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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