OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE STANDARD

TECHNICAL PROCEDURE
 PRESIDENT
Fernando Henrique Cardoso
MINISTER OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
Francisco Dornelles

FUNDACENTRO
PRESIDENCY
Humberto Carlos Parro
EXECUTIVE BOARD
José Gaspar Ferraz de Campos
TECHNICAL BOARD
Soma Maria José Bombardi
BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Antonio Sérgio Torquato
SOCIAL COMMUNICATION ADVISORY
José Carlos Crozera
Occupational Hygiene
Standard

Technical Procedure
Evaluation of Occupational Exposure to Noise

Drafting team:
Eduardo Giampaoli
Irene Ferreira de Souza Duarte Saad
Irlon de Ângelo da Cunha

Collaboration:
Marcos Domingos da Silva

2001
 PRESENTATION

FUNDACENTRO's Occupational Hygiene Coordination published, in

1980, a series of Technical Standards previously called Occupational Hygiene
Standards - NHT, today designated Occupational Hygiene Standards - NHO.
Faced with the dynamic process of techniques for identifying, evaluating
and controlling environmental risks, and considering technological
development, the technical review of these standards is of fundamental
importance.
In this way, the Occupational Noise Exposure Evaluation standard is
presented to the technical public working in the field of occupational health,
resulting from a restudy by the Hygiene Occupational Coordination technical
team.
It is believed that this Standard can effectively contribute as a tool in the
identification of the environmental risk agent classified as a physical noise
agent, with the aim of collaborating in the control of exposure and prevention
of occupational diseases.

ROBSON SPINELLI GOMES

Occupational Hygiene Coordination Manager
1. OBJECTIVE.....................................................................................11
2. APPLICATION................................................................................11
3. NORMATIVE REFERENCES.........................................................11
4. DEFINITIONS, SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS..................11
4.1 For the purposes of this Standard, the following definitions, symbols
and Abbreviations apply:............................................................................ 11
4.2 The main correlations between the terminology in Portuguese and
English are as follows:......................................................................... 14
5. EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR OCCUPATIONAL NOISE
EXPOSURE..........................................................................................14
5.1 Continuous or Intermittent Noise................................................14
5.1.1 Evaluation of a worker's exposure to continuous or intermittent
noise through daily dose...................................................................16
5.1.1.1 Using an integrative meter of personal use...........................16
5.1.1.2 Using a meter carried by the evaluator.................................16
5.1.2 Evaluation of a worker's exposure to continuous or intermittent
noise through exposure level...................................................................... 17
5.2 Impact noise................................................................................20
6. EVALUATION PROCEDURES......................................................22
6.1 Approach to places and working conditions...............................22
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
6.2 Measuring equipment..................................................................23
6.2.1 Minimum specifications...........................................................23
6.2.1.1 Integrative meters of personal use.......................................23
6.2.1.2 Integrative meters held by the evaluator...............................24
6.2.1.3 Instantaneous-reading meters................................................24
6.2.1.4 Acoustic calibrators........................................................................ 24
6.2.2 Environmental interferences in equipment performance……25
6.2.3 Checking and certification of equipment................................25
6.3 General measurement procedures......................................................... 25
6.4 Specific procedures for measuring continuous or intermittent
noise............................................................................................27
6.4.1 Using the integrative meter for personal use.........................27
6.4.2 Using the integrative meter held by the evaluator.................28
6.4.3 Using the instantaneous-reading meter........................................... 29
6.5 Specific impact noise measurement procedures................................... 32
6.6 Interpretation of results..............................................................33
6.6.1 Continuous or intermittent noise.............................................33
6.6.1.1 Daily dose............................................................................33
6.6.1.2 Normalized exposure level....................................................33
6.6.1.3 Judgment criteria and decision making.................................34
6.6.2 Impact noise......................................................................34
6.6.3 Continuous or intermittent noise simultaneously with
impact noise......................................................................................35
7. REPORT...........................................................................................35
8. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES............................................37
 This technical procedure is part of the Occupational Hygiene Standards
Series (NHO's) prepared by technicians from FUNDACENTRO's
Occupational Hygiene Coordination, through the Project Dissemination of
Information on Occupational Hygiene, 1997/1998.

