ASSIGNMENT:

MEASUREMENT OF NOISE AND ITS REDUCTION

Dawood College of Engineering and Technology, Karachi

Department: Industrial Engineering and Management

MUHAMMAD EHSAN
(08-Dcet-314)

Human Factors Engineering

6th Semester 3rd year

Submission Date: 20/10/2010

Assignment No # 2

Measurement Of Noise and Its Reduction

Measurement Of Noise:
Measurement of noise is the most important part of a work place hearing conservation and noise control program. It helps identify work locations where there are noise problems, employees who may be affected, and where additional noise measurements need to be made. The most common instruments used for measuring noise are: a) Sound Level Meter b) Integrating Sound Level Meter c) Noise Dosimeter

A Sound Level Meter is an instrument designed to respond to sound in approximately the same way as the human ear and to give objective, reproducible measurement of sound pressure level. This is the basic measuring instrument for noise. It consist of a microphone that converts sound pressure variations into electrical signals, a frequency selective amplifier, a level range control, frequency weighting to shape the frequency response of the instrument, and an indicator as shown in the figure.

a) Sound Level Meter:

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Measurement Of Noise and Its Reduction

Typical applications for Integrating Sound Level Meters (ISLM) are identical to those for standard sound level meters. Integrating sound level meters can however be used to measure the average sound pressure level around noisy equipment or other sound sources where the integrating capacity can be used to determine the average sound level in space as well as time. Two main differences between Sound Level Meter and Integrating Sound Level Meter are: i. Average duration for an integrating meter is usually much longer than those for a standard sound level meter, extending to minutes, or hours. And ii. The integrating meter gives equal emphasis to all sounds that occurs during the selected averaging period, while the standard sound level meter gives more emphasis to recently occurring sounds.

b) Integrating Sound Level Meter:

c) Noise Dosimeter:
A Noise Dosimeter is a sound level meter worn by the worker. It measure and stores sound levels during an exposure period and computer the exposure as a percentage of a criterion level such as an occupational exposure limit. The noise must be measured using as a weighted filter. In noise dosimeter, the microphone is attached to the worker, whose noise exposure is being measured, placement of microphone is important in estimating exposure. The microphone is usually mounted in the ear, at the chest, or on shoulder.

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Measurement Of Noise and Its Reduction When noise levels are continuous and the worker remains essentially in one work area during the work shift, measuring noise exposure with a sound level meter is relatively straightforward. However, a noise dosimeter is preferred for measuring worker exposure when noise levels vary or are intermittent, when they contain components of impulse noise or when the worker frequently moves around during the work shift.

Equipment used in the measurement of noise levels S.No # Equipment # Specification/Area of usage #
Type-0 : Laboratory reference standard Type-1: Lab use and field use in specified controlled environment Type-2: General field use (Commonly used) Type-3: Noise survey Used to find out the noise levels in a working environment. Attached to the worker

1.

Sound level meter

2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Noise dosimeters

Frequency analyzers For detailed design and engineering purpose using a set of filters. Graphic recorders Impulse meters Calibrators
Attached to sound level meter. Plots the SPL as a function of time on a moving paper chart. For measurement of impulse noise levels e.g. hammer blows, punch press strokes etc For checking the accuracy of sound level meters.

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Measurement Of Noise and Its Reduction

Reduction Of Noise/ Noise Control:

It is illegal to expose anyone to a sound level above the prescribed limit. These limits are prescribed in the Regulation of the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act, 1986. The first step in controlling workplace noise is a noise assessment survey by the qualified people. This provides a detailed Noise Map of areas and an individual in the workplace exposed to excessive noise and identifies noisy equipments. If a noise exposure assessment confirms that workers are exposed to noise in excess of the occupational exposure limits, than the employer must develop and implement a noise control program. The program must include the following components: Conduct a Risk Assessment Posting Warning Signs Take Steps to Prevent/ Control Risks Audiometric Testing

Conduct a Risk Assessment:

Before any preventive measures are taken, it is essential to assess the risks to workers from noise, including carrying out measurement if necessary. The method of risk assessment used will depend upon the prevailing conditions in the workplace (e.g, type, duration, and level of exposure), and may include sampling of the personal exposure of workers. o Identify the different noise-related risks organization, for example: Are some staff more exposed to loud noises than other, with the potential risk of noise induced hearing loss? Or perhaps the nature of the noise is contributing to high stress levels with in the organization? o Assess how the workers are affected, including temporary and part-time staff. o Evaluate measures that are already in place to control noise level. How satisfactory are these?

Posting Warning Signs:

Warning signs must be posted at the periphery (outer boundary) of any work-area where the noise level exceeds 85 dBA. The sign should include a statement that hearing protectors must be worn while in the area. A supply of several types of hearing protectors should be readily accessible to those entering the area.

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Measurement Of Noise and Its Reduction

Take Steps to Prevent/ Control Risks:

A noise problem can be controlled by attacking the noise at the source, along its path from the source to the receiver, and at the receiver. Often a combination of noise control techniques is required to achieve the desired level of abatement (interruption in the intensity). A straightforward approach to solve a noise problem is to examine the problem in terms of its three basic elements: the source, the conveying medium and the receiver (see Figure). Unless a free field is present, both direct and reflected (reverberant) sound waves that reach the receiver must be carefully looked into. The most appropriate solution to a given noise problem requires alternation or modification of any, if or all of the three basic elements.

