels will receive initial and refresher
training on:

 The effects of noise on hearing

 Ways of controlling risks and exposures

 Where and how they can obtain HPD

 How to report defects in HPD

 Proper way of using HPD

o Earmuffs should totally cover the ears and fit tightly. There should be no gaps
around the seals (hair, jewellery, glasses, hats, etc., should not interfere with
the seal). The seals and the insides should be kept clean. The headband should
not be stretched too much.
o Earplugs can be difficult to fit properly. Employees should practise fitting them
during the training. Before fitting the earplugs, hands should be cleaned. It is
important to note that earplugs should not be shared with others.
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 How to look after and store HPD

 Where to use HPD

Petrofac will ensure the training is understood by the employees. Records of the trainings
shall be maintained in the HSSE Department.

6.6 Hearing Loss Prevention Instructions

The noise exposure monitoring and hearing conservation programmes shall be evaluated
annually and all deficiencies addressed. A schedule for correction of deficiencies will be
developed and monitored to ensure continuous improvement.

6.7 Environmental Noise Management

Petrofac will develop and implement noise mitigation measures where the impact
assessment has identified noise levels potentially exceeding applicable limits for beyond
the boundary or fence. Below limits or limits of the country, whichever is lower, shall be
used:

Noise Level Guidelines*

One Hour LAeq(dBA)

Daytime Nighttime
Receptor 07:00 – 22:00 22:00 – 07:00

Residential; institutional; 55 45
educational

Industrial; commercial 70 70

* Guidelines are for noise levels measured out of doors. Source: Guidelines for Community Noise, World Health
Organization (WHO), 1999.

Note:
Noise impacts should not exceed the levels presented in the Table above, or result in a
maximum increase in background levels of 3 dB at the nearest receptor location off-site.

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The mitigation measures include but not limited to:

 Providing noise barrier enclosures or acoustical insulation to shield noisy equipment

 Providing noise specifications for all equipment to ensure minimum impact on local
communities and sensitive fauna populations

 Keeping all equipment well-maintained

 Specifying certain noise limits for the Procurement Department

Petrofac shall:

 ensure extreme care is taken within the populated areas

 avoid or minimize construction activities within the vicinity of towns and

surrounding villages at night

 avoid noisy activities which will cause significant disturbance to local communities
during religious holidays

 communicate with the affected people and communities so that all parties are
better informed about the nature, character and frequency of the noise
disturbance

For more information, refer to Noise and Vibration Control [SHJ-HS-PRO-X-5009]

procedure.

7.0 RECORDS

Records mentioned in this document shall be kept by relevant departments in accordance

with Management of HSSE Records [PEC-HS-PRO-X-2413] procedure.

8.0 APPENDICES

None.

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