Download pdf - Workplace Noise Monitoring _ Workplace Noise Assessment

7272019 Workplace Noise Monitoring _ Workplace Noise Assessment

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93013 Workplace Noise Monitoring | Workplace Noise Assessment

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Workplace Noise Monitoring

Environmental Nois e

Construction Noise

Entertainment Noise

Vehicle Noise

Level in decibels lsquoArsquo frequency weighted Actions required to meet the regulations

Areas always lt 75dB Brief risk as ses sm ent only ndash no other action

Areas between 75 amp 85dB for a proportion of the time Initial survey using an Leq m eter or dosemeter

Areas where levels are likely to give an 8 hour exposure of

80dB(A) or more

A full survey with clear identification of levels amp

corresponding actions ideally with noise sources listed

and personal exposure estimates for all workers likely to

be at risk from noise induced hearing loss

Pulsar gt Applications gt Workplace Noise Monitoring

Workplace Noise Monitoring

Workplace Noise Assessment

Workplace noise monitoring is an interesting subject that can appear

complex but it is always worth rem embering what you are trying to

achieve This can be summarised as

ldquoldquoMinimis ing or avoiding the risk of noise-induced hearing los s in the

workplace to comply with local noise-based legis lationrdquordquo

Such legislation is usually based on a European Directive that is thenmodified to suit the needs of each particular country For example in theUnited Kingdom the lsquoThe Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005rsquo arebased on the European Union Directive 200310EC usually called ldquoThe physical agents (noise)rdquo directive and expanded upon b y the Health ampSafety Executive

In the UK research estimates that over 2 m illion people are exposed to

noise levels at work that may be harmful The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (Noise Regulations 2005) require

employers to prevent or reduce risks to health and safety from exposure to noise at work It is worth noting that employees

have duties under the Regulations too

How to protect the workers and meet the regulations

The first action should be to obtain and read your national regulations and any advice leaflet In the UK both can be found in

the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) booklet L108 lsquoControlling noise in the workplace This gives excellent and accurate

advice in clearly marked sections The data in the HSE booklet applies all over the European Union and is one of the best

guides available in the English language

Firstly you need to establish if you do or do not have a noise problem in each of your main areas or work zones There are

a number of simple rules to determine this (click link here or see article below) However to be absolutely safe even if you

are sure you do not have a noise problem you would be advised to perform and document some sim ple noise

measurements to provide long term evidence of your basic workplace noise ass essment

Employers who do not realise how serious indus trial deafness is and who m ay have inadvertently ignored the regulations

may be facing significant claims in future by employees for nois e-induced hearing loss There is no way of bringing back

the hearing of workers affected but future claims can be avoided by limiting the exposure to nois e of s taff

A calibrated easy to operate noise or sound meter such as the Model 14 Model 82A Assessor or Models 41 amp 42 from the

Pulsar Nova range would be an ideal choice to simplify the task of performing a basic nois e assessment

As a crude guide if you are in an area where the noise is intrusive b ut normal conversation is possib le this would have a probab le noise leve l of around 80dB(A) If people are work ing in this environment for 6 hours or more you would need tocarry out a formal risk assessment If you need to shout at someone who is about 2 m away and this noise level occurs for 2 or more hours per day you need to carry out a formal risk assessment

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Noise Risk Assessment survey ndash the basics

In Europe once you have established that you have employees that are likely to receive an exposure of 80dB(A) or above

you need to carry out a formal workplace noise monitoring survey

To start you need to m easure the nois e levels and for this there are two equally acceptable methods The first is by

measuring noise levels using an integrating s ound level meter and subs equently calculating exposure levels bas ed on the

duration of exposure to each noise source The second uses a noise dosemeter now better now as a Personal Sound

Exposure Meter or PSEM to measure the noise exposure of each individual

Pulsar Instruments Plc makes both types of ins trumentation and leaves the decision to the user Each method has its

advantages but you need to decide which method is bes t suited to your specific task Should you need any help please

contact one of our technical team who will be pleas ed to offer you advice and guidance Often a combination of approaches

gives the best results For this reason Pulsar has introduced its bespoke ldquoSafety Profess ionals kitrdquo

Sound Level Meter method

The guide requires an instrument that has the following minimum characteristics

lsquoArsquo frequency weighted Leq (time-average noise level)

lsquoCrsquo frequency weighted Peak around 140dB (LCpk)

At least IEC 61672 Class 2 accuracy

Each instrument within our Asses sor range has a special lsquoready reckoner exposure

tablersquo which is dis played after each measurement to help you It also provides a lsquosettledrsquo indicator to help you decide when

the average nois e level has stabilised Please note the formal symbol for A-frequency-weighted Leq as defined in IEC

61672 is LAT but the use of Leq has become accepted The Pulsar Nova range such as Models 43 and Model 44 offer

such funtions and are recommended for occupational hygiene and industrial noise measurement

