Noise Measurement and Its Effect, including Australian Workplace Health and Safety Requirements - Assignment Example

Question 1 Any noise survey is required to start with an initial noise survey. This is required for any case where the workers could be having an exposure of 82 dBA and above with a time duration of 8 hours or more or having a similar energy equivalent. The initial survey is usually inexpensive and can be considered as a red flagging exercise. The initial survey will result into the following action: no need for further action where noise is below 82 dBA; for 82 to 85 dBA the workers are to be informed that the risk is minimal and be given some information on hearing protection and audiometric testing while for the case where there is 85Dba and above like the current case a detailed noise survey becomes inevitable. This will include giving workers education on effect of noise on hearing and giving them training about the use hearing protectors. Starting a noise survey involve walking through the premises and collecting the impression of the noise that is to be assessed, establishing the types of noise being generated whether steady, intermittent type, impulsive and the range level of the noise (HSE Books, 2005) . The survey will involve identification of areas that may be quiet and which may need no further consideration which may include areas like offices. The other factors that need to be put into consideration are the number of workers in each area, the work pattern, the breaking involved when working, changes in shifts and other unusual considerations that are likely to have some effects on the results (Niquette, 2006). Usually a survey is called for whenever a new machine associated with significant noise making is introduced, removed or modified and also if walls are being added or being removed (SA,2005). The initial survey will not require a person who is highly trained. The required information will be obtained by use of basic sound level meter and this will go a long way in helping to establish if there is need for formal assessment (Kardousa,C & Willson,R, 2004). In the initial report there is need to have a suitable method of summarizing the exposure data. The written reports are required are to capture the following Identify the jobs which are over exposed according to the regulaation The final results are to be rounded up to two significant figures where a figure like 97.6 is rounded to 98 dBA Workers who need hearing protection are to be identified and also the type of hearing protection need to be identified The workers that need to put under audiometric program need to be identified The workers who need to be trained and to be educated on effects of noise on their hearing are to be identified It is required to have a statement pointing out that measurements in survey were taken in a typical noise level conditions or otherwise Any corrections in the noise measurements which is needed in order to account for some unusual or different levels of occupational therapy need to be indicated and be justified. There is need for calculation methods to be indicated where daily noise exposures will be calculated from partial noise exposures. In the surveying the shadowing technique involving sound level meter (SLM) and personal noise dosimetry over a full or partial shift will be used. In both cases the standard required that will be adhered to are: Calibration of SLM and the personal dosimeter at the field level in both pre and post readings The A frequency weighting will selected foe use in Leq readings and selection of C frequency weight for application in peak reading The other requirements are the slow time weighting and exchanging rate of 3db For the shadowing technique there will need to have a class 2 SLM but in order to achieve a higher accuracy a class1 integrating SLM will be needed. The noise measurements are supposed to be undertaken at a distance of 0.1 to 0.2 meters from the ear of the worker as observation on the task or process is being made. The person who assigned the holding of SLM is to be behind the worker in order to avoid interference by the workers performance of their duties. In obtaining the desired reading the period of measurement may vary but the important factor is that a representative reading need to be obtained. According to (HSE Books, 2002) the reading needs to be observed until a point where all variables have been taken into account. In using the dosimeter, the setting up and fitting is to be done in away that the microphone would be as close as practical possible to the wearers out ear. This may be on the shoulder or collar as the design of the dosimeter may dictate. The device would be worn by the worker ideally for full shift but wearing for part of the shift is also allowed. The tasks undertaken bear the worker wearing the docimeter will