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NOISE AT WORK
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HEARING CONSERVATION FOR

A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE

Occupational Safety and Health is a major concern throughout the

world. A problem such as a broken limb, the loss of an eye or per-
sistent backache have to be dealt with and measures taken to mini-
mize the risk of these things happening at the workplace. However, it
comes as a surprise to many that loss of hearing caused by noise at
the workplace is second only to the broad category “disorders of the
locomotor system” on the list of occupational diseases. Millions of
people suffer from noise induced hearing loss (NIHL), resulting in a
reduced quality of life. The costs of compensation and early retire-
ment payments are immense.

Noise at work affects

many people. Noise
induced hearing loss
is the second most
common occupational
disease.

Hearing conservation programs are implemented in most countries

and governed by international and national standards and legislation.
Any such program involves an assessment of the noise problem, noise
control and noise reduction measures. Important aspects of hearing
conservation programs are the management of data, reporting of prog-
ress and the retrieval of data, for example, when claims are made.

Managing Data
Noise generated by a single machine affects all people in a working
area and individual data must be kept for all of them. The data are
archived in accordance with legislative requirements and must be
easily accessible when compensation claims are made.

Reporting
Companies that run hearing conservation programs do more than file
data. Reports have to be prepared for the management, the authorities
and the workforce. Getting the needed overview of data to include in
different types of reports is greatly facilitated when using specially
designed modern software, such as 7825 Protector™.
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The permitted noise level for a

working day is, in most countries,
set at 85 dB, in some at 90 dB. But
in many cases, action, such as
making hearing protection
equipment available, must be
taken at 80 dB. There is a
worldwide trend to lower the
permitted noise exposure. Data from hearing conservation
programs must be gathered and
combined into reports for the
Is it too Expensive? management, the workforce and
Hearing conservation programs may seem costly. You have to buy new the authorities. Dedicated software
instruments and software, the programs run for years, and a lot of allows you to download data
people have to be monitored. And yet the investment necessary to run from any sound level meter or
a successful program may well be one of the best you will ever make. noise dose meter and assign it
A hearing conservation program not only protects employees from to people or working points.
hearing loss, but also protects employers from compensation claims. An immediate assessment of
the possible noise problems
is made and the result
inserted into the report.
Assessing Noise Exposure
The essential issue in fighting noise induced hearing loss is the assess-
ment of noise exposure. Hearing loss can be immediate with extreme
sound levels, but, in general, the problem is exposure to noise day
after day, year after year. Harmful noise levels do not always cause
pain, so there is, more often than not, no immediate reaction or com-
plaint from the workforce. Unfortunately, however, when a person
does realize that his/her hearing is severely impaired, it is too late to
do anything about it.

Measuring Personal Noise Exposure

One method for evaluating the noise exposure for a particular person is
the use of noise dose meters. These are small, lightweight instruments
worn throughout the working day. The microphone is placed close to
the ear, often attached to the collar. The noise exposure of the person is
then measured and is usually recorded directly as a percentage of the
allowed daily exposure. This method is indispensable when work-
ers move from place to place with no fixed schedule.

Some dose meters accumulate the exposure of one day

into one result that is stored in the instrument for later
reading and downloading. Noise Dose Meter Type
4442 is such an instrument. More advanced dose
meters can also log the measurements and produce a
statistical analysis of the noise levels. Logging Noise
Dose Meters Type 4443 does just that, allowing you to
study when and where excessive noise levels occurred,
helping you take proper preventive action.

Measuring Sound Levels

at the Working Point
In the many cases where working points are fixed (e.g.,
a punch press or pneumatic nailing machine) and work
schedules known, the noise exposure can be computed
from the data gathered at those working points using

A noise dose meter must be sturdy, lightweight and easy to set

up correctly. Accidental operation must be prevented as that
may invalidate the results. Compliance with ISO, OSHA, DOD or
other standards is essential.
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Sound levels at specific working

points are measured using an
integrating sound level meter.
The instrument must be able to
Data from noise dose meters and sound level meters should be stored in the store and retrieve a number of
same database. 7825 Protector supports all dose meters and sound level meters measurements that can later be
and data from all instruments can be combined in the evaluation. assigned to the proper working
points. Sound level meters have
other important uses in hearing
an integrating sound level meter. Noise levels are measured at each protection programs (see elsewhere
working point and assigned according to each worker’s schedule (e.g., in this brochure) and can prove
3 hours at one task, 4 hours at another). From these data, each useful for making, for example,
worker’s noise exposure can be computed. Type 2239 is a good general noise maps and frequency
purpose tool for this, and 2238 Mediator™ is ideal for making such analyses of noise.
measurements with its ease-of-use and its ability to gather all data in
one shot and store them automatically. 7825 Protector soft-ware does
all the computation and bookkeeping and even lets you evaluate the
effects of changing the work schedule or reducing noise levels at spe-
cific working points.
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Noise Maps of Noise Level Distribution

For a hearing protection program to be successful, it is important to
know how noise levels are distributed in the factory hall or throughout
a complex. Authorities often request a noise map from companies
where excessive noise levels are suspected. The data for a noise map
is obtained with sound level meters such as 2238 Mediator or ana-
lyzers such as 2260 Investigator™.

