Case Study - Air & Noise Monitoring at Sicomp Company

Air and Noise Monitoring at a Production Plant Using Silica

Noise monitoring (dosimetry) and air sampling were performed for a full shift at the Sicomp Company. Sicomp is a custom formulator and manufacturer of silicone and fluorosilicone compounds, color master batches, self-bonding compounds, additives and modifiers. They use products that contain crystalline silica, an OSHA regulated compound.  In addition, some of the machinery used in production is quite loud.  The nature of this business and the machinery involved create a need for this air sampling and noise monitoring, as do related OSHA requirements. 

Silica Used in Production

Noise Monitoring Results
Noise dosimetry was used to determine the full shift time-weighted average (TWA) of employee exposure to noise, as required by OSHA methods. Noise dosimetry is used to determine the time-weighted average exposure to noise over an entire work shift. Three of the five positions tested exceeded the OSHA Hearing Conservation threshold of 85 dBA. One exceeded the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 90 dBA. The OSHA required Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for noise is 90 dBA which equates to a 100% dose. In evaluating compliance with the Noise Standard, OSHA requires all values of 80 dBA and above to be integrated into an average for the time of exposure. Noise measurement was obtained using the A-weighted scale, slow response and 5 dBA doubling. According to OSHA Standard 1910.95, ambient noise exposure over an 8 hour period should not exceed 90 dBA, regardless of hearing protection.

Noise Recommendations
OSHA requires hearing conservation measures be taken when noise exposure exceeds 85 dBA. Administrative or engineering controls are required above 90 dBA in order to control employee’s noise exposure.  Engineering controls can be used to reduce noise at the source or at the employee’s ears.

Noisy Equipment Requires Monitoring

Noise Recommendations
Six recommendations were provided to control noise exposure. 

Air Monitoring Results

Air samples were taken for six for employees, two air samples were for respirable silica and respirable dust; and four were for total dust only. Results indicate one employee exceeded the OSHA PEL for silica dust, and two employees exceeded the ACGIH TLV (Threshold Limit Values (TLV's) are guidelines (not standards) prepared by the American Conference of Governmental industrial Hygienists, Inc (ACGIH) to assist industrial hygienists in making decisions regarding safe levels of exposure to various hazards found in the workplace), a voluntary occupational guideline. 
Recommendations
Five recommendations are provided for controlling exposure to silica dust and fume.

About IAQ Services USA

IAQ Services USA is a full service consulting firm in the areas of environmental health and safety testing and remediation. Stuart Bagley, MS CIH CSP is a senior consultant from IAQ Services USA. He is a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) and a Certified Safety Professional (CSP). He has a Master of Science degree in Occupational and Environmental Health from Wayne State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Michigan. Mr. Bagley’s field experience includes serving as a Compliance Safety and Health Officer for US Dept. of Labor-Occupational Safety and Health Admin (OSHA), working in corporate safety management, and as a senior consultant for IAQ Services USA, a total of 28 years.

What is your IAQ?

IAQ is the acronym for Indoor Air Quality. IAQ is what this blog is all about. We will be discussing "good" air vs. "bad" air. Good air is good for what it lacks. Mold, pollen, formaldehyde, volatile organics, dust, ozone are some pollutants that makes bad air bad. In the home environment it tends to be more of the biological contaminants, esp. mold, bacteria and dust mites, although formaldehyde in the home can be significant.

My next blog will discuss indoor air quality in the industrial setting, usually referred to as industrial hygiene.

Your Truly,
Stuart D Bagley, MS CIH CSP
IAQ Services Inc.