MACHINERY NOISE

INTRODUCTION

 Mechanized industry creates serious noise problems,

subjecting a significant fraction of the working population to
potentially harmful sound pressure levels of noise.
 The noise is due to machinery of all kinds and often increases
with the power of the machines.
 In industrialized countries it has been estimated that 15-20 %
or more of the working population is affected by sound
pressure levels of 75-85 dB.
 The noise usually stems from a wide variety of sources or
machines used in the industries.
 SYMPTOMS OF MACHINERY NOISE

 If the employees have to raise their voices to carry out a

normal conversation when about 2 m apart .
 If the employees use noisy powered tools or machinery for
more than half an hour each day.
 If any one works in a noisy industry→engineering, textile,
forging, pressing, bottling and foundries.
 If there noises due to impacts (such as hammering, forging,
pneumatic impact tools etc), explosive sources such as
detonators or guns.
 SOURCE

 A considerable number of industrial machines and processes

generate high levels noise that can cause physical and
psychological stresses.
 Industrial machines and processes consists of various elements
such as: rotors, stators, gears, bearings, fans, vibrating panels
etc.
 The source of noise may be:
– Air bome noise (propagation through air).
– Structure bome noise (propagation through solids) .
– Reflection from floor, wall, ceilings and machine surfaces.
High noise producing machines consists of :

 Fans and Blowers

 Generators
 Compressors and Pumps
 Die casting machines
 Lathes
 Tumblers and Grinders
 Punch presses
 Power saws
 Stamping machines
 Conveyers
 IMPACT OF MACHINERY NOISE

Cost of noise hazard to workers:

 Hearing loss:
– Temporary
– Permanent
 Tinnitus
 Stress, annoyance and fatigue
 Communication problems
 Task distraction
 Clinical health effects
Cost of noise hazard to the organization:

 Compensation claims

 Decrease in productivity

 Hearing protectors

 Medical surveillance

 Risk of accidents
 MACHINE NOISE EXPOSURE LIMITS

Noise exposure limits depends upon:

 The levels of exposure to noise of the employees averaged
over a working day or week.
 The maximum noise (peak sound pressure) to which
employees are exposed in a working day.

Noise exposure limits are:

 Lower exposure action values:
– Daily or weekly exposure of 80 dB
– Peak sound pressure of 135 dB
 Upper exposure action values:
– Daily or weekly exposure of 85 dB
– Peak sound pressure of 137 dB

 Exposure limit values:

– Daily or weekly exposure of 87 dB
– Peak sound pressure of 140 dB
CONTROL OF MACHINERY NOISE
 NOISE CONTROL PRINCIPLES

 Control at source:
– Eliminate activity/process creating noise
– Substitute activity/process creating noise
– Maintenance
 Control of transmission path
– Increase distance from source to receiver
– Sound proof cabins
 Control at receiver
– Restricting time
– Hearing protection
THANK YOU