Techniques/Steps taken to control the noises are: i. ii. Control at the Source or Reduction at the Source (To modify the source to reduce its noise output), Control along the Path or Blocking the Noise Transmission Path (To alter or control the transmission path and the environment so as to reduce noise level reaching the recipient), And iii. Control at the Receiver or Controlling Noise at Receptor (To provide the receiver with personal protective device)

A high priority is given to the control of noise at the source, because it is much more valuable to eliminate or reduce noise even before it is emitted from a source. o Noise is mainly caused by vibration and therefore can be reduced by decreasing by either the amount of vibration or the surface area of the vibrating parts. Vibration can be reduced by proper design, maintenance, lubrication, and alignment of equipment. Isolating vibrating parts from other machine parts or
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i.

Control at the Source or Reduction at the Source:

Measurement Of Noise and Its Reduction structures by use of resilient materials such as rubber or elastomers reduces the number, and hence the surface area of vibrating sources. o Adding damping materials to machine parts to increase their stiffness or mass can reduce the amplitude of vibration as well. o Often, a potential noise problem can be adverted by selecting quieter equipment initially. It is often more economical to pay extra for quieter equipment than to purchase noisier equipment that will require additional expenditure for noise control. o Low-frequency noise is less annoying and is tolerated better than highfrequency noise. Therefore, where possible, equipment that generates lowfrequency noise should be selected over equipment that generates high-frequency noise. For example, use of a large, low-speed blower would be preferred over a smaller, high-speed blower.

When source control measures by themselves are not sufficient to avoid noise impact, then path control measures are designed and implemented. This can be done in several ways: o Fit sound-absorbent materials to ceiling and walls, (to absorb the sound along the path). o Deflect the sound in some other directions by placing a reflecting barrier in its path. o Contain the sound by placing the source inside a sound-insulating box or enclosure.

ii.

Control along the Path or Blocking the Noise Transmission Path:

o If a barrier is interposed between a sound source and a receiver, part of the sound will be: Reflected back from the barrier. Transmitted through the barrier. Diffracted around the barrier.
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Measurement Of Noise and Its Reduction

However there are numerous circumstances where source and path noise control are not feasible or sufficient. In these cases, receptor control measures are necessary which includes: o Window treatment: reinforcing the buildings noise reduction ability, because window openings are typically a buildings weakest link for noise infiltration, acoustic window treatments can significantly reduce the outside-to-inside contribution. o Community participation: open dialog to involve affected residents. o Noise Complaint process: ability to log and respond to noise complaints. The following two techniques are commonly employed: In order to limit the amount of continuous exposure to high noise levels, it is preferable to schedule an intensive noisy operation for a short' interval of time each day over a period of several days rather than a continuous 8-hour run for a day or two. Inherently noisy operations, such as street repair, factory operation and aircraft traffic should be curtailed at night or early in morning.

iii.

Control at the Receiver or Controlling Noise at Receptor:

1. Alter Work Schedule:

2. Hearing Protection Devices:

Hearing protectors are generally defined as anything worn to reduce the level or volume of sound entering the ear. Hearing protectors are subjected to many problems and should be considered as the last resort against hazardous noise situations. Hearing protectors can fail to provide adequate protection in many situations due to discomfort, incorrect use with other safety equipment, dislodgement, deterioration, etc. There are two basic types of hearing protection devices: Earplugs are inserted into ear canal. These are made of soft plastic or silicone rubber. These plugs, when properly used, provide a high degree of sound attenuation. The performance of these plugs depends dynamically on the fit, maintenance, and installation.

a) Earplugs:

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Measurement Of Noise and Its Reduction

Earmuffs cover the outer ear as an acoustic shield or barrier. These are basically hard plastic cups. A cushion seal to the head is maintained by a spring-loaded headband. The effectiveness of earmuffs depends mainly on the cushion-to-head spring. The headband must exert sufficient uniform pressure to conform the cushion to the shape of the head.

b) Earmuffs:

Earplugs, Earmuffs and other ear protectors are commercially available. They may provide noise reductions ranging from 15 to 35 dB. It should be aware that protective ear devices do interfere with speech communication and can be hazardous when warning calls from a routine part of the operation.

Audiometric Testing:
Workers exposed to noise levels exceeding the occupational exposure limits must undergo audiometric testing. The purpose of testing is to establish a baseline measurement of the workers hearing and to then monitor the workers hearing at regular intervals to detect changes in hearing ability. Audiometric testing is used to identify and diagnose hearing loss. (An Audiometer is used to determine the hearing loss in an individual)

Acoustic Materials:
Acoustic insulation materials work by two process: Absorption of sound energy, (which dissipates sound as heat energy), And Reflection, (which reflects noise away from a location where quieting is desired). A single composite insulation material will be effective as both an absorber and a reflector.

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