Dear All,
To assess the potential risk from noise, I am planning to conduct a walkabout survey to identify possible activities/areas of significant noise exposures and to determine if additional monitoring is necessary. Do you have any idea regarding this?
Kind Regards,
Bipin Gautam
From Oman
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To assess the potential risk from noise, I am planning to conduct a walkabout survey to identify possible activities/areas of significant noise exposures and to determine if additional monitoring is necessary. Do you have any idea regarding this?
Kind Regards,
Bipin Gautam
From Oman
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Dear Bipin,
Noise hazard is one of the big concerns and big challenges in our workplace at an international level. Just follow the links below, which provide more stringent guidelines. OSHA has given a brief overview on how to conduct noise surveys and who should conduct them.
- [Noise and Hearing Conservation Technical Manual Chapter: Section III: How do I evaluate noise exposure?](http://osha.gov) *[Link updated to site home]*
- [Noise and Hearing Conservation Technical Manual Chapter: Evaluation (App III:A-3)](http://osha.gov) *[Link updated to site home]*
- *[Link outdated-removed]*
*( [Search On Cite](https://www.citehr.com/results.php?q=Occupational noise exposure 1910 95) | [Search On Google](https://www.google.com/search?q=Occupational noise exposure 1910 95) )*
Note: Attached are the OSHA noise survey and analysis report, as well as the Measurement of workplace noise PDF files for your reference.
Hope it helps. Keep in touch. . .
From United States, Fpo
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510Noise hazard is one of the big concerns and big challenges in our workplace at an international level. Just follow the links below, which provide more stringent guidelines. OSHA has given a brief overview on how to conduct noise surveys and who should conduct them.
- [Noise and Hearing Conservation Technical Manual Chapter: Section III: How do I evaluate noise exposure?](http://osha.gov) *[Link updated to site home]*
- [Noise and Hearing Conservation Technical Manual Chapter: Evaluation (App III:A-3)](http://osha.gov) *[Link updated to site home]*
- *[Link outdated-removed]*
*( [Search On Cite](https://www.citehr.com/results.php?q=Occupational noise exposure 1910 95) | [Search On Google](https://www.google.com/search?q=Occupational noise exposure 1910 95) )*
Note: Attached are the OSHA noise survey and analysis report, as well as the Measurement of workplace noise PDF files for your reference.
Hope it helps. Keep in touch. . .
From United States, Fpo
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Dear Bipin,
In addition to what Mr. Raghu has explained, you may refer to the Factories Act. It is a good idea to conduct a walk-through survey. This will draw your attention to noisy areas. The Factories Act considers a 90 dBA noise level and TLV limit for 8 hours of exposure. Once you identify the potential for improvement, you have to control the noise at its source through engineering controls, which include:
1. Acoustic Enclosures
2. Good Maintenance of machines
Another way is through administrative controls when reducing the noise at its source is not possible:
1. Isolation: Isolate the noisy area
2. Job rotation
You may conduct audiometry tests on employees with increased frequency and compare the results with the previous tests. If you need any more inputs, please let me know.
Thanks & Regards,
Sudhir
From India, Vadodara
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In addition to what Mr. Raghu has explained, you may refer to the Factories Act. It is a good idea to conduct a walk-through survey. This will draw your attention to noisy areas. The Factories Act considers a 90 dBA noise level and TLV limit for 8 hours of exposure. Once you identify the potential for improvement, you have to control the noise at its source through engineering controls, which include:
1. Acoustic Enclosures
2. Good Maintenance of machines
Another way is through administrative controls when reducing the noise at its source is not possible:
1. Isolation: Isolate the noisy area
2. Job rotation
You may conduct audiometry tests on employees with increased frequency and compare the results with the previous tests. If you need any more inputs, please let me know.
Thanks & Regards,
Sudhir
From India, Vadodara
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Dear Sudhir,
In addition to the points you have mentioned above, in situations where the noisy area cannot be avoided, such as working in quarries or being surrounded by noisy machines like big compressors and DG sets, it is advisable to use personal protective equipment, such as ear muffs and ear plugs, for the personnel working in those areas.
Thanks
From India, Mumbai
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In addition to the points you have mentioned above, in situations where the noisy area cannot be avoided, such as working in quarries or being surrounded by noisy machines like big compressors and DG sets, it is advisable to use personal protective equipment, such as ear muffs and ear plugs, for the personnel working in those areas.
Thanks
From India, Mumbai
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Dear Murdhar,
DG set is supposed to have an acoustic enclosure. If both the compressor and DG set are in one room, you may consider an acoustic room for both of them together.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be used as a last line of defense. You should not rely solely on PPE.
Thanks & Regards,
Sudhir
From India, Vadodara
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DG set is supposed to have an acoustic enclosure. If both the compressor and DG set are in one room, you may consider an acoustic room for both of them together.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be used as a last line of defense. You should not rely solely on PPE.
Thanks & Regards,
Sudhir
From India, Vadodara
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Dear Sudhir,
An acoustic enclosure for noisy machines is designed to prevent noise from reaching external persons, rather than those working near the machines. Operators and maintenance technicians, who need to frequently visit the machines to check their normal operation, cannot avoid the noise generated by them. Therefore, it is essential for them to use personal protective equipment such as ear muffs and ear plugs.
Typically, during the design stage of machine specifications, the permissible noise level is set to be less than 90 dB (decibels). However, factors such as aging, faulty design, improper balancing, among others, can contribute to higher noise levels than the specified limit. It is the responsibility of operators and maintenance technicians to identify the causes of these high noise levels and take necessary steps to eliminate them.
