noise monitoring

A noise survey involves taking noise measurements throughout an entire

plant or a particular section to identify noisy areas. A survey is used to
establish whether employees are being exposed to occupational noise levels
exceeding the exposure limits set by the regulations (in the UK, the Control of
Noise at Work Regulations 2005) or even the limits set by the company. It is
worth noting that the UK is not alone in this and that numerous countries have
developed workplace standards to ensure that the average level to which an
employee is exposed during an 8 hour day does not exceed 85dB(A)

Why carry out a noise survey?

Noise surveys provide useful information which enables a safety professional to

identify:

 Areas where employees are likely to be exposed to harmful levels of noise

 Machines and equipment which generate harmful levels of noise
 Operatives who might be exposed to unacceptable noise levels

The survey should be conducted in an environment where noise is likely to be harmful

such as, for example, an assembly line or workshop.  In most instances, the survey
will involve measuring noise levels with a sound level meter. Noise level readings are
taken at a suitable number of positions around the noisy area. A noise map can be
produced by drawing lines on a sketch between points of equal sound level, these
maps provide very useful data by clearly identifying zones where there are noise
hazards. You can find out more about workplace noise surveys and noise action limits
on our Solutions pages.
What’s involved in a noise survey?

Noise can be measured using a sound level meter which reads Sound Pressure Levels
(SPLs) in dB(A) and the highest noise level reached, the peak sound pressure in
Pascal (Pa).

There are two basic types of sound meter – integrated and direct reading meters.
Meters which integrate the reading provide an average over a particular period of
time, which is an essential technique where there are large variations in sound levels.
This value is known as the continuous equivalent noise level or Leq which is normally
measured or normalised over an 8 hour period.

The sound level meter, or indeed any noise measurement device, must be
calibrated before and after each measurement session. To take measurements, the
sound level meter is held at arm’s length at the ear height for those exposed to the
noise. Remember to make a measurement at each ear!

When assessing the risk of loss of hearing, the microphone position should be as close
as possible to the ear of the operative for whose benefit the noise exposure data is
being taken. For a stationary worker, the microphone should be positioned above the
shoulder or as near as possible. If the employee works in a standing position, the
microphone should be positioned preferably 1.5 metres above the floor. Finally, if the
employee works in a sitting position, the microphone should be positioned at 1 metre
above the floor.

In working environments with impulse, intermittent or variable noise levels, (but also
in cases where a worker’s movements cannot be followed or accompanied), the sound
level meter is not designed to determine a person’s average exposure to noise over the
entire or part of the shift. One solution is to use a noise dosemeter also known as
a Personal Sound Exposure Meter (PSEM) which sits on the shoulder of the selected
operator and records the noise exposure, then statistically determines noise over
similar exposure groups. Noise dosemeters can be worn for a single day or over a few
working days depending on the consistency of the tasks performed each day. In this
case, there is no need for the person responsible for taking the noise measurements to
be in attendance. The noise data will be collected and downloaded for analysis at the
end of the measurement period.
Types of instruments are used for measuring noise

The most common instruments used for measuring noise are the sound level meter
(SLM), the integrating sound level meter (ISLM), and the noise dosimeter. It is
important that you understand the calibration, operation and reading the instrument
you use. The user's manual provided by the instrument manufacturer provides most of
this information. Table 1 provides some instrument selection guidelines.
Table 1
Guidelines for Instrument Selection
Type of Measurement Appropriate Result Comments
Instruments
(in order of
preference)
Personal noise 1) Dosimeter Dose or Most accurate for
exposure equivalent sound personal noise exposures
level
2) ISLM* Equivalent sound If the worker is mobile, it
level may be difficult to
determine a personal
exposure, unless work
can be easily divided into
defined activities.
3) SLM** dB(A) If noise levels vary
considerably, it is
difficult to determine
average exposure. Only
useful when work can be
easily divided into
defined activities and
noise levels are relatively
stable all the time.
Noise levels generated 1) SLM dB(A) Measurement should be
by a particular source taken 1 to 3 metres from
source (not directly at the
source).
2) ISLM Equivalent sound Particularly useful if
level dB(A) noise is highly variable;
it can measure equivalent
sound level over a short
period of time (1 minute).
Noise survey 1) SLM dB(A) To produce noise map of
an area; take
measurements on a grid
pattern.
 2) ISLM Equivalent sound For highly variable noise.
level dB(A)
Impulse noise 1) Impulse SLM Peak pressure To measure the peak of
dB(A) each impulse.
* ISLM stands for Integrating Sound Level Meter
** SLM stands for Sound Level Meter

Noise control measure

OSH professionals use the hierarchy of control to determine how to implement

practical and effective risk management programmes to tackle noise-related issues in
the workplace. The hierarchy of noise control includes elimination or substitution of
noise sources, collective control measures through engineering and work organisation,
and personal protective equipment.

