1 Objective

These guidelines are aimed at preventing noise-induced impairments among workers engaged in work that is conducted in noisy environments by adopting appropriate impairment-prevention measures, including steps based on the Industrial Safety and Health Law and related regulations.

2 Noisy work

Noisy work subject to these guidelines means work at workplaces listed in Attached Tables 1 and 2.

3 Responsibility of employer

Employer that operate workplaces listed in Attached Tables 1 and 2 (hereinafter called "employer") shall make efforts to reduce the noise level, etc., by taking appropriate steps for said workplace based on these guidelines.

4 Notification of plan

When employer submit notification of plan on the basis of the provisions of Article 88 of the Industrial Safety and Health Law (Law No. 57; 1972), in the event such plans are applicable to a workplace listed in Attached Tables 1 or 2, they shall attach to the notification appropriate documents or diagrams that indicate the outline of the noise-induced impairment prevention measures.

5 Working environment control and work management

(1) Indoor workplace

A. Working environment measurements

(a) Employer shall conduct the following measurements for indoor workplace listed in Attached Table 1, and for indoor workplace that is included among the workplaces listed in Attached Table 2.

[1] Measurements of the equivalent noise level by methods specified in Paragraphs 1 and 2, Article 4 of the Working Environment Measurement Standards (MOL Notice No. 46, 1976) (hereinafter called the "A-Sampling").

[2] In case the unit working area where work is conducted is located adjacent to a sound source, measurements of the equivalent noise level by methods specified in Paragraph 3, Article 4 of the Working Environment Measurement Standards (hereinafter called the "B-Sampling").

(b) Such measurements shall be conducted regularly at least once within every six months. In the event of any changes in facilities, equipment, work processes and/or working methods, however, measurements shall be conducted at the time of such changes.

(c) Measurements shall be conducted continuously for more than 10 minutes per measured point during the hours when work is being performed on a steady and normal basis.

B. Evaluation of working environment measurement results

Employer shall carry out an evaluation of the working environment measurements for each unit working area by using the table below.

Remarks
1. The average A-sampling value is determined by mathematically averaging the measured values.
2. Measured values lower than 80 dB (A) are not included in calculating the average A-sampling value.
3. In the event A-sampling only is carried out, the less than 85 dB (A) column in the B-sampling section of the table is used for evaluation purposes.

C. Measures by each administrative classification

Employer shall take the following steps for each administrative classification on the basis of the results of the evaluation of the working environment measurements.

(a) Administrative classification I

With respect to places classified as administrative classification I, striving to continually maintain the working environment at said sites.

(b) Administrative classification II

[1] With respect to sites classified as administrative classification II, taking appropriate steps such as clearly indicating said sites by posting signs.

[2] Striving to raise the administrative classification of said sites to classification I by inspecting the facilities, equipment, work processes and/or working methods and, based on the results of such inspections, by installing or organizing facilities or equipment, improving the work process or working methods or by taking other steps necessary to improve the working environment.

[3] Requiring that workers engaged in noisy work wear ear protectors as necessary.

(c) Administrative classification III

[1] With respect to sites classified as administrative classification III, taking appropriate steps such as clearly indicating said sites by posting signs.

[2] Making efforts to raise the administrative classification of said sites to classification I or II by inspecting the facilities, equipment, work processes and/or working methods and, based on the results of such inspections, by installing or organizing facilities or equipment, improving the work process or working methods or by taking other steps necessary to improve the working environment.
In case steps have been taken to improve the working environment, conducting working environment measurements of said sites and evaluating the results in order to confirm the effect of the steps taken.

[3] Requiring that worker engaged in noisy work wear ear protectors as necessary, as well as posting notices on the use of ear protectors at places that can be easily seen by worker engaged in work at the site.

D. Recording measurement results, etc.

Employer conducting working environment measurements and evaluating the measurement results shall record the following items each time such measurements are carried out and keep said records for a period of three years.

[1] Measurement date
[2] Measurement method
[3] Measurement locations
[4] Measurement conditions
[5] Measurement results
[6] Evaluation date
[7] Evaluation locations
[8] Evaluation results
[9] Name(s) of personnel who conducted the measurements and evaluation
[10] Outline of steps in cases where improvement steps are taken on the basis of the results of the measurements and evaluations

(2) Workplace other than indoor workplace

A. Measurements

(a) With respect to workplace other than those indoor workplace that is listed in Attached Table 2, employer shall carry out measurements of the equivalent noise level at sites where work is conducted during the hours when work is conducted at locations adjacent to a sound source and at a time when the noise level is considered to be the highest.