This Standard cancels and replaces the following FUNDACENTRO Standards:

 NHT-06 R/E - 1985: Standard for evaluating occupational exposure to

continuous or intermittent noise in the experimental phase.

 NHT-07 R/E - 1985: Standard for evaluating occupational exposure to

noise - impact noise.

 NHT-09 R/E - 1986: Standard for evaluating occupational exposure to

continuous or intermittent noise using dosimeters.

The main modifications and technical advances in relation to previous

Standards are:

 replaces the three previously existing Standards and addresses both the
evaluation of occupational exposure to continuous or intermittent noise,
and the evaluation of occupational exposure to impact noise;
 introduces the conceptFOREWORD
of exposure level as one of the criteria for
quantifying and characterizing occupational exposure to continuous or
intermittent noise and the concept of normalized exposure level for
interpreting results;

 adopts the value "3" as dose doubling increment (q = 3);

 considers the possibility of using integrated meters and instantaneous

reading meters.
 NHO 01

This Technical Standard aims to establish criteria and procedures for the
evaluation of occupational exposure to noise, which implies a potential risk of
occupational deafness.

2. APPLICATION

The Standard applies to occupational exposure to continuous or

intermittent noise and impact noise, in any work situation, however it is not
focused on the characterization of acoustic comfort conditions.

3. NORMATIVE REFERENCES

The editions of the Standards listed below, referred to throughout the text,
were in effect during the preparation of this Standard. Users of this Standard
should be aware of more recent editions of the Referenced Standards.

ANSI S 1.25 (1991) - Specification for personal noise dosimeters

ANSI S 1.4 (1983) - Specification for sound level meters

ANSI S 1.40 (1984) - Specification for acoustical calibrators

IEC 804 (1985) - Integrating-averaging sound level meters

IEC 651 (1993) - Sound Level Meters

4. DEFINITIONS, SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS

4.1 For the purposes of this Standard, the following definitions,
symbols and Abbreviations apply:

Exposure Cycle: set of acoustic situations to which the worker is

submitted, in a defined sequence, and which is repeated continuously during
the working day.

34
 NHO 01
Reference Criterion (RC): average level at which exposure over an 8-
1. OBJECTIVE
hour period will correspond to a 100% dose.

Dose: parameter used for the characterization of occupational exposure to

noise, expressed in percentage of sound energy, having as reference the
maximum value of admitted daily sound energy, defined based on pre-
established parameters (q, RC, ITL).

Daily Dose: dose referring to the daily working day.

Noise Dosimeter: integrative meter for personal use that provides the
dose of occupational exposure to noise.

Homogeneous Group: corresponds to a group of workers who

experience similar exposure, so that the result provided by the exposure
evaluation of part of the group is representative of the exposure of all workers
who make up the same group.

Doubling Dose Increment (q): increment in decibels which, when added

to a certain level, implies a doubling of the exposure dose or a halving of the
maximum allowable time.

Exposure Limit (EL): occupational exposure parameter that represents

conditions under which it is believed that most workers may be repeatedly
exposed without adverse effects on their ability to hear and understand normal
conversation.

Exposure Limit Ceiling Value (EL-CV): corresponds to the maximum

value, above which exposure is not allowed at any time during the working
day.

Integrative Meter for Personal Use: meter that can be attached to the
worker during the measurement period, providing, through integration, the
dose or the average level.

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 NHO 01
Integrative Meter Held by the Evaluator: meter operated directly by
the evaluator, which provides, through integration, the average dose or level.

Action Level: value above which preventive actions must be initiated in

order to minimize the probability that exposure to noise will cause damage to
the worker's hearing and prevent the exposure limit from being exceeded.

Equivalent Level (ELE): average level based on energy equivalence,

defined by the following expression:

where:
Neq = equivalent sound pressure level referring to the integration range (T
= t2 – t1)
p(t) = instantaneous sound pressure
p0 = reference sound pressure, equal to 20 µPa

Exposure Level (EL): average level representative of daily occupational

exposure.

Normalized Exposure Level (NEL): exposure level, converted to a

standard 8-hour day, for comparison purposes with the exposure limit.

Integration Threshold Level (ITL): noise level from which the values
must be computed in the integration for the purpose of determining the
average level or exposure dose.

Middle Level (ML): noise level representative of occupational exposure

relative to the measurement period, which considers the various values of
instantaneous levels occurred in the period and the predefined measurement
parameters.

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 NHO 01
Continuous or Intermittent Noise: any and all noise that is not classified
as impact or impulsive noise.

Impact or Impulse Noise: noise that presents peaks of acoustic energy

lasting less than 1 (one) second, at intervals greater than 1 (one) second.

Acoustic Situation: each part of the exposure cycle in which the worker
is exposed to noise levels considered stable.

Auditory Zone: region of space delimited by a radius of 150 mm ± 50

mm, measured from the entrance of the auditory canal.

4.2 The main correlations between the terminology in Portuguese

and English are as follows:

Critério de Referência (CR): Criterion Level (CL)

Incremento de Duplicação de Dose (q): Exchange Rate (q or ER)
Limite de Exposição (LE): Threshold Limit Value (TLV)
Limite de Exposição Valor Teto (LE-VT): Threshold Limit Value-Ceiling
(TLV-C)
Nível Equivalente (Neq): Equivalent Level Leq)
Nível Médio (NM): Average Level (Lavg)
Nível Limiar de Integração (NLI): Threshold Level (TL)

5. EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR OCCUPATIONAL

NOISE EXPOSURE
5.1 Continuous or Intermittent Noise

The reference criterion that supports the daily exposure limits adopted for
continuous or intermittent noise corresponds to a dose of 100% for exposure
of 8 hours at the level of 85 dB(A).

The evaluation criterion considers, in addition to the reference criterion,

the dose doubling increment (q) equal to 3 and the integration threshold level
equal to 80 dB(A).
The evaluation of occupational exposure to continuous or intermittent
noise should be carried out by determining the daily dose of noise or the
exposure level, parameters that are representative of the worker's daily

14
 NHO 01
exposure. These parameters are totally equivalent, being possible from one to
obtain the other, through the mathematical expressions that follow:

where:
NE (EL) = exposure level
D = daily dose of noise in percentage
TE = duration, in minutes, of the daily working day

The evaluation must be carried out using integrative meters for personal
use, attached to the worker.

When this equipment is not available, the Standard offers alternative

procedures for other types of integrating meters or instantaneous reading
meters, not attached to the worker, which may be used in the evaluation of
certain situations of occupational exposure. In each case, the specific
measurement procedures established in this Standard must be followed.

However, working conditions that present complex operational dynamics,

such as, for example, driving forklifts, maintenance activities, among others,
or that involve constant movement of the worker, should not be evaluated
using these alternative methods.

5.1.1 Evaluation of a worker's exposure to continuous or

intermittent noise through daily dose
5.1.1.1 Using an integrative meter of personal use

The determination of the dose of exposure to noise must be done,

preferably, by means of integrative meters for personal use (noise dosimeters),
adjusted in order to meet the specifications contained in item 6.2.1.1
(measuring equipment).

In this case, the daily occupational exposure limit to continuous or

intermittent noise corresponds to a daily dose equal to 100%.
15
 NHO 01

The action level for occupational exposure to noise is a daily dose

equal to 50%.

The ceiling value exposure limit for continuous or intermittent noise is

115 dB(A).

5.1.1.2 Using a meter carried by the evaluator

If it is not possible to use integrative meters for personal use, meters

carried by the evaluator may be used. In this case the daily dose can be
determined by means of the following expression:

Where:
Cn = total daily time that the worker is exposed to a specific noise
level.
Tn = maximum permissible daily time at this level, according to Table l.

For noise levels with values intermediate to those shown in Table 1, the
maximum permissible daily time relative to the next highest level will be
considered.

16
 NHO 01
Exposures to levels below 80 dB(A) will not be considered in the dose
calculation.

When exposure is to a single noise level, the calculation of the daily

dose is also performed using the expression presented, that is, simply dividing
"C1" by "T1".

In this criterion, the daily occupational exposure limit to continuous or

intermittent noise corresponds to a daily dose equal to 100%.

The action level for occupational exposure to noise is a daily dose

equal to 50%.

The ceiling value exposure limit for continuous or intermittent noise is

115 dB(A).

5.1.2 Evaluation of a worker's exposure to continuous or

intermittent noise through exposure level

The evaluation of exposure by exposure level should preferably be

performed using integrative meters for personal use. When this equipment is
not available, other types of integrating meters or instantaneous reading
meters, carried by the evaluator, may be used.

Exposure Level - EL is the Average Level representative of the daily

exposure of the evaluated worker.

For purposes of comparison with the exposure limit, the Normalized

Exposure Level (NEL) must be determined, which corresponds to the
Exposure Level (EL) converted to a standard 8-hour day shift.

The Normalized Exposure Level (NEL) is determined by the

following expression:

NEL = EL + 10 log TE
dB
where: 48
0
EL = representative average level of daily occupational exposure
TE = duration, in minutes, of the daily working day

17
 NHO 01
In this criterion, the daily occupational exposure limit to noise
corresponds to NEL equal to 85 dB(A), and the exposure limit ceiling
value for continuous or intermittent noise is 115 dB(A).

For this criterion, the NEL value equal to 82 dB(A) is considered as

action level.

Table 1. Maximum permissible daily exposure time depending on the

noise level.

Noise Level dB(A) Maximum permissible daily time

(Tn)
(minutes)

80 1,523.90
81 1,209.52
82 960.00
83 761.95
84 604.76
85 480.00
86 380.97
87 302.38
88 240.00
89 190.48
90 151.19
91 120.00
92 95.24
93 75.59
94 60.00

18
 NHO 01
Table 1. Maximum permissible daily exposure time depending on the
noise level (continued)
Noise Level dB(A) Maximum permissible daily time
(Tn)
(minutes)
95 47.62
96 37.79
97 30.00
98 23.81
99 18.89
100 15.00
101 11.90
102 9.44
103 7.50
104 5.95
105 4.72
106 3.75
107 2.97
108 2.36
109 1.87
110 1.48
111 1.18
112 0.93
113 0.74
114 0.59
115 0.46

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 NHO 01
5.2 Impact Noise

The determination of exposure to impact or impulsive noise must be

made by means of a sound pressure level meter operating in "Linear" and a
response circuit for measuring the peak level.

In this criterion, the daily exposure limit to impact noise is determined

by the following expression:

Np = 160 - 10 Log n [dB]

where:
Np= peak level, in dB(Lin), maximum admissible
n = number of impacts or impulses occurred during the daily working
day

Table 2, obtained based on the previous expression, shows the

correlation between the maximum permissible peak levels and the number of
impacts that occurred during the daily working day, extracted from the
expression for determining the daily exposure limit to impact noise.

20
 NHO 01
Table 2. Maximum admissible peak levels depending on the number of
impacts

Np n Np n Np n
120 10000 127 1995 134 398
121 7943 128 1584 135 316
122 6309 129 1258 136 251
123 5011 130 1000 137 199
124 3981 131 794 138 158
125 3162 132 630 139 125
126 2511 133 501 140 100

When the number of daily impacts or impulses exceeds 10,000 (n >

10,000), the noise must be considered as continuous or intermittent.

The ceiling value tolerance limit for impact noise corresponds to the
peak level value of 140 dB(Lin).

The action level for occupational exposure to impact noise corresponds

to the Np value obtained in the above expression, subtracted from 3 decibels
 (Np - 3) dB.

Note:
The criteria established in this Standard are based on modern
technical-scientific concepts and parameters, following current
international trends, with no commitment to equivalence with legal
criteria. In this way, the results obtained and their interpretation when
applying this Standard may differ from those obtained in the
characterization of unhealthy conditions by applying the provisions of
NR-15, Annex 1, from Ordinance 3214 of 1978.

21
 NHO 01
6. EVALUATION PROCEDURES
6.1 Approach to places and working conditions

The noise assessment should be carried out in order to characterize the

exposure of all workers considered in the study.

By identifying groups of workers who present the same exposure

characteristics - homogeneous groups - it will not be necessary to evaluate all
workers. Assessments can be carried out covering one or more workers whose
situation corresponds to the "typical" exposure of each group considered.

If there are doubts about the possibility of reducing the number of

workers to be evaluated, the approach must necessarily consider all those
exposed in the group considered.

The set of measurements must be representative of the real conditions

of occupational exposure of the group of workers who are the object of the
study. In this way, the assessment must cover all the usual operational and
environmental conditions that involve the worker in the exercise of his duties.

In order for measurements to be representative of exposure over the

entire working day, it is important that the sampling period is properly chosen.
If repetitive exposure cycles are identified during the journey, sampling
should include a sufficient number of cycles. Sampling should cover a larger
number of cycles, if these are not regular or present levels with large
variations in values.

During the daily workday, when the worker performs two or more
independent work routines, the assessment of occupational exposure can be
made by evaluating, separately, the exposure conditions in each of the
routines and determining the daily occupational exposure by the composition
of the data obtained.

If there are doubts as to the representativeness of the sampling, it must

necessarily involve the entire working day.

22
 NHO 01
The evaluation procedures should interfere as little as possible in the
environmental and operational conditions characteristic of the working
condition under study.

Non-routine exposure conditions, resulting from foreseeable but

unusual operations or work procedures, such as preventive maintenance, must
be evaluated and interpreted separately, considering their contribution to the
daily dose or exposure level.

Managerial information must be obtained, to be corroborated by field

observations, necessary in characterizing the exposure of workers, based on
the criteria used.
6.2 Measuring equipment
6.2.1 Minimum specifications
6.2.1.1 Integrative meters of personal use

Integrating meters for personal use, also called noise dosimeters, to be

used in the assessment of occupational exposure to noise must meet the
specifications contained in Standard ANSI S1.25-1991 or future revisions,
have a minimum classification of type 2 and be adjusted to meet the following
parameters:

 weighting circuit - "A"

 response circuit - slow
 reference criterion - 85 dB(A), which corresponds to a dose of 100%
for an exposure of 8 hours
 integration threshold level - 80 dB(A)
 minimum measurement range - 80 to 115 dB(A)
 dose doubling increment = 3 (q = 3)
 indication of the occurrence of levels greater than 115 dB(A)

23
 NHO 01
6.2.1.2 Integrative meters held by the evaluator
Integrative meters to be used in the assessment of occupational
exposure to noise must meet the specifications contained in Standard IEC 804
or future revisions and have a minimum classification of type 2. For the
determination of average noise levels, they must be adjusted in order to meet
to the following parameters:

 weighting circuit - "A"

 response circuit - slow or fast, when specified by the
manufacturer
 reference criterion - 85 dB(A), which corresponds to a dose of 100%
for an exposure of 8 hours
 integration threshold level - 80 dB(A)
 minimum measurement range - 80 to 115 dB(A)
 dose doubling increment = 3 (q = 3)
 indication of the occurrence of levels greater than 115 dB(A)

6.2.1.3 Instantaneous-reading meters

Instantaneous-reading meters to be used in the evaluation of

occupational exposure to continuous or intermittent noise, or impact noise,
must be at least type 2, according to specifications contained in ANSI
Standards S1.4-1983 and IEC 651, or their future reviews.

For the measurement of continuous or intermittent noise, the meters

must be adjusted in order to operate in the "A" weighting circuit, slow
response circuit and cover a minimum measurement range of 80 to 115
dB(A).

For the measurement of impact noise, the meters must be adjusted in

order to operate in the "linear" circuit, response circuit for peak level
measurement, and cover a minimum peak measurement range of 100 to 150
dB.

6.2.1.4 Acoustic calibrators

The equipment used in the calibration of sound pressure level meters

must meet the specifications of Standard ANSI S1.40-1984 or IEC 942-1988.

24
 NHO 01

The calibrators, preferably, must be of the same brand as the meter and,
obligatorily, allow the adequate coupling between the microphone and the
calibrator, directly or through the use of an adapter.

6.2.2 Environmental interferences in equipment

performance

The use of a windshield over the microphone is always recommended

in order to avoid possible interference from air velocity and to protect the
microphone from dust.

The meters can only be used within the moisture and temperature
conditions specified by the manufacturers.

If the meters are used in environments with the presence of significant

magnetic fields, the precautions and limitations provided by the manufacturer
must be considered.

6.2.3 Checking and certification of equipment

Meters and calibrators must be periodically checked/calibrated and

certified by the manufacturer, authorized technical assistance, or accredited
laboratories for this purpose.

6.3 General measurement procedures

 Measuring equipment, when in use, must be calibrated and in perfect

electromechanical condition. Before starting measurements, you must:
 Verify the electromechanical integrity and consistency in the
instrument's response;
 Check the battery charge conditions;
 Adjust the measurement parameters, according to the criteria to be
used;
 Carry out the calibration according to the manufacturer's instructions.

