Developing and Implementing a Corporate Buy-Quiet Strategy

On-the-ground lessons from NASA Beth Cooper, PE INCE.Bd.Cert. Fellow INCE/USA

NASA Glenn Research Center

Buy-Quiet concept

Control the noise, not the exposureControlling the noise controls the exposureBuy-Quiet

Buy new equipment that is “quiet”Manufacturer assumes financial and design risk

Quiet-by-DesignDesign new systems that are “quiet” The requesting organization (your company) is the “manufacturer” for in-house designs

Two fundamental questions

Why create a low-noise workplace?Why is it so important to buy quiet equipment instead of buying equipment without regard for noise emissions and THEN trying to make it quiet?(See me if you need answers!)

Won’t it cost more to Buy Quiet?

Maybe, but less than the long-term cost of a hearing conservation program

Noise exposure monitoring Audiometric monitoringAudiogram review and follow-upHearing conservation trainingPersonal hearing protective devicesRecordkeepingProgram managementRequired retrofit noise control solutions

Won’t it cost more to Buy Quiet?

. . . plus the costs of inevitable hearing lossHearing loss claims (Workers’ Compensation cost)Lifetime medical follow-upHearing aids and batteries

Quantifying these costs is essential for effective advocacy

Most manufacturers can offer manufacturer-supplied controls for nominal productDemand increases supply (think IT and consumer product industries)

Is “low-noise” equipment available?

Benefits of structured BQ process

An official corporate position sends a messageNASA’s program has been widely notedNIOSH is incorporating our Roadmap

Publicly visible programs create a precedentThe existence of one program helps launch othersOne company’s program fuels another’s advocacyNASA Roadmap reflects best external programs

Some vendors won’t quote low-noise products unless formally requestedFormal specifications level the field

Voluntary product noise labeling is crucial!

Establish a low-noise workplaceReduce noise-induced hearing loss Improve safety and productivity

Influence NASA workforce to be proactiveFind, evaluate and select low-noise productsDesign low-noise equipment and systems

Harmonize with infrastructure and cultureGovernment procurement mechanismsSite-specific operations and culture

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NASA Buy-Quiet Program goals

NASA Agency-wide requirementsEach field center must develop and implement a center-specific program to:

“Include noise emissions with technical and performance criteria when purchasing or designing new equipment that is expected to generate noise emission levels of concern for hearing conservation (80 dBA and above).”

Noise emissions shall be considered equallywith all other requirements.

Language intentionally left vague to allow Centers to develop site-specific programs

Implementation challengesfor Buy-Quiet Program

Diversity in operations, culture across CentersResponsibility distributed throughout Center Advocacy and training are major tasks

Technical content outside EH&S scope of practiceProgram “users” (requestors) are outside EH&SCenters have multiple contractors and tenantsStakeholders are unfamiliar or skeptical (or both)

Contractor compliance must be monitoredCan only “suggest” without a contract requirement

Senior management enforcement is critical

Meeting the BQ requirementImplementation must be site-specific

Organization, communications, and proceduresHQ-provided program/tech supportResponsible POC in each EH&S organizationSeries of six-month steps established by HQPeriodic (~6 mo) status review teleconsVideo and conference training sessionsFrequent meeting presentations and updatesEnforcement via HQ audit team site visits

Checklists mirror goals discussed in status reviews

Implementation steps towarddevelopment of site-specific programs

1. Identify POC and EH&S internal team2. Modify site-specific policy document3. Conduct series of awareness briefings4. Develop cross-functional team5. Develop internal detailed procedures6. Include Contractor organizations7. Conduct “how-to” briefings on procedures8. Implement Buy-Quiet Process Roadmap

Buy-Quiet ProcessRequestor researches and identifies achievable noise emission criterion that supports noise exposure criterionNoise emission criterion (limit) language included in specificationSubmittal data required prior to purchaseSelection considers cost and noise emissionShop verification test before shipmentField verification test after installation

Proactive and innovative approach

More than policy and directivesProvide education, guidance and tools

Applicable beyond NASA and contractor programsAssume National leadership role for NASA

Join NIOSH, Federal agencies, Armed ServicesEarly member of NIOSH PtD planning team (2006)

Set example for corporate programsContribute to the state of the art

Equipment noise emission measurementsVoluntary product noise labeling effort (INCE)

NASA Buy-Quiet Process RoadmapWeb-based tool Provides stepwise process guidanceDeveloped for NASA but applicable externallyTechnical content by Nelson Acoustics; web design and content editing by Gelfand DesignIncorporates best practices from corporate, military, government programsIncorporates manufacturer–provided data on availability and cost of low-noise equipmentContributions from 20+ organizations*

Buy-Quiet Process RoadmapKey external contributors

Baltimore AircoilUnited TechnologiesCaterpillarCiscoHoneywellHewlett PackardIngersoll RandToroCarrierExxonMobil

Colgate PalmoliveTrane3MBecton DickinsonGeneral MotorsAir ForceNavyNational Park ServiceNIOSH

NASA Buy-Quiet Process RoadmapKey features

Relevant to hearing-conservation scenariosConsiders community noise impact

Leads user through step-wise processIncludes customizable specification templateAuthorization forms promote responsibledepartures from process“Cost of noise” calculation calculates net present value of long-term exposure

Can compare equipment differing in noise and costTotal $ = purchase $ + long-term noise exposure $

Getting there . . .

Low-noise product design is possibleManufacturers must advertise quiet products“Level playing field” promotes competitionCorporate consumers (we) must be proactiveDemand will increase supplyProduct noise labeling initiative in progressSuccessful corporate programs do existResources, models and help are available!