(b) Measurements shall be carried out each time any facilities, equipment, work processes and/or working methods are changed.

B. Steps based on the measurement results

Employer shall take the following steps based on the measurement results.

(a) In case the noise level is 85 dB (A) or over but less than 90 dB (A)
Requiring that workers engaged in noisy work wear ear protectors as necessary.

(b) In case the noise level is 90 dB (A) or over
Requiring that workers engaged in noisy work wear ear protectors as necessary, as well as posting notices on the use of ear protectors at places that can be easily seen by workers engaged in work at the site.

6 Health preservation

(1) Medical examinations

A. Medical examination at time of employment, etc.

Employer shall arrange for physicians to conduct medical examinations covering the following items for workers regularly engaged in noisy work at the time of his initial employment or assignment to said work.

[1] Examination of medical history
[2] Examination of work history
[3] Examination of any subjective or objective symptoms
[4] Conducting a hearing examination by audiometer set at 250, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 4,000 and 8,000 Hz
[5] Other examinations as deemed necessary by the physician

B. Regular medical examinations

Employer shall arrange regular medical examinations covering the following items for workers regularly engaged in noisy work on the basis of at least once within every six months.

[1] Examination of medical history
[2] Examination of work history
[3] Examination of any subjective or objective symptoms
[4] Conducting a screening hearing examination by audiometer set at 1,000 and 4,000 Hz

Employer shall arrange for physician to conduct worker medical examinations covering the following items when deemed necessary on the basis of the medical examination above.

[1] Conducting a hearing examination by audiometer set at 250, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 4,000 and 8,000 Hz
[2] Other examinations as deemed necessary by the physician

(2) Follow-up steps based on results of medical examination

Employer shall arrange to take the following steps in accordance with the results of the medical examination.

A. For those in which prodromal stage symptoms of hearing impairment are observed and those in which a slight hearing decline is observed, requiring the use of ear protectors even in place classified as administrative classification II in the case of indoor Workplace and workplace other than indoor workplace with an equivalent noise level of 85 dB (A) or over and less than 90 dB (A), as well as taking other appropriate steps.

B. For those in which a medium-level or greater hearing decline is observed and whose hearing decline may possibly be of a progressive nature, taking the appropriate steps such as rigidly enforcing the requirement to use ear protectors and reducing the hours engaged in noisy work.

(3) Recording and submitting reports of medical examination results

Employer shall record the results of all medical examinations conducted at the time of new employment and/or regular medical examination, and shall keep such records for a period of five years.

With respect to regular medical examination, employer shall report the results to the chief of the relevant Labor Standards Inspection Office without delay after the implementation of same.

7 Occupational health education

Employer contemplating the assignment of works to noisy work on a regular and constant basis shall provide said workers with occupational health education on the following subjects.

[1] Impact of noise on the human body
[2] Securing and maintaining an appropriate working environment
[3] Methods of using ear protectors
[4] Examples of improvement cases and related laws and regulations

(Attached Table 1)

(1) Indoor workplace that carry our work involving the use of machinery or tools powered by compressed air, such as riveting gun, jackhammer, and cast molding machine.
(2) Indoor workplace that carry out work involving metal rolling, wiredrawing, aligning or bending sheets by using roller, rolling mill, etc. (excluding work involving aligning and bending sheets by liquid press or die-scoring).
(3) Indoor workplace that carry out work involving metal forging or molding by using hammers operated by motive power.
(4) Indoor workplace that carry out work involving the polishing or cleaning of metal products by using tumbler.
(5) Indoor workplace that carry out work involving the washing of drum by using chain, etc., operated by motive power.
(6) Indoor workplace that carry out work involving the shaving or debarking of wood by using drum barker.
(7) Indoor workplace that carry out work involving the chipping of wood by using wood chipper.
(8) Indoor workplace that carry out work involving the manufacture of paper by multi-cylindrical paper machine.

