Health and Safety
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New guidance on reducing noise from CNC punch presses, which can expose workers to noise levels of up to 100dB(A), has been published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Around 1.1 million workers are thought to be exposed to noise above levels considered safe and it is estimated that 170,000 people suffer from deafness, tinnitus or other ear conditions as a result of exposure to excessive noise at work. Between 21% and 36% of these are in engineering occupations. Figures from the Association of British Insurers show that deafness made up approximately 66% of occupational disease claims up to 1998 although the number of cases dealt in recent years has been declining.
Computer numerically controlled (CNC) punch presses can produce high noise levels. An older machine, such as a 30-ton, 40-station mechanical press, can expose an operator at the control panel to 95 dB(A) during a typical punching cycle on 3 mm steel. Noise levels can reach 100 dB(A) during the noisiest operations. As a result CNC punch presses can make a significant contribution to noise levels in engineering premises where they are used. There are however, a number of ways in which the level of this noise can be reduced.
The new guidance from HSE, Reducing noise from CNC punch presses, (Engineering Information Sheet no. 39):
The sheet is one of a series of information sheets advising on controlling exposure to noise in engineering.
Copies of Engineering Information Sheet No. 39 Reducing noise from CNC punch presses can be ordered online at http://www.hsebooks.com or are available free from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2WA, tel: 01787-881165 or fax: 01787-313995.
1. HSE has published a number of studies on noise, including The Costs and Benefits of the Noise at Work Regulations 1989. Institute for Employment Studies. HSE Contract Research Report No. 116/1996 ISBN 0 7176 1266x; HSE study Self-reported work related illness in 1995 ISBN 0 7176 1509X.
2. Relevant HSE information sheets include: Noise in engineering Engineering Information Sheet 26, Control of noise at metal cutting saws Engineering Information Sheet 27 and Control of noise at power presses Engineering Information Sheet 29 available on the HSE website at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/engindex.htm
3. Additional information on noise is also available on the HSE website at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/hthdir/noframes/noise.htm
: 020 7717 6915.
Call HSE's InfoLine, tel: 0845 345 0055
or write to: HSE Information Services, Caerphilly Park, Caerphilly
CF83 3GG.
Published on the HSE web site on 15 October 2002