need to be record all the tasks they under take during the shift. It is also important for instruction to be given to the workers on how the devices are to be treated so as accurate results are obtained. Question 2 a) Determine the noise exposure for each group Exposure of workers in gaming room and bars Gaming area (LAeq,4min = 81dA) Time = 2hr Average number of hours worked per week = 4x2 = 8hrs/week Average shift length = 8hrs/5days = 1.6hrs/day At bar (LAeq,4min = 86) Time = 4 hrs Average number of hours worked per week = 4x4 = 16hrs/week Average shift length = 16hrs/5days = 3.2hrs/day Task dB(A) Pa2 Time Pa2h Gaming area 81 0.05 1.6 0.08 At bar 86 0.16 3.2 0.512 Sub total 0.592 /8h 0.074 Total 83 This is within the required level and the workers do not require protection. Exposure at auditoriums Auditorium live music (LAeq,4min = 95) Time = 3 hrs Average number of hours worked per week = 3x3 = 9hrs/week Average shift length = 9hrs/5days = 1.8hrs/day Auditorium DJ music (LAeq,4min = 91) Time = 3 hrs Average number of hours worked per week = 3x3 = 9hrs/week Average shift length = 9hrs/5days = 1.8hrs/day Task dB(A) Pa2 Time Pa2h Auditorium live music 95 1.28 1.8 2.3 Auditorium DJ music 91 0.51 1.8 0.92 Sub total 3.22 /8h 0.4 Total 90 From the table results it can be seen that the exposure at auditorium is 90 which is above the daily dose. b) If the exposure is excessive specify the type of hearing protection that would be suitable for immediate protection in SEG (3 marks) For workers in gaming room and bars the exposure is not excessive and there is no need for protection In the auditoriums the workers are exposed excessive noise and they will need protection. In the auditorium the workers are exposed to a noise level of 90 dB and this call for a class 1 hearing protection. When this type of protection is put into use there will be reduction of noise level exposure to 76dB. It is important also to note that the attenuation that is stated will always have a higher value that of the field result as a result of fitment as well as ear canal shape. With the recommended level of protection being between 70-80 dB the workers in auditorium could also use a class to ear plugs for protection whose maximum noise level inside the ear will be at 71dB in order to avoid over protection. In the process of selection of the ear plugs, those that can be used properly at all times are to be considered. Other factors to be put into consideration are type of work environment, verbal communication, weight of plugs, comfort, the tasks at hand and the clamping force required. c) If the noise exposure is excessive suggest practical options to reduce the noise exposure for the workers in the SEG (3 marks) The positioning of speakers may reduce the direct noise exposure to workers considerably with isolation mountings being an option for reducing structural transmittance. The reflected noise is to be reduced considerably through acoustic absorption. The bars are to be positioned away from dance floors and the areas of performance. There is need for the staff to be provided with off-duty areas where the noise levels are below 80dB d) Would any additional protection be needed should a person do the full shift days in gaming room/bar area and then do the 3 days of full shift in the auditorium? Include any calculations that lead to your answer. (3 marks) The need for extra protection will depend on the level of extra expose to noise at the auditorium. This will be determined by finding the total percentage exposure. Exposure of workers in gaming room and bars =52 % of daily dose Exposure of workers in auditoriums = 326% of daily dose Total exposure = 52+326 = 378% of daily dose At 378% of daily dose exposure = 91dB This is a clear indication that there will be no need for extra protect References British Standards Institution (2002). Hearing protectors. Safety requirements and testing. Ear-muffs with electrical audio input BS EN 352-6:2002 HSE Books 2002 Use of contractors: A joint responsibility Leaflet INDG368 (single copy free or priced packs of 10 ISBN 978 0 7176 2566 6) HSE Books (2005) Controlling noise at work. The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. Guidance on Regulations L108 (Second edition) ISBN 978 0 7176 6164 Niquette P. (2006).‘Hearing Protection for Musicians’, The Hearing Review, The Building Regulations 2000 (as amended) Building Bulletin 93 Acoustic design of schools. The Stationery Office 1999 The Education (School Premises) Regulations 1999 SI 1999 No 2 ISBN 978 0 11 080331 9 SA 2005,Occupational noise management: Part1:Measurement and assessment of noise Immission and exposure, AS/NZS 1269.1:2005, SA, Kardousa,C & Willson,R 2004, ‘Limitations of Using Dosimeters in Impulse Noise Environments’,Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, vol.1,no.7,pp.456--‐462 Appendix 1 Read More