25
 NHO 01
Measurements must be made with the microphone positioned within
the worker's auditory zone, in order to provide data representative of the daily
occupational exposure to noise to which the worker is subjected in the
exercise of his/her duties. In the case of personal use meters, the microphone
must be positioned over the shoulder, attached to clothing, within the worker's
auditory zone.

When significant differences are identified between the sound pressure

levels that reach the two ears, the measurements must be carried out on the
side exposed to the highest level.

The microphone direction must comply with the manufacturer's

guidelines, contained in the equipment manual, in order to guarantee the best
response from the meter.

The evaluator's positioning and conduct should not interfere with the
acoustic field or working conditions, in order not to distort the results
obtained. If necessary, remote evaluation should be used, using an extension
cable for the microphone, in order to allow remote reading.

Before starting the measurement, the worker(s) to be evaluated must be

informed:

• the objective of the work;

• that the measurement should not interfere with the worker(s) usual
activities, and you should maintain your work routine;
• that measurements do not record conversations;
• that the equipment or microphone attached to it can only be removed by the
evaluator;
• that the microphone attached to it cannot be touched or obstructed;
• on other relevant aspects.

The data obtained will only be validated if, after the measurement, the
equipment maintains the appropriate conditions of use. They must be
invalidated, carrying out a new measurement, whenever:

 the calibration checking/verification indicates variation outside the

tolerated range of ± 1 dB;

26
 NHO 01
 battery voltage level is below the acceptable minimum;
 there is any damage to the electromechanical integrity of
the equipment.

When there is simultaneous presence of continuous or intermittent

noise and impact noise, the evaluation of occupational exposure to impact
noise must be carried out independently, using the specific procedures
presented in this Standard.

However, the participation of impact noise must also be considered in

the evaluation of exposure to continuous or intermittent noise. When
integrative meters are used, the impact noise will be automatically computed
in the integration. In the case of using instantaneous-reading meters, the
readings that coincide with the occurrence of the impact peaks should
normally be computed in the measurement data.

6.4 Specific procedures for measuring continuous or

intermittent noise

6.4.1 Using the integrative meter for personal use

a) Perform preliminary adjustments to the equipment and its

calibration, based on the instructions in the operation manual and
the parameters specified in item 6.2.1.1.

b) Place the meter on the worker to be evaluated and fix the

microphone within the auditory zone, according to item 6.3.

c) Position and secure any excess microphone cable to avoid any

difficulty or inconvenience to the user.

d) Take the necessary measures to prevent the user, or another person,

from making changes to the equipment's programming,
compromising the results obtained.

e) Start the integration process only after the microphone is properly

adjusted and attached to the worker.

27
 NHO 01
f) f) Check the dosimeter periodically, during the evaluation, to
ensure that the microphone is properly positioned and that the
equipment is in normal operating conditions.
g) Remove the microphone from the worker only after stopping the
measurement.
h) Determine and record the actual measurement time, whenever the
measurement does not cover the entire working day.
i) When the measurement does not cover the entire working day, the
dose determined for the measured period must be designed for the
effective daily working day, determining the daily dose.

6.4.2 Using the integrative meter held by the evaluator

a) Perform preliminary adjustments to the equipment and its

calibration, based on the instructions in the operation manual and
the parameters specified in item 6.2.1.2.

b) Keep the meter's microphone within the worker's ear zone and
position yourself to minimize interference with the measurement.
c) Determine and record the actual measurement time, whenever the
measurement does not cover the full working day.
d) When the measurement covers a representative period of
occupational exposure, the average level provided by the meter
will be representative of the exposure of the evaluated worker
during his entire working day, corresponding to the exposure level.
If the dose fraction is determined, it must be designed for the actual
working day.
e) Follow all the movement of the worker in the exercise of his duties,
so that during the entire measurement the microphone remains
positioned within the auditory zone.
f) When meters are used whose integration time is prefixed and does
not cover the minimum representative period of exposure, the
complementary procedures listed below must be followed:

 sequential measurements, each one lasting within the limit imposed

by the meter;
 number of measurements sufficient to cover a representative period of
28
 NHO 01
exposure;
 record of all measurement readings to allow determination of the
average level or dose fraction for the evaluated period, using the
following mathematical expression:

where:
NM = Representative average level of exposure of the evaluated worker
ni = number of readings obtained for the same assumed partial average
level - NMi
n = total number of readings = n1 + n2 + ... + ni + ... + nn
NMi = ith assumed average sound pressure level, in dB(A)