Dosemeter or PSEM Method

To use a PSEM or noise dosemeter the setting-up is sim ilar to that of a sound level meter The batteries m ust be charged

and the unit mus t be calibrated before the measurem ent The PSEM is then fixed to the worker as near to the ear as

convenient and set running In the case of the Pulsar dos eBadge simply point the Reader unit with its infra-red

communication at the badge and pres s the lsquoStartrsquo button

At the end of the working s hift the badge is s topped by press ing the lsquoStoprsquo button on the Reader unit The doseBadge is

then removed from the worker and the data in each badge is downloaded to the Reader where it is now available to

inspect The data can also be transferred onto a PC using the Pulsar s oftware programme (dBlink3) provided allowing

you to analyse efficiently and report on the meas urement

A key benefit of the doseBadge system is that it gives the full time his tory of both lsquoArsquo weighted Leq and lsquoCrsquo weighted Peak

This allows you to get a much clearer picture about real work patterns rather than each workerrsquos s ubjective ldquoopinionrdquo as to

the levels

Time history of a full working day using the Model 22 doseBadge and dBlink software

What do we need to measure

In the industry two different noise metrics are used to determine the risk from noise The main one effectively represents

the overall energy or the ldquoamountrdquo of the noise and is des cribed by LAeq and expressed as the continuous equivalent level

(the average noise level) while the other represents the absolute highes t pressure occurring called the PEAK value

described by LCpk or LZpk

Both the average value and the peak level are needed as while mos t hearing damage occurs as a result of noise exposure

over a long period a single very high value impulse can also cause dam age

The lsquoenergyrsquo metric in Europe is legally defined in terms of LEX8h the average level over an 8-hour daily period In the UK

this is still called the LEPd (daily exposure level) but both are essentially the same thing Officially LEX8h or LEPd is the

Leq (or average level) normalised to an 8 hour working day Different actions need to be taken at different levels but from

2006 there has als o been the introduction of the new 87dB(A) legal limit which was a major shift in policy





Model 30 ~ PPE Instrument Color Coded

Measures to be taken when the Exposure Value is 80dB(A) or above

Identify all the employees affected

Inform all emp loyees of the potential risk to hearing

Publish results

Fit signs recomm ending the use of Hearing Protection

Provide a choice of appropriate hearing protectors on reques t

Provide adequate education training to meet these requirements

Measures to be taken when the Exposure Level is 85dB(A) or above

Areas concerned mus t be marked out and appropriate warning signs displayed

Personal Hearing protectors must be worn in these zones

An Audiom etric Health Surveillance Program m ust be es tablished

The exposure of employees m ust be reduced as far as reasonably practicable

Noise s hould be controlled at source (Engineering solutions Insulation Absorbent Lining Enclosures etc)

lsquoExposure Limit ValuersquoLegal limit of 87dB(A) over 8 hours

87dB(A) is the maximum permissible nois e level exposure to actually impinge on the exposed personrsquos ear (including the

use of hearing protection)

Do I need to make any additional measurements

Once you have determined that noisy areas are generating dangerous exposure levels to

workers you need to initially prescribe hearing protection You then need to carry out a

measurement of lsquoCrsquo weighted Leq and or a 11 Octave Band Analysis

lsquoCrsquo weighted Leq SNR method

lsquoCrsquo minus lsquoArsquo weighted Leq HML method

11 Octave Band Analysis Octave Band method

Most hearing protection packages contain data for SNR HML and Octave Band values These

can be used in conjunction with your measurements to prescribe suitable personal protection

equipment (PPE) matched to your actual noise

A Simple to useHSE Spreadsheet Style Calculator

A sound level meter which measures octaves exists in two forms a REAL TIME ANALYSER or RTA such as the Pulsar

Model 30 where each octave is m easured s imultaneously or the serial method where each octave is m easured one at a

time such as with the Pulsar Assessor Model 84 for example From the 11 Octave Band data it is poss ible to calculate

results manually or it can be done automatically by using the excellent Pulsar Analyser s oftware The software contains a

database of hearing protection so that the level at the ear is automatically calculated by the software Also check our latest

Pulsar Nova Models 45 amp 46 that offer real time 11 octave band filters as standard

Field Calibration

Most legis lation requires you to lsquofield calibratersquo your sound level meter or

PSEM before and after each meas urement ses sion

If it is correct both before and after the readings you have an excellent chance

it was correct during them and the instrument or more especially the

microphone has not been accidentally damaged Pulsar Acoustic Calibra tor

Models 105 and 106 are the correct units for all these s ound level meters and

they have formal legal European Pattern Approval Many users are careless

about such routine calibration but it is essential for compliance with the

legislation so always note that you have done this field calibration in the

report

The Model 22 doseBadge system has an integral calibrator in the Reader unit

making calibration a straightforward task

Note In the older standards such as IEC 60651 and 60804 meters wereclassified as lsquoType 1rsquo and lsquoType 2rsquo but in the new standard IEC 61672 they aredefined as Class 1 and Class 2

Further Action





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Read more raquo

Close x

Follow us on Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Sitemap Glossary copy2013 Pulsar Instruments plc

