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Measuring Noise at Work
To satