What is a noise survey?

A noise survey is the process of taking measurements of noise across the entire facility or in a specific section to determine areas that are noisy. The purpose of a survey is to determine whether employees are exposed to noise levels in the workplace that exceed the limits for exposure set in the rules (in the UK The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005) or even the limit established by the company. It is important to remember that the UK is not the only country to do this regard and that many nations have developed workplace standards for ensuring that the typical amount at which employees are exposed for an eight hour day doesn’t exceed 85dB(A).

What is the reason to conduct the noise survey?

The noise surveys can provide valuable information that allows a security professional to recognize:

Locations where employees are most at risk of being exposed hazardous levels of noise
Equipment and machinery that create hazardous levels of noise
Operatives who may be exposed to unacceptably loud levels

The survey must be conducted in a place in which noise could cause harm, such as the example of shops or assembly lines. The majority of times the survey will require taking measurements of noise levels using an instrument for measuring sound levels. Readings on noise level are taken at a favourable range of locations in the vicinity of the noisy zone. A noise map is constructed through drawing lines onto a drawing between points with the same sound level They provide useful information by clearly identifying zones that pose dangers from noise.

What is involved in an investigation of noise?

Noise can be measured with the sound level meter that displays SPLs (SPLs) measured in dB(A) along with the maximum noise level that is reached, called the sound pressure at its peak measured in Pascal (Pa).

There are two kinds of sound meter: Direct and integrated reading meters. Meters that integrate readings offer an average over a specific time period, which is a crucial method when there are significant variations in the levels of sound. This is referred to by the term continuous equivalent level, or Leq, which is usually calculated or normalised over an 8-hour period.

The sound level gauge, or in fact any device for measuring noise, should be calibrated prior to and following every measurement session. For measurements the sound level meter must be kept at arm’s reach at the height of your ear for those who are exposed to loudness. Make sure you take measurements for each ear!

In assessing the possibility of hearing loss, the position of the microphone must remain as near as is possible close to the ears of the person to benefit from the data on noise exposure is being collected. If a worker is stationary the microphone must be placed over shoulders or close as is possible. If the worker is in a standing posture the microphone should be placed approximately 1.5 meters higher than the floor. In addition, if the worker is sitting the microphone should be placed at a height of 1 centimetres higher than the floor.

In work environments that have impulse and intermittent levels of noise (but even in the cases when workers’ movements aren’t monitored or accompanied) The noise level meter was not meant to calculate an individual’s exposure to noise for the duration of the shift or a portion of their shift. Another option is to employ a noise dosemeter , also referred to in the form of Personal Sound Exposure Meter (PSEM) that is worn on the shoulders of the individual who is being interviewed and record the noise exposure and then, statistically, determines the noise exposure over similar exposure categories. The noise dosemeter can be used for just a day or for a number of days, depending on the consistency of jobs performed every day. In this situation it is not necessary to have the person who is responsible for measuring the noise to be present. Noise data is gathered and downloaded to be analysed at the conclusion of the measurement time.