It is important to make a survey of noise levels and create a noise map

before setting up a large-scale protection program. These allow you to
concentrate your efforts on problem areas and avoid gathering unnec-
essary data.

Modeling Noise
Sometimes it is difficult, impossible or even hazardous to make routine
measurements. This can be the case at, for example, refineries and
chemical plants. In order to assess noise problems, a model of the
sound field can be built on the basis of
the sound power generated by the
noise sources. 7810 Predictor ™
software is available for this purpose.
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Factory Hall Acoustics

The sound levels in a factory hall do not depend on the noise emitted
from machinery and manufacturing processes alone. Noise levels
depend very much on the acoustic properties of the hall. The essential
parameter is the Reverberation Time (RT) that tells how sound levels
build up and vanish in the hall.

The Problem
Many factory halls have very long reverberation time. Concrete floors
and large surfaces (walls and roof) with little damping effect cause
sound to linger. Noisy machinery placed close to reflecting walls, or
even in corners, can result in excessive sound levels throughout the
factory hall. In a factory hall with better acoustic properties, the same
machinery may not cause the same problems because the noise levels
will only be high close to the source.

Measuring Reverberation Time

RT is measured by either using interrupted sound (a powerful sound
source abruptly shut off ) or impulsive sound (most often a shot with a
starting pistol). In industrial settings the latter is a common method.
2260 Investigator can make fast, automated RT measurements using
both methods. The results include a full spectral analysis that is vital
for selecting the correct damping material to solve the noise problems.

Measuring Spatial Decay

The spatial decay shows how a constant level from a sound source
propagates. In a factory hall with hard reflecting floor, ceiling and
walls, the level decays very slowly with distance. So a noisy machine at
one end of a factory hall can produce deafening noise levels at the
other end of the hall. If you measure sound levels, using 2260 Investi-
gator or 2238 Mediator and a sound source (e.g., 4295 OmniSource™),
you can map the spatial decay, determine whether more sound absorp-
tion is needed, and measure the effect after making improvements.

A noise map showing the distribution of sound levels in a factory hall

is an important tool to assess the severity of noise problems. The acoustic
properties of the hall, as gauged from the reverberation time, are as
important as the sound power of the machinery.
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Solving Noise Problems

In many manufacturing processes it is not possible to get rid of noise
problems completely. There are many simple, low-cost measures that
can be taken to reduce noise, for example, the proper maintenance of
machinery, but it is often necessary to do more than that.

Selecting Hearing Protection

An obvious and frequently used means of fighting excessive noise
exposure is the use of hearing protectors. These are worn throughout
a plant or in restricted areas. Protectors come in a variety of forms
and offer widely varying damping effects. In order to select the right
hearing protection it is necessary to make a frequency analysis of the
sound. This is the only way to choose protectors that are effective at
the dominant frequencies. Both 2238 Mediator and 2260 Investiga-
tor can do this easily and efficiently. Suppliers of hearing protectors
generally specify the damping effects in octave bands, making it easy
to choose the correct devices once the spectrum is known.

Hearing protectors are selected from a wide range of

models on the basis of a noise spectrum.
The damping effect must be at the correct frequencies
for the protector to be effective. Hearing protectors
can be a necessary means to prevent loss of hearing,
but in all cases damping at the noise source or changes
in work schedules are the preferred methods.

Rotation between noisy

and less noisy working
points can be a simple
way of solving a noise
exposure problem.
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Changing the Work Schedule

In many factories only a few of the manufacturing processes pose a
serious noise problem. And often only a fraction of the workforce is
affected by excessive noise exposure. This situation makes a simple
and elegant noise control measure a feasible option – simply change
the work schedule so that none of the workforce exceeds a 100% noise
dose. 7825 Protector can help you with this task. The names of per-
sons exposed to too much noise can be automatically retrieved from
the database and the work schedule investigated. A change in the
work schedule can be entered in a “what-if” analysis and the resulting
exposure is immediately recalculated. This means that you can esti-
mate the result of rotating workers be-
tween noisy and less noisy workplaces
on-screen.

