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NOISE ENGINEERING DESIGN
When hearing protection and administrative controls cannot be employed to reduce noise exposures, EI’s engineering team assists our industrial clients in the identification and design of noise engineering controls. Engineering controls for excessive noise can be developed for isolated pieces of manufacturing equipment or entire industrial process lines. Initial steps require performing sounds level facility surveys and personnel noise dosimeter monitoring of manufacturing personnel by experienced industrial hygienists. Noise monitoring results are utilized to determine specific sources of excessive noise, as well as the mechanism of sound generation/propagation emitted by the excessive noise source. Multiple sources of noise will subsequently be “rank ordered”, which will allow for a range of possible engineering controls, typically addressing the loudest sound sources first. EI’s professionals segregate excessive noise sources into two distinct classes, vibrational noise and noise turbulence.
Once all specific noise sources are identified, EI utilizes the following logical approach to determine the optimal systems to reduce/control excessive noise:
- Substitution of equipment (fundamental first step)
- Categorization of source into vibrational noise and turbulence-based noise
- Reduction of driving forces which cause excessive noise
a. Decreasing machine speed
b. Maintaining dynamic balance
c. Provide vibrational isolation
d. Increasing impact duration, while reducing the force of impact - Reduce response of vibrating surfaces
- Reduce area of vibrating surfaces
- Reorienting directional noise sources
- Reduction in velocity of fluid flow (air ejection systems, valves, vents and piping)
- Provide sound absorption alternatives
- Design and installation of equipment and personnel noise enclosures
Let EI’s team of industrial hygienists and engineers work collaboratively to identify and provide cost-effective engineering solutions aimed at reducing exposure of your workforce to excessive noise.
IN NEED OF OUR SERVICES?

EI’s commitment to service has been amply demonstrated on past projects. Yet again, this commitment has been clearly demonstrated by nimble agility of short notice staff scheduling. The dedicated professionals of The EI Group have exceeded our expectations.

Identifying the Need for a Facility Environmental Compliance Audit
Just about any facility that takes raw materials to make something has unwanted byproducts in the form of air emissions, residuals in wastewaters, and materials disposed of as solid and sometimes hazardous wastes. Federal, state, and local rules govern handling, management, and control of pollution from these and other “discharges”. Determining which rules and requirements apply and keeping up with the controls, monitoring, testing, and recordkeeping are not always straightforward tasks.

Addition of PFAS Chemicals to Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Reporting for CY 2020
Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) requires owners/operators of facilities, with 10 or more full-time equivalent employees with covered operations meeting certain North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes, to submit a Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Form A or Form R for each TRI-listed chemical manufactured, processed, or otherwise used in quantities above reporting thresholds by July 1 each year.

Onsite Occupational COVID Testing Methodologies -Breaking the Chain in 2021 During Vaccination and Post Vaccination
During 2020, occupational screening to identify potential COVID-19 carriers was limited to monitoring employee body temperature in conjunction with administration of a questionnaire aimed at identifying employees who exhibited coronavirus symptoms (headache, loss taste/smell, sore throat, cough or gastrointestinal issues) or workers who had close contact with a potential coronavirus carrier.

It’s Simply the Rules: Part II
A roofer was inspecting along the edge of a roof three stories above the ground in preparation for replacing damaged shingles. His foot slipped and, having no fall protection, he fell to the concrete sidewalk below sustaining fatal head injuries. The ensuing OSHA investigation resulted in no citations because there had been no violation committed.

It’s Simply the Rules: Part I
I was conducting a 3 year audit of a client’s injury and illness recordkeeping and ran across a very unusual case which had not recorded on the company’s OSHA 300 Log. Not sure myself, I called OSHA on behalf of the client to get a verbal interpretation. I was told the case should indeed be recorded on the Log.

EPA RCRA Enforcement Priorities to Continue in 2021
Although this is not a hot take, we were reminded during a recent RCRA workshop that National Compliance Initiatives (NCI) established for 2020-2023 will remain on the EPA’s (and State’s) priority lists for 2021. Given a change in the administration, the priority may be heightened.

Five Lessons from the Pandemic that Perfectly Demonstrate the Challenges of Establishing a Safety Culture
Like almost everyone else with whom I come into contact (six feet between, of course), I have grown exhausted of COVID-19 and the constraints it places on how I live and work. My role as an EHS professional is already demanding, regardless of world health conditions, and the latest recommendations from the CDC only add to my never-ending list of daily considerations and responsibilities.

Norm Abram, Van Halen and the Importance of Reading the Manual
Being a long-time woodworker, I was always a big fan of Norm Abrams and his show, The New Yankee Workshop. One thing you could always count on was Norm, before powering up a table saw or any other shop equipment, would implore his viewers to “be sure to read, understand and follow the safety instructions that come with your power tools.” It doesn’t make any difference what the equipment is; forklift, aerial lift, scissor lift, hard hat, respirator, etc., manufacturers all advise potential users to read the instructions that accompanied the equipment.

Is Virtual Learning the Best Option? EHS Training in the Time of COVID-19
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to alter most aspects of business operations, questions surrounding the best options for employee training persist. Does it make more sense to complete training online or are classes with in-person trainers preferred when offered safely?

EI to Speak at Virtual 19th Annual NCMA EEHS School September 29th thru 30th
The pandemic has disrupted life as we know it and caused restrictions on public gatherings. How can Environmental, Energy, Health & Safety professionals learn from each other, and exchange ideas? For 2020, The North Carolina Manufacturers Associations (NCMA) is hosting its Environmental Energy Health & Safety (EEHS) School as a virtual event.