(Attached Table 2)

(1) Workplace that carry out work involving the tightening and removal of bolts and nuts by using impact wrench, nut runner, electric driver, etc.
(2) Workplace that carry work involving the polishing of metal by shot blast.
(3) Workplace that carry out work involving grinding or polishing the surface of metal by using portable grinder, belt grinder, chipping hammer, etc.
(4) Workplace that carry out work involving the bending, folding, shearing, etc., of steel by using motive-power press (excluding hydraulic press and press break).
(5) Workplace that carry out work involving the continuous cutting of steel by shear.
(6) Workplace that carry out work involving the continuous manufacturing of nails, bolts, etc., by cutting steel wire by motive power.
(7) Workplace that carry out work involving the casting of cast products, alloy products, etc., by melting metal.
(8) Workplace that carry out work involving the fusing of steel by high-pressure oxygen gas.
(9) Workplace that carry out work involving the conveyance, etc., of steel, metal products, etc., by using roller.
(10) Workplace that carry out work involving the conveyance of dry raw materials for glass manufacturing by using vibrating feeder.
(11) Workplace that carry out work involving the inspecting of steel pipes on skids.
(12) Workplace that carry out work involving the coiling of steel sheets and wire by motive-power winding machine.
(13) Workplace that carry out work involving the striking or casting of metal by using hammer.
(14) Workplace that carry out work involving the spraying of molten metal by using compressed air.
(15) Workplace that carry out work involving the removal of scratches on the surface of metal by gas burner.
(16) Workplace that carry out work involving the cutting of metal by using circular saw.
(17) Workplace that carry out work involving operations to test internal combustion engines at engine manufacturing plants or repair factory.
(18) Workplace that carry out work involving sharpening the teeth of saw by using rotating whetstone operated by motive power.
(19) Workplace that carry out work involving the forming of sand molds by using impact-type molder.
(20) Workplace that carry out work involving tamping operations using table vibrator in the process of concrete panel manufacturing, etc.
(21) Workplace that carry out work involving the removal of castings from sand molds by using vibrating extractor.
(22) Workplace that carry out work involving exfoliating gaskets by motive power.
(23) Workplace that carry out work involving the manufacturing, filling, cooling, labeling, washing, etc., of bottles, tin cans, etc.
(24) Workplace that carry out work involving extruding and cutting plastic by using injection-casting machine.
(25) Workplace that carry out work involving the mixing of raw materials, etc., for plastic manufacturing by motive power.
(26) Workplace that carry out work involving the sorting of soybeans by motive-power machine in the manufacturing process for soybean paste.
(27) Workplace that carry out work involving the kneading of rubber by using roller.
(28) Workplace that carry out work involving the braiding of fiber linings inside hoses by braiding machine in the process of manufacturing rubber hoses.
(29) Workplace that carry out work involving the weaving of raw filaments such as glass fiber, etc., by using weaving machine.
(30) Workplace that carry out work involving the manufacturing of twisted yarn or processed thread by using high-speed rotation machines such as two for one twister (twisting machine).
(31) Workplace that carry out work involving the forming of paper cups by using cup-forming machine.
(32) Workplace that carry out work involving the casting of printing type by using monotypes, caster, etc.
(33) Workplace that carry out work involving the manufacturing of corrugated cardboard by using corrugation machine.
(34) Workplace that carry out work involving continuously bending or cutting raw paper, corrugated cardboard, etc., by motive power.
(35) Workplace that carry out work involving printing by high-speed rotary press.
(36) Workplace that carry out work involving the inspection of steel pipes by high-pressure water.
(37) Workplace that carry out work involving the trimming of excess flash from IC packages by using high-pressure equipment.
(38) Workplace that carry out work involving the selection, picking, exfoliating, drying, etc., of products or intermediate products by using compressed-air blower.
(39) Workplace that carry out work involving the use of drying equipment.
(40) Workplace that carry out work involving the use of electric furnace, boiler or air compressor.
(41) Workplace that carry out work involving power generation by diesel engine.
(42) Workplace that carry out work involving the manufacturing, processing, conveying or moving of products or intermediate products by the concentrated use of multiple machines.
(43) Workplace that carry out work involving the crushing or breaking rocks or minerals into pieces by using motive power.
(44) Workplace that carry out work involving the sifting of soil and gravel by using vibrating screen.
(45) Workplace that carry out work involving the cutting of stone by cutter.
(46) Workplace that carry out work inside shafts involving excavation or loading by using vehicle-type construction machine.
(47) Workplace that carry out work involving the use of handheld motive-power tools operated by compressed air, such as rock drill, caulking hammer, scaling hammer, concrete breaker, etc.
(48) Workplace that carry out work involving the cutting of road pavement asphalt, etc., by using concrete cutter.
(49) Workplace that carry out work involving tree cutting, plant pruning, etc., by using chain saw or motive-power pruning cutter.
(50) Workplace that carry out work involving the cutting of wood by using processing machine such as circular saw and band saw.
(51) Workplace that carry out work involving the debarking of logs by using water-pressure barker or head barker.
(52) Workplace that carry out work involving aircraft guiding, fueling, luggage loading, etc., at airport gates or tarmac areas.