Locating the Noise Source and

Measuring the Sound Power
Fighting noise problems is ideally done by locating
the noise sources and reducing the noise emitted. Whi-
le it can be easy to identify the machinery that emits noi-
se, it can be much more difficult to pinpoint exactly whe-
re the noise is generated. 2260 Investigator can be fitted
with a sound intensity probe to make the job easier. When
measuring sound intensity, you not only measure the sound
level but also the direction in which the sound propagates. With
Investigator an on-the-spot search for the source can be made.
This is an advanced technique made easy by on-screen guidance.
Using the same equipment the sound power of machinery can be
determined in-situ.

Reduction of noise at the source is the

preferred way of fighting noise problems.
The first step is identifying the exact
location of the noise source. This task
can be greatly eased by measuring the
direction as well as the level of the sound
(sound intensity measurements).
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Hand-Arm Vibration
Hand-held power tools, such as chisels, drills and pressure hammers,
expose the user to vibration. The vibration transmitted to the hand-
arm system is called Hand-Arm Vibration (HAV) and can be a major
health concern. Excessive exposure over long periods can result in the
so-called “white finger” syndrome, also known as Raynaud’s syn-
drome. As in the case for noise induced hearing loss, this is a disease
that is often diagnosed when it is too late to do anything. Early symp-
toms are cold-induced white fingers, followed by permanent loss of
feeling and dexterity.

Measuring HAV
For measuring hand-arm vibration
levels, a special vibration meter is need-
ed such as Hand-Arm Vibration Meter
Type 2537. Measurements are done
with a special, standardized frequency
weighting in order to assess the vibra-
tion only at frequencies relevant for
inducing white finger. In general, noise
measurements are made more frequent-
ly than vibration measurements, and an
attractive alternative is 2239B Control-
ler, that measures noise as well as
vibration. You can use the same instru-
ment for both types of measurement
and alternate between mounting a
microphone and an accelerometer.

Hand-arm vibration measurements

must be made during normal use
of the object under investigation.
An accelerometer is mounted on the
object and the measurements made
using a sturdy, hand-held instrument.
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Brüel & Kjær’s Occupational

Dealing with Noise and Vibration Health Group, consisting of
Noise and vibration problems at work have been a concern for application experts and
Brüel & Kjær for more than 40 years. Right from our early days we have engineers, teams up with
aimed to provide our customers (health and safety officers, consultants, customers and other
authorities and insurance companies) with innovative and practical experts in the field.
solutions. Today, we are strengthening our efforts.

A Dedicated Occupational Health Group

Brüel & Kjær has a core of international application specialists and
engineers working in the field of occupational health. This group of
experts has the task of constantly improving and expanding the solu-
tions we offer. We strive towards making it easier for you to conduct pre-
cise and useful measurements, and even more importantly we would like
to make data available in a way that suits your way of working, helping
you improve your efficiency. Your feedback is invaluable, and your com-
ments and suggestions are very welcome.

The Sound and Vibration Company There is no excuse for product

From modest beginnings Brüel & Kjær have evolved into a leader in the failure. The photo shows
world of sound and vibration products. We are involved in many appli- Brüel & Kjær’s microphone
cation areas. Some of the most prominent are: production facilities.
• Environmental noise measurements and predictive modeling
• Building acoustics
• Research and development in the automotive and aerospace industries
• Product quality control

Brüel & Kjær supplies complete solutions including complementary

products from our partners.
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Getting Your Money’s Worth

Brüel & Kjær offers Occupational Noise and Vibration training through-
out the world. These courses are available at both basic and advanced
levels and include up-to-date information on national and international
standards and trends as well as training in how to make the most of
your instruments in order to get valid results.

Protect Your
Investment
We know that our products Brüel & Kjær courses cover
are used for 10, 15 years or all the necessary theory and
longer before being replaced offer hands-on experience.
– much longer than your Find out what to do and
average car or television set! how to do it in practice.
Measurement instruments,
however, need to be calibra-
ted, especially as results are
used in cases of compensa-
tion claims. Brüel & Kjær has
Service Centers throughout Brüel & Kjær Service
the world, all offering tracea- Centers worldwide
ble calibrations, and in most offer traceable and
cases calibrations that are accredited calibrations.
accredited by the relevant
national bodies.

But daily use year in, year out does result in mishaps occurring. Our
Service Centers are staffed by highly skilled technicians who make
sure your instrument is promptly returned in full working order. If all
else fails, the Service Center at the Brüel & Kjær factory will help you.

Brüel & Kjær instruments are guaranteed at least 5 years’ service – not
5 years after date of purchase, but 5 years after we stop selling the pro-
duct. That’s real value for money.
BG 1387 – 12

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