Clearly the best thing to do is to reduce the noise AT SOURCE by screening machines slowing them down changing

technology or any of the many ways available In many situations this ideal is not poss ible to achieve and the reality is that

hearing protection will have to be employed

A Full Survey will include full details of all the nois y processes in other words mapping the various noise s ources

determining the people exposed and the various levels all obvious matters The subsequent report should include

immediate actions needed ndash such as introducing ear defenders - as well as longer term noise reduction strategies It is

clear that in any noisy space the loudest noise m easured m ust be us ed for everyone in the vicinity unless a sepa rate

measurement is taken at each workerrsquos location Such a separate measurem ent is eas ily done with a PSEM

Who should measure

In the UK a lsquocompetent personrsquo should do it One way to become a lsquocompetent personrsquo is to attend a s hort course typically

four days in length under the auspices of the Institute of Acoustics These are excellent and after a short examination they

offer formal certification

Pulsar Instruments Plc offers a ldquoOne Dayrdquo noise course written and presented by members of the Institute of Acoustics that

focuses on the basics of noise at work current regulations basic survey advice noise control and the correct use of noise

measurement equipment In motoring terms it is a course for drivers not mechanics

DatasheetControlling Noise in the Workplace - 5 Steps

back





Noise Risk Assessment survey ndash the basics

In Europe once you have established that you have employees that are likely to receive an exposure of 80dB(A) or above

you need to carry out a formal workplace noise monitoring survey

To start you need to m easure the nois e levels and for this there are two equally acceptable methods The first is by

measuring noise levels using an integrating s ound level meter and subs equently calculating exposure levels bas ed on the

duration of exposure to each noise source The second uses a noise dosemeter now better now as a Personal Sound

Exposure Meter or PSEM to measure the noise exposure of each individual

Pulsar Instruments Plc makes both types of ins trumentation and leaves the decision to the user Each method has its

advantages but you need to decide which method is bes t suited to your specific task Should you need any help please

contact one of our technical team who will be pleas ed to offer you advice and guidance Often a combination of approaches

gives the best results For this reason Pulsar has introduced its bespoke ldquoSafety Profess ionals kitrdquo

Sound Level Meter method

The guide requires an instrument that has the following minimum characteristics

lsquoArsquo frequency weighted Leq (time-average noise level)

lsquoCrsquo frequency weighted Peak around 140dB (LCpk)

At least IEC 61672 Class 2 accuracy

Each instrument within our Asses sor range has a special lsquoready reckoner exposure

tablersquo which is dis played after each measurement to help you It also provides a lsquosettledrsquo indicator to help you decide when

the average nois e level has stabilised Please note the formal symbol for A-frequency-weighted Leq as defined in IEC

61672 is LAT but the use of Leq has become accepted The Pulsar Nova range such as Models 43 and Model 44 offer

such funtions and are recommended for occupational hygiene and industrial noise measurement

Dosemeter or PSEM Method

To use a PSEM or noise dosemeter the setting-up is sim ilar to that of a sound level meter The batteries m ust be charged

and the unit mus t be calibrated before the measurem ent The PSEM is then fixed to the worker as near to the ear as

convenient and set running In the case of the Pulsar dos eBadge simply point the Reader unit with its infra-red

communication at the badge and pres s the lsquoStartrsquo button

At the end of the working s hift the badge is s topped by press ing the lsquoStoprsquo button on the Reader unit The doseBadge is

then removed from the worker and the data in each badge is downloaded to the Reader where it is now available to

inspect The data can also be transferred onto a PC using the Pulsar s oftware programme (dBlink3) provided allowing

you to analyse efficiently and report on the meas urement

A key benefit of the doseBadge system is that it gives the full time his tory of both lsquoArsquo weighted Leq and lsquoCrsquo weighted Peak

This allows you to get a much clearer picture about real work patterns rather than each workerrsquos s ubjective ldquoopinionrdquo as to

the levels

Time history of a full working day using the Model 22 doseBadge and dBlink software

What do we need to measure

In the industry two different noise metrics are used to determine the risk from noise The main one effectively represents

the overall energy or the ldquoamountrdquo of the noise and is des cribed by LAeq and expressed as the continuous equivalent level

(the average noise level) while the other represents the absolute highes t pressure occurring called the PEAK value

described by LCpk or LZpk

Both the average value and the peak level are needed as while mos t hearing damage occurs as a result of noise exposure

over a long period a single very high value impulse can also cause dam age

The lsquoenergyrsquo metric in Europe is legally defined in terms of LEX8h the average level over an 8-hour daily period In the UK

this is still called the LEPd (daily exposure level) but both are essentially the same thing Officially LEX8h or LEPd is the

Leq (or average level) normalised to an 8 hour working day Different actions need to be taken at different levels but from

2006 there has als o been the introduction of the new 87dB(A) legal limit which was a major shift in policy









Publish results






























Field Calibration










report




Further Action






Read more raquo

Close x










Who should measure








back









Publish results






























Field Calibration










report




Further Action






Read more raquo

Close x










Who should measure








back






Read more raquo

Close x










Who should measure








back