Noise Exposure in Medical Helicopter Flights

• Main Author: Hay, Melissa Constance
• Format: Others
• Published: Scholar Commons 2012
• Subjects: 1910.95; hospital; NIOSH Method; Occupational Noise; OSHA; Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene
• Online Access: http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/4331; http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5527&context=etd

The purpose of this project was to evaluate noise exposures of helicopter pilots, nurses and paramedics at a hospital by collecting area and personal samples, determining noise levels inside the helmet, and evaluating the current selection of personal protective equipment (PPE). Measurements gathered during personal sampling were statistically analyzed and calculated using OSHA 1910.95 App A to determine dose, reference duration and the Time-Weighted Average (TWA). Using a mannequin head, with the noise dosimeters in the ears, tests were performed on the headset inside the helmets to determine the sound pressure levels generated from the radio communications at different volume levels. According to our results, the crew is not exposed to hearing levels above the OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL), because their flight times are usually only 20-30 minutes and the dose not above 22% of the OSHA limit. If the total flight times were 6.5 hours or more, the crew could be above the OSHA PEL. Testing the helmet speakers resulted in a recommendation that the setting not be set above the 6 o'clock position so that the crew would not be exposed to sound pressure levels about 80 dBA