I hope this clarifies the situation.
Thank you.
From India, Mumbai
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An acoustic enclosure for noisy machines is designed to prevent noise from reaching external persons, rather than those working near the machines. Operators and maintenance technicians, who need to frequently visit the machines to check their normal operation, cannot avoid the noise generated by them. Therefore, it is essential for them to use personal protective equipment such as ear muffs and ear plugs.
Typically, during the design stage of machine specifications, the permissible noise level is set to be less than 90 dB (decibels). However, factors such as aging, faulty design, improper balancing, among others, can contribute to higher noise levels than the specified limit. It is the responsibility of operators and maintenance technicians to identify the causes of these high noise levels and take necessary steps to eliminate them.
I hope this clarifies the situation.
Thank you.
From India, Mumbai
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Sudhir is right that the noise level has to be controlled at the source. If for any reason you cannot reduce the noise level to 90 dB, then the Factory Rules provide to curtail the exposure period - half time for each 5 dB rise. For example, if it is 95 dB, only 4 hours of work in that particular area are allowed, and if it is 100 dB, only 2 hours of exposure are permitted. This is just on paper, and I have not heard if it is enforced even at a single unit. If anyone knows, please let us know.
The Gujarat Factory Rule 102 has a schedule for High Noise, according to which once a year, each worker exposed to high noise should undergo an audiometry test. Many factories carry it out but do not provide the report to the workers or explain the content of the report to the worker. The Factories Act also provides to notify cases of Noise-induced hearing loss to the concerned authority, which again is not being done. We have helped several workers in power plants, textiles, chemicals, engineering to get diagnosed and claim compensation for the damage under the ESI Act.
From India, Coimbatore
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The Gujarat Factory Rule 102 has a schedule for High Noise, according to which once a year, each worker exposed to high noise should undergo an audiometry test. Many factories carry it out but do not provide the report to the workers or explain the content of the report to the worker. The Factories Act also provides to notify cases of Noise-induced hearing loss to the concerned authority, which again is not being done. We have helped several workers in power plants, textiles, chemicals, engineering to get diagnosed and claim compensation for the damage under the ESI Act.
From India, Coimbatore
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Dear PTRC,
Happy to see your contribution after a long time.
Dear Murdhar,
PTRC has explained in the correct way. For every 5 dBA increase in noise level, the exposure time of the workmen should be reduced by half. If you have a focus on complying with the legal laws, you should be able to find ways out.
Regarding air compressors, the noisy compressors that were usually reciprocating type have now been replaced by screw compressors. They too come with acoustic enclosures. These are energy-efficient as well. Many companies have replaced old compressors with screw types and enjoyed payback within less than 12 months with a reduction in noise levels.
Thanks & Regards,
Sudhir
From India, Vadodara
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Happy to see your contribution after a long time.
Dear Murdhar,
PTRC has explained in the correct way. For every 5 dBA increase in noise level, the exposure time of the workmen should be reduced by half. If you have a focus on complying with the legal laws, you should be able to find ways out.
Regarding air compressors, the noisy compressors that were usually reciprocating type have now been replaced by screw compressors. They too come with acoustic enclosures. These are energy-efficient as well. Many companies have replaced old compressors with screw types and enjoyed payback within less than 12 months with a reduction in noise levels.
Thanks & Regards,
Sudhir
From India, Vadodara
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Ok, Mr. Sudhir,
What about heavy DG sets (>2 MW engines)? The noise level cannot be reduced, and the operators or the working personnel in and around the machines have to wear personal protective equipment. There is no other choice.
From India, Mumbai
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What about heavy DG sets (>2 MW engines)? The noise level cannot be reduced, and the operators or the working personnel in and around the machines have to wear personal protective equipment. There is no other choice.
From India, Mumbai
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Dear All,
So far, great discussion... Thank you all for participating and providing valuable inputs.
Dear Mr. Bipin Gautam,
Please let me know how you are conducting this walkabout survey. What equipment are you using for this survey?
Recently, I saw a portable noise monitoring device with the marketing executive of M/s. Honeywell. Similar to how we conduct personal sampling to determine the average dust exposure during an 8-hour workday for individuals in dusty environments, this equipment can be utilized. The employee simply attaches this small, convenient device to their pocket or belt and carries on with their 8-hour work shift, including lunch break. Afterward, the results are noted to assess the exposure over the entire work duration and plan preventive measures accordingly.
Please share your approach for this survey. In the traditional method, we typically monitor exposure from a distance of 5 to 10 meters momentarily from the noise source and record the findings. However, measuring exposure over the full 8-hour period seems more effective than the traditional approach.
I look forward to hearing comments from all members regarding this matter.
Thank you.
From India
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So far, great discussion... Thank you all for participating and providing valuable inputs.
Dear Mr. Bipin Gautam,
Please let me know how you are conducting this walkabout survey. What equipment are you using for this survey?
Recently, I saw a portable noise monitoring device with the marketing executive of M/s. Honeywell. Similar to how we conduct personal sampling to determine the average dust exposure during an 8-hour workday for individuals in dusty environments, this equipment can be utilized. The employee simply attaches this small, convenient device to their pocket or belt and carries on with their 8-hour work shift, including lunch break. Afterward, the results are noted to assess the exposure over the entire work duration and plan preventive measures accordingly.
Please share your approach for this survey. In the traditional method, we typically monitor exposure from a distance of 5 to 10 meters momentarily from the noise source and record the findings. However, measuring exposure over the full 8-hour period seems more effective than the traditional approach.
I look forward to hearing comments from all members regarding this matter.
Thank you.
From India
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