6.4.3 Using the instantaneous reading meter

a) Perform preliminary adjustments to the equipment and its

calibration, based on the instructions in the operation manual and
parameters specified in item 6.2.1.3.

b) Keep the meter's microphone within the worker's ear zone and
position yourself to minimize interference with the measurement.

c) Determine and record the effective time period of measurement

whenever it does not cover the full working day.

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 NHO 01
d) Follow all the movement of the worker in the exercise of his
duties, in order to keep the microphone positioned within the
auditory zone, during the entire measurement period.

e) Measurements must be taken in a period representative of

occupational exposure, through a number of sequential readings
taken at fixed and predefined time intervals, identified by "At", of
a maximum of 15 seconds.

f) Each reading corresponds to the value actually read on the meter at

the time of measurement, rounded to the nearest value, within an
interval of 0.5 dB. Therefore, subjective averages (average by
visual interpolation) should not be taken during each reading.
(Examples: read value: 80.7 → default value: 80.5; read value:
80.8 → default value: 81.0).

g) The representative average level of exposure must be determined

by the following mathematical expression:

where:
NM = Representative average level of exposure of the evaluated worker
ni = number of readings obtained for the same assumed level - NPSi
n = total number of readings [readings of values below 80 dB(A) must be
included]
NPSi = ith assumed average sound pressure level, in dB(A) [sound
pressure levels below 80 dB(A) should not be included]

Example:
In the analysis of exposure to noise of a worker in the exercise of his/her
duties, an exposure cycle was identified that on average lasted 7 minutes and
50 seconds. The measurement period was adopted in order to cover 15
complete exposure cycles, in order to guarantee good representativeness,
making a total of 117 minutes and 30 seconds (7050 seconds). Readings were
taken at 10 second intervals (At = 10s).

30
 NHO 01
In this way, 705 readings were taken, covering the total interval of 7050
seconds. The data obtained are shown in the table below:

i NPSi ni
1 < 80.0 188
2 83.5 3
3 84.0 7
4 85.0 21
5 85.5 38
6 86.5 42
7 88.0 53
8 88.5 47
9 89.0 52
10 90.0 75
11 90.5 65
12 91.0 53
13 92.0 27
14 95.0 17
15 98.0 12
16 99.5 5

Total of readings = n 705

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1
NM=10 log [ 0,183,5 0,184,0 0,185,0
705 (3 10  7 10  2110 

+38 100,185,5  42 100,186,5  53 100,188,0  47 100,188,5 

+52 100,189,0  75 100,190,0  65 100,190,5  53 100,191,0 

+27 100,192,0  17 100,195,0  12 100,198,0  5 100,199,5 )]

NM = 89 dB(A)

h) When the measurement covers a representative period of

occupational exposure, the average level, determined by the
calculation procedure presented above, will be representative of the
exposure of the evaluated worker during his entire working day,
corresponding to the exposure level.

6.5 Specific impact noise measurement procedures

a) Perform preliminary adjustments to the equipment and its

calibration, based on the instructions in the operation manual and
parameters specified in item 6.2.1.3.

b) Keep the meter's microphone within the worker's ear zone and
position yourself to minimize interference with the measurement.

c) Follow all the movement of the worker in the exercise of his/her

duties, in order to keep the microphone positioned within the
auditory zone, during the entire measurement period..

d) Carry out measurements in sufficient numbers to determine the

levels of impact to which the assessed worker is subjected.

e) Determine the number of impacts per day to which the evaluated

worker is exposed.

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e1) The number of impacts and the levels measured in a period shorter
than the daily working day can be extrapolated to the entire
working day, provided that the evaluated period is representative of
the worker's entire exposure.

6.6 Interpretation of results

6.6.1 Continuous or intermittent noise

6.6.1.1 Daily dose

Based on the criteria presented in item 5.1.1, whenever the daily dose
of exposure to noise determined is greater than 100%, the exposure limit will
be exceeded and will require the immediate adoption of control measures.

