Quieter Jackhammers

Quieter jackhammers are breakers with mufflers that reduce noise exposure during concrete or pavement demolition.

Risks Addressed:

Over time, exposure to noise levels at or above 85 decibels will lead to permanent hearing loss. The NIOSH recommended exposure limit (REL) for occupational noise is 85 decibels on an A-weighted scale as an 8-hour time weighted average. OSHA limits noise exposure to 90 decibels, also on an A-weighted scale and as an 8-hour time weighted average (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1998). A-weighting is an adjustment that gives lower frequencies less weight or significance than higher frequencies. An A-weighted sound level more closely resembles the human ear’s response to noise.

The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) assigned noise a Threshold Limit Value (TLV) of 85 dBA as an 8-hour time weighted average. Exposure to 88 dBA is limited to 4 hours, exposure to 91 dBA is limited to 2 hours, exposure to 94 dBA is limited to 1 hour and so on. (ACGIH, 2011).

TLVs for Noise

 

Duration per Day

Sound Level (dBA)

Hours

24

80

16

82

8

85

4

88

2

91

1

94

Minutes

30

97

15

100

7.50

103

3.75

106

1.88

109

0.94

112

Noise exposure has also been associated with temporary hearing loss, perception of noisiness and masking, increased stress, fatigue, disturbance of sleep and decreased concentration and mental performance (Osada, 1988).  Noise-induced hearing loss starts in the higher frequencies (3,000 to 6,000 Hz) and slowly develops from chronic exposure to excessive sound. Sound must exert a shearing force on the hair cells lining the inner ear in order to be perceived, and if the force is too strong, cell damage and cell death can occur (Berger et al., 2003).

The Nonprofit Risk Management Center states that typical jackhammer noise emissions are around 130 decibels (Hearing Protection, 2008).

How Risks are Reduced:

These jackhammers are muffled, or silenced to reduce the sound level of the tool, measured in decibels on an A-weighted scale (dBA). Pneumatic or electric jackhammers use an internal hammer to strike the back of the bit, known as the shank or chuck, which impacts the concrete or pavement. The hammer striking the bit is the main source of noise created by the tool, and mufflers or silencers help to absorb or block the sound at the source before it reaches the ears of workers.

Availability

Makita HM1810 Breaker Hammer
To obtain information, visit http://www.makita.com or contact 1-800-462-5482

Atlas Copco Breaker Hammers
contact 1-800-732-6762

Sullair Breaker Hammers
contact 1-800-785-5247 sullaircompressors@sullair.com

Chicago Pneumatic Breaker Hammers
To obtain information, visit https://www.cp.com/en or contact 1-800-760-4049