Controlling Noise Exposure Levels at a Seafood Processing Facility

A seafood processing facility implemented a targeted maintenance plan to reduce noise exposures resulting from band saws used to process Alaskan king crab. Initial noise monitoring results indicated that seven of 15 monitored workers had a full shift-noise exposure greater than the regulatory exposure limit of 85.0 dB(A). Workers operating or working near the band saws typically had noise exposures greater than 85.0 dB(A) indicating approximately 50 workers would need to be enrolled in a hearing loss prevention program. The company subsequently embarked on a program to reduce equipment noise levels which was deemed to be a more cost effective approach than maintaining a hearing loss prevention program. An initial assessment identified the top and bottom pulley bearings, electric motor, and contact between the blade and top pulley as primary noise sources. Each of these noise sources could be readily ameliorated by installing new parts (bearings, motors) or making adjustments. Each band saw in the facility was assessed using a sound level meter to identify the required maintenance needed to reduce noise levels below 85 dB(A) and subsequently modified. Follow-up noise monitoring, conducted after all of the band saws had been serviced, indicated a noise reduction of 8 to 12 decibels (A) was achieved for each band saw and only one of eleven employees were found to have a full-shift noise exposure that exceeded 85.0 dB(A). A cost/benefit analysis comparing the cost of modifying the band saws with that of enrolling workers in a hearing loss conservation program was developed.