If the daily dose is between 50% and 100%, the exposure must be
considered above the action level, and preventive measures must be adopted
in order to minimize the probability that noise exposures cause damage to the
worker's hearing and prevent the exposure limit from being exceeded.

Exposure to continuous or intermittent noise levels above 115 dB(A) is

not permitted at any time during the working day for individuals who are not
suitably protected, regardless of the values obtained for the daily dose or for
the exposure level.

6.6.1.2 Normalized exposure level

Based on the criteria presented in item 5.1.2, whenever the Normalized

Exposure Level - NEL - is greater than 85 dB(A), the exposure limit will be
exceeded and will require the immediate adoption of control measures.

If the normalized exposure level - NEL - is between 82dB(A) and 85

dB(A) the exposure must be considered above the action level, and preventive
measures must be adopted in order to minimize the probability that noise
exposures cause damage to the worker's hearing and prevent the exposure
limit from being exceeded.

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Exposure to continuous or intermittent noise levels above 115 dB(A) is
not permitted at any time during the working day for individuals who are not
suitably protected, regardless of the values obtained for the daily dose or for
the exposure level.

6.6.1.3 Judgment criteria and decision making

The Table below presents technical considerations and the

recommended actions based on the Daily Dose or Normalized Exposure Level
found in the evaluated exposure condition.

Daily dose NEL Technical Recommended

(%) dB(A) consideration action
0 to 50 up to 82 acceptable at least
maintenance of
existing condition
50 to 80 82 to 84 above the action adoption of preventive
level measures
80 to 84 to 85 region of adoption of
100 uncertainty preventive and
corrective measures
aimed at
reduction in daily dose
Above > 85 above the exposure immediate adoption of
100 limit corrective measures

6.6.2 Impact noise

Based on the criteria presented in item 5.2, whenever the peak level
exceeds the maximum allowed level - Np, calculated for the number of
impacts to which the worker is exposed in his daily workday, the exposure
limit will be exceeded and will require the immediate adoption of control
measures.

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Exposure to impact or impulsive noise with peak levels greater than
140 dB is not permitted for individuals who are not suitably protected.

If the peak level is between (Np - 3) and Np the exposure should be

considered above the action level and preventive measures should be taken to
minimize the likelihood that noise exposures will exceed the exposure limit.

6.6.3 Continuous or intermittent noise simultaneously

with impact noise

In the simultaneous occurrence of continuous or intermittent noise and

impact noise, the occupational exposure will be above the exposure limit,
when at least the limit for one of the types of noise is exceeded.

Exposure to continuous or intermittent noise levels above 115 dB(A) is

not permitted at any time during the working day for individuals who are not
suitably protected, regardless of the values obtained for the daily dose or for
the exposure level.

Exposure to impact or impulsive noise with peak levels greater than

140 dB is not permitted for individuals who are not suitably protected.

7. REPORT

It is recommended that the technical report addresses at least the

aspects presented below, in order to enable the understanding by a qualified
reader, of the work developed and to document the aspects of this Standard
that were used in the study.

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 Introduction, including objectives of the work, justification and dates
or periods in which the evaluations were developed;
 Adopted evaluation criteria;
 Instrumental used;
 Evaluation methodology;
 Description of the evaluated exposure conditions;
 Data obtained;
 Interpretation of results.

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8. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES

NHT-06 R/E (1985) - Standard for evaluating occupational exposure to

continuous or intermittent noise - FUNDACENTRO - Ministry of Labor.

NHT-07 R/E (1985) - Standard for evaluating occupational exposure to noise

- impact noise - FUNDACENTRO - Ministry of Labor.

NHT-09 R/E (1986) - Standard for evaluating occupational exposure to

continuous or intermittent noise using dosimeters - FUNDACENTRO
- Ministry of Labor.

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists-Threshold Limit

Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents - Biological
Exposure Indices - ACGIH, Cincinatti - USA (1996).

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists -

Documentation of the Threshold Limit and Biological Exposure Indices –
6th Edition - ACGIH, Cincinatti - USA (1996).

ISO 1999 (1990) - Acoustics - Determination of occupational noise exposure

and estimation of noise-induced hearing impairment.

OSHA Instruction CPL 2-2.20B – Chapter 4 – Noise Measurement (1990).

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