Buy Quiet is a prevention-through-design (PtD) initiative that calls for purchasing quieter tools to not only minimize all life-cycle costs but also reduce the operator’s risk of noise exposure.

Some companies may implement hearing conservation program (HCP) elements including annual audiograms, training and providing hearing protection equipment for affected employees (Figure 1).  However a Buy Quiet Program enhances these activities by reducing or even eliminating the need for other HCP elements.  When noise levels can be reduced to below 85 dBA on a time-weighted average, Buy Quiet Programs have the potential not only to be more effective in protecting workers’ hearing but can also be cost-effective in the long-run.

Figure 1. Hearing protective equipment (Photo courtesy of ELCOSH)

Buy Quiet is also a cost-effective PtD solution, since many companies do not have adequate resources (e.g., financial resources and technical expertise) to retrofit noisy tools currently in use.  Ultimately, buying quieter tools is often more effective and economically beneficial than implementing noise control practices after the fact.

As part of a broader “hearing loss prevention program,” NIOSH has provided material for contractors concerning the importance and cost-effectiveness of Buy Quiet and how to implement this program.  NIOSH is leading the effort (via its power tools database) to make noise-level data for different tools and equipment available to those purchasing/renting tools.  The database consists of downloadable sound level recordings of various tools to help companies make procurement decisions (Figure 2:  https://wwwn.cdc.gov/niosh-sound-vibration/).  A power tool rated only 3 dBA lower than a tool currently in use will cut the noise energy level in half.

Figure 2. NIOSH power tool database (Photo Courtesy of NIOSH)

NIOSH also suggests that purchasers keep a noise-level inventory of existing tools and equipment within their companies to be compared with the noise emission levels of new tools prior to purchase. NIOSH is working to drive wider future adoption of engineering controls for noise hazards by motivating the construction industry to develop and begin Buy Quiet programs. In addition, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) also has developed the “Buy Quiet Road Map,” a program that identifies and describes various low-noise-emission tools and equipment to be used in hearing conservation programs. (Visit http://buyquietroadmap.com).

In conclusion, Buy Quiet is the most strategic way to minimize life-cycle costs because (1) noise is often a waste byproduct and an indication of an inefficient process (i.e., lower noise designs reflect better engineering); (2) investment in retrofit control is not cost effective; and (3) low-noise designs are environmentally friendly and ergonomically superior (American Society of Safety engineers website: http://www.asse.org/professionalaffairs/ptd/). Generally, by prioritizing the purchase of quieter equipment, the contractor can improve safety and encourage equipment manufacturers to make sound-emission information available in product descriptions.

Buy Quiet is beneficial for any company whose workers are in danger of noise-induced hearing loss. Buying quieter power tools and equipment is oftentimes the least costly solution, considering the entire life cycle cost of tools, possible workers’ compensation claims, lifetime medical follow-up, costs associated with hearing conservation programs, lost productivity, and costs of hearing aids and other healthcare expenses. By conservative estimate, companies can save a substantial amount of money per decibel of noise reduction by buying quieter tools and equipment (Nelson D., 2011). It is entirely possible for the cost of the noise controls to be recouped through a reduction in other costs such as hearing-loss-related claims, improved productivity and improved communication.

The Buy Quiet Roadmap also provides a worksheet to estimate the long-term net value of using the Buy Quiet solution versus the anticipated cost of noise-induced hearing loss (visit http://buyquietroadmap.com/buy-quiet-purchasing/buy-quiet-process-roadmap/forms-worksheets/economic-benefit-of-noise-control/).

Sogand Hasanzadeh, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Behzad Esmaeili, Ph.D., George Mason University

Pouya Gholizadeh, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

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