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Noise Monitoring/Survey
Noise monitoring/noise dosimetry is the process of evaluating noise levels [typically in decibels (dB) on an A-weighted (A) scale] to ensure that these levels are within the specified Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations (e.g., the permissible exposure limit, PEL & action level, AL); or, guidelines established by other recognized organizations (i.e., the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, ACGIH) to ensure that workers are protected from the risk of hearing damage or hearing loss in the their workplace.
A noise survey within an occupational setting is used to establish whether employees are being exposed to noise levels exceeding the allowable exposure limits (i.e., OSHA, ACGIH, etc.), including measurements within the workplace to evaluate equipment and other activities that may contribute to noise exposures. Excessive noise can result in long-term negative health effects such as hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep disturbances, and increased blood pressure and stress levels.
An outcome of a noise exposure survey most often is an evaluation of compliance, but also an evaluation of areas where employees are likely to be exposed to harmful levels of noise; machines and equipment which generate harmful levels of noise; and a determination of noise control options to reduce noise exposure (i.e., corrective actions).
AM H&S works closely with our client to incorporate the most practical method or combination of methods (engineering, administrative and/or personal protection) to reduce exposures.
Evaluation
A noise survey is carried out using a sound level meter (SLM) which can read Sound Pressure Levels (SPLs) as dBA (or other frequency weighting such as dBC). A SLM can be used to identify and evaluate individual noise sources for abatement purposes and can aid in determining the feasibility of engineering controls for individual noise sources.
A Noise Dosimeter is similar to a SLM except that it is worn by an employee to determine the “personal” noise dose during the work-shift and/or sampling period and primarily is used to comply with the OSHA General Industry or Construction Occupational Noise Exposure Standards (or other guidelines such as the ACGIH) by automatically computing the necessary noise dose calculations.
An octave band analyzer (OBA) is a SLM that divides noise into its frequency components (i.e., single or 1/3 octave bands). This allows for further characterization of noise beyond a basic decibel measurement, providing a more detailed breakdown of the noise frequencies. It is valuable when determining the effectiveness of frequency-dependent noise controls, such as barriers and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Reporting & Recommending Controls
AM H&S provides detailed, quality reports to clients. The reports include an executive summary, background information, criteria or regulatory references, descriptions of tasks performed, conclusions or findings, and recommendations designed to control the environmental factors. Daily monitoring field sheets, CADD quality drawings, posting tables, summary tables, and other pertinent data are part of the written industrial hygiene noise reports. Further, AM H&S can partner with design engineering experts to assist in the development of practical, workable noise mitigation measures or noise control design.
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