Think Environment Think Casella Physical Agents (Noise) Directive Shaun Knott Noise Instrumentation Casella CEL Ltd Directive 2003/10/EC Published Feb 15 th 2003 Revised October 2005
Think Environment Think Casella
Physical Agents (Noise) Directive
Shaun Knott
Noise Instrumentation
Casella CEL Ltd
Directive 2003/10/EC
Published Feb 15th 2003
Revised October 2005
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The Basics
Z
A
C
Frequency
dB
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The Basics
Z
A
C
Frequency
dB
1KHz
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The Best Excuse EVER ! ! !
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The Basics
L= Level, A,C,Z= Weighting F,S,I = Speed The
measurement
L A F MX
LAF MX LC pk
LAF MN LA eq (Leq)
L ep’d
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The Basics
L= Level, A,C,Z= Weighting F,S,I = Speed The
measurement
L A F MX
LAF MX LC pk
LAF MN LA eq (Leq)
L ep’d
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So we need
LAF MX
LAF MN
LA eq (Leq)
LC pk
L ep’d
Ln90
Ln50
Measurement from the
meter (steady) at normal
operator position
Measurement from the
meter highest noise
level recorded
Calculated
measurement based on
actual time exposure
from the LAeq
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What is LAeq LAeq is the amount of noise we would be exposed to if
we stayed in the same area for 8 hours
It is not our actual exposure
However
We need LAeq to calculate our exposure.
Some noise meters do not give LAeq and
therefore should not be used
When measuring we use the meter to give us
a Steady Measurement or if that’s not possible
we measure one complete cycle
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What is Lep’d Lep’d is the actual exposure based on time exposed.
Hours Level
12 92 103 86 97 116
8 90 101 84 95 114 LAeq
7 89 100 83 94 113
6 89 100 83 94 113
5 88 99 82 93 112
4 87 98 81 92 111
3 86 97 80 91 110
2 84 95 78 89 108
1 81 92 75 86 105
½ 78 89 72 83 102
¼ 75 86 69 80 99
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LCpk Peek noise is the highest point measured and
also has legislation as to its level.
70
80
90
TIME
LA
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Below Lower action level Employer must:
• Reduce risks to lowest practicable level
• Keep records and make them available including
audiometry (if done)
• Buy quiet
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Lower Exposure Action
• 80dB(A) LEP,d
• 112 Pascals (LCPK= 135dB)
• Take action as in regulations
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Above Upper action level
Employer must:
• Identify all employees at risk
• Put up signs
• Review if any changes to noise levels
• Repeat assessment <2 years
• Inform employees of risk
• Provide choice of PPE on request (first aid)
• Provide training / education
• Noise Control
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Upper Exposure Action
• 85dB LEP,d
• 140 Pascals (LCPK= 137dB)
• Take action as in regulations
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Above Upper action level
Employer must:
• Demarcate as Noise Hazard Zones
• PPE must be used at all times
• Noise control to reduce exposure
• If Lepd is over 95dBA then must use octave band method to check if hearing protection is effective
Note: For peak action level, take the same action as for second action level
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Exposure limit value
• 87dB(A) LEP,d exposure limit
• 140dB LCPK exposure limit (200 Pascals)
• Is the maximum permissible estimated operator noise dose whilst wearing (and not wearing) hearing protection
• Value at the ear after taking into account any PPE
• Therefore necessary to calculate effectiveness of PPE
• NOT a target, but minimum acceptable
• Target these individuals first
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New exposure tool
• Exposure points have replaced nomogram
• Meant to allow easier assessment of higher risk activities
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Risk Assessment
• Assess risks to Health and Safety
• Done to identify actions to reduce risks
• Necessary when lower action levels likely to
be exceeded
• Should assess exposure, measure if likely to
be above second action levels
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Audiometry
• Employees over the second action level have the
right to a hearing check (audiometric test)
• As a preventative measure individuals who may be susceptible to noise below this level should also be tested e.g. those with previous damage.
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The ‘competent person’?
• Competent person will not appear in regs
• Risk assessment/control measures to be
competently planned and carried out
• Rely on ‘expert intermediaries’ for advice and
services where necessary
• Guidance will be given to judge when advice
is needed
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S.L.M. or Dosimeter?
• Two main types of instrument are used to
perform workplace noise assessments
– Sound Level Meter (SLM)
– Dosimeter
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dBadge
• Weighs only 68g
• Measures Personal Exposure
• No cable
• Display & Visual alarms
• 2 Button operation
• Automatic calibration
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Calibrators
• All instruments should be
calibrated prior to
measurement
• CEL-110
• Class 1 or 2
•Automatically adjusts for cavity
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Hearing Protection
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What do we need to
measure for correct hearing protection
• Octave band method
Needs frequency analyser 31.5Hz - 8KHz
• HML Method
Needs C and A weighted LEQ
• SNR Method
Needs C weighted LEQ
Octave band is the preferred method
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PNR = M-(H-M) / 4 x (LC - LA - 2)
OR
PNR = M-(H-M) / 8 x (LC - LA - 2)
LAeq Octave’s less
octave attenuation
Lceq - SNR
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NOISE -V- HEALTH AND SAFETY
87 dB A (Lep’d) 70 dB A
(Lep’d)
Health
&
Safety
Noise
85 dB A (Lep’d)
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Under Attenuation
Good Attenuation
Over Attenuation
85
80
75
70
Noise level
Inside the
Protected
Ear
L’A in dB(A)
Sound Level at Ear under HPE
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Lets Make it
Quieter
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Engineered Noise
Reduction
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Implications
• Cost
• New assessment
• Review PPE
• Increase noise control
• Action plan
• Time
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Questions ?
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Contact Shaun Knott
01234 844100
07730 818267