Elimination

Elimination is a process that eradicates the noise source it is the most effective way to
prevent risks to workers and should always be considered when introducing a new
work process, selecting new work equipment and designing the layout of the
workstations. Examples of noise elimination will include avoiding the use of noisy
processes or machinery, elimination of impacts between hard objects or surfaces,
outsourcing the noisy work processes and moving the noisy operations away from
other work activities.

Advance planning and introducing a suitable purchasing or hire policy are essential to
reducing the level of noise at work. Considering at an early stage how the new work
process or new machinery would work without exposing the workers to excessive
noise is the most cost-effective and long-term measure businesses can take to reduce
overall noise levels. Before acquiring new machinery, its noise levels should be
considered this can be achieved by liaising with and obtaining information from the
manufacturer or supplier of the plant or machinery. This may include installation
instructions, maintenance arrangements and likely noise levels under the specific
conditions in which the machinery will be operated. The UK Health and Safety
Executive’s ‘Buy quiet’ guide for purchasing quieter equipment provides further
advice.

Substitution

Substitution is a process of replacing noisy machinery or equipment with quieter

alternatives. When elimination is not possible, substitution of the noisy machinery or
equipment for quieter ones may be the next-best alternative to protect workers from
exposure to noise.

Employers should always consider alternative equipment and work processes which
would make the job less noisy. It’s also important to keep up-to-date with the
applicable standards and industry good practice. Performing a task differently can also
protect the workers from noise exposure for example, the use of welded instead of
riveted construction in fabrications and the use of hydraulic processes to bend
material produces less noise than hammering.

This table provides some exemplar substitution methods that can be adopted to reduce
the level of noise in a workplace.

(table)

Engineering controls

Engineering controls are all about making changes to processes, machinery or

equipment so that the workers are exposed to less noise. For example, using screens,
barriers, enclosures and absorbent materials help to reduce workers’ noise exposure.

Some engineering measures that may be considered include:

 separating the noisy area from other workspaces by a sound-reducing partition

 enclosure of noisy machinery with sound-absorbing material (effect may be
limited unless total enclosure is achieved)
 avoiding metal-to-metal contact by using plastic bumpers
 using absorbent lining on surfaces to cushion the fall or impact of objects
 fitting sound-absorbing materials to hard reflective surfaces
 using conveyor belts rather than rollers
 using acoustical silencers in intake and exhaust systems
 using rubber mounts to isolate vibrating noise source to separate it from the
surface it’s mounted to
 vmaintaining optimum speed of machinery or its particular components
 repairing and replacing loose rotating parts, worn bearings and gears
 using sound-absorbing material on walls, ceiling and floors to reduce the noise
level due to reverberation
 undertaking regular maintenance on equipment (very effective in reducing noise
emission if carried out regularly).
Administrative controls

Administrative controls are the way work is organised to reduce either the number of
workers who are exposed or the length of time they are exposed to noise.
Administrative controls should be used when it is not possible to reduce noise
exposure through elimination, substitution or engineering noise control measures.

Some administrative measures include:

 identifying hearing protection zones and clearly sign-posting noisy areas

 increasing the distance between noise sources and workers the further away the
noise source is, the less harmful its effect on workers will be
 organising schedules so that noisy tasks are performed when as few people as
possible are present
 minimising the number of individuals working in a noisy area keeping individuals
out of the area if their job does not require them to be there
 limiting the time workers spend in noisy areas by job design and job rotation
 providing rest breaks in areas away from a noisy work environment
 providing sufficient information, instructions and training to the workers for the
proper use of work equipment.

Personal protective equipment

Personal protective equipment protects the users from any adverse effects on hearing
caused by exposure to high levels of noise. It is the last option in the hierarchy of
control and should be used as a last resort after all efforts to eliminate or reduce the
noise levels have been exhausted through technical and organisational means.

All hearing protection must be capable of reducing the noise exposure to the safe
exposure levels and should be made available for workers to use. It is important to
make sure that the hearing protection chosen to protect the workers is suitable for
individuals working environment and compatible with other personal protective
equipment being used, for example hard hats, dust masks, eye protection etc. It is
good practice to offer different types of protectors so that workers can choose ones
which suit them better.

Its important to remember that if the protection provided (attenuation) by hearing

protection is too high, communication becomes difficult and individuals can end up
working in isolation.