A noise study involves measuring the noise levels across an entire plant or a particular area to determine areas that are noisy. The purpose of a survey is to determine whether employees are subjected to workplace noise levels over the exposure limits established under the laws (in the UK The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005) or the limits that are set by the business. It is important to note that the UK isn’t the only one in this regard and that many nations have developed workplace standards for ensuring that the typical degree at which employees are exposed for an eight hour day doesn’t exceed 85dB(A).
Why should you conduct the noise survey?
Surveys of noise provide useful information that allows a security professional to recognize:
Locations where employees are most susceptible to being exposed dangerous levels of noise
Equipment and machines that produce dangerous levels of noise
Operatives that could be exposed to unacceptably loud levels
The survey is best conducted in a place in which noise could cause harm, such as the example of in a workshop or an assembly line. The majority of times the survey will involve taking measurements of noise levels using the aid of a sound level gauge. The readings of noise levels are recorded at a suitable number of points in the vicinity of the noisy zone. A noise map is created using lines drawn on a drawing between locations with equal sound levels They provide valuable information, allowing you to clearly identify areas where there are dangers from noise.
What’s the purpose of conducting a noise study?
Noise can be measured with the sound level meter that displays SPLs (SPLs) at dB(A) as well as the maximum noise level that is reached, called the sound pressure at its peak measured in Pascal (Pa).
There are two main kinds of sound meter: directly and in-built reading meters. Meters that combine the readings provide an average for a certain amount of time. This is an important method to use when there are significant variations in the levels of sound. This is referred to in the form of the constant equivalent noise, or Leq, which is usually calculated or normalised over an 8-hour period.
The sound level meter or any other noise measurement device, has to be calibrated prior to and following every measurement session. To measure the sound level gauge is kept at arm’s reach at the height of your ear for people who are exposed to sound. Be sure to take a measurement for each ear!
In assessing the possibility of hearing loss the microphone’s position must remain as near as is possible close to the ears of the worker to benefit from the data on noise exposure is being analyzed. For those who work in a stationary position the microphone should be placed over shoulders or close as it is feasible. If the worker is in a standing posture the microphone must be placed at least 1.5 meters over the ground. In addition, if the worker is sitting the microphone should be placed at a height of 1 one metre over the ground.
In work environments that have impulse and intermittent levels of noise (but even in the cases when the worker’s movements are not monitored or accompanied) The sound level meter isn’t meant to calculate the average exposure of a person to noise for the duration of the shift or even a part of their shift. One option is to utilize a noise dosemeter , also referred to in the form of Personal Sound Exposure Meter (PSEM) that is worn on the shoulders of the person being monitored and record the noise exposure and then statistically determining noise across similar exposure categories. The noise dosemeter can be used for just a day or over a couple of working days , based on the consistency of daily tasks. In this situation there is no requirement for the person in charge of measuring the noise to be present. Data from the noise measurement will be gathered and downloaded to be analyzed at the end of the measurement time.
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