Keeping hearing protection on track

A noise check undertaken as part of a hearing
conservation programme at a leading manufacturer of rail
infrastructure products has been so successful that it is set
to be rolled out across several of the company’s locations

Balfour Beatty Rail’s facility at
Sandiacre, between Derby and
Nottingham, employs more than
200 staff in the manufacture of steel rail
switches and crossings for both UK and
European markets.

The manufacturing process involves a
number of activities including milling,
welding and forging, all generating
different volumes and frequencies of noise
– reaching more than 100 dB(A) in some
instances – with the potential for
occupational health and safety risks for
employees if adequate protection is not
available.

Some of the manufacturing processes
also call for the provision of hard hats, eye
protection and respiratory protection.

The company was sourcing its personal
protective equipment (PPE) from a
number of suppliers including the
diversified technology company, 3M but
was keen to rationalise its supplier base as
far as possible, not least to ensure the
different types of PPE worn by staff
offered optimum compatibility.

As part of the discussions on how to
best meet Balfour Beatty Rail’s needs, 3M
offered to undertake a noise check of all
areas of the facility and proposed a
hearing conservation programme
covering all shop floor staff with training
on usage and maintenance of their PPE.

The noise checks involved 3M experts
using specialist equipment to measure
noise volume and frequency at nearly 30
separate locations within the facility,
where activities such as tool grinding,
engraving, sanding and drilling were
taking place.

Range of activities covered
The results very much reflected this range
of activity – the rail turning shop, for
example, generated volumes of up to
98db(A) at low frequencies, while one of
the grinding sections reached 103db(A) at
high frequencies. (The Control of Noise at
Work Regulations 2005 gives guidance
that the level at which employers must
provide protection and hearing protection
is 85dB(A) (daily or weekly average
exposure) and also an exposure limit
value of 87dB(A), taking account of any
reductions in exposure provided by
hearing protection, above which workers
must not be exposed).

Using the results of this research and
following consultations with individual
staff, 3M suggested different hearing
protection products from its extensive
range which would be suitable for the
staff working in each location. Each of
these would reduce noise levels to
acceptable levels, with an option for ear
plugs or muffs depending on individual
preference.

As part of the programme a tailored
presentation was also given to staff
covering the need for PPE, correct
storage, cleaning and maintenance, and
donning and doffing, to help maximise
compliance.

Through this scheme, 3M says that it
has forged a close partnership with
Balfour Beatty Rail’s health and safety
team, and is now supplying a range of
PPE including safety spectacles and
goggles, disposable dust masks, welding
shields and air-fed respirators as well as
hearing protection products.

Richard Beardsley of 3M’s
Occupational Health and Environmental
Safety Division explained: “The range of
work undertaken at Sandiacre means that
noise volume and frequency can vary
considerably between locations, meaning
that the PPE requirements in each
location differ. We were able to suggest
products suitable for every individual onsite
to ensure they are not exposed to
excessive noise levels.

“Balfour Beatty Rail is a company
which takes its responsibility to employee
safety very seriously and we are delighted
to have the opportunity to work so closely
with them.”
Rodgena Froggatt, works administrator
and management safety representative for
Balfour Beatty Rail, added: “The noise
checks undertaken were extremely
thorough and have resulted in an allencompassing
programme meaning that
not only are our employees adequately
protected against noise but that they also
understand the key issues surrounding the
use and maintenance of hearing
protection products.

“We are so pleased with the noise check
and hearing conservation programme
delivered by 3M that we are considering
rolling this out to other sites at Sheffield,
Doncaster and Darlington.”
See 3M at Health & Safety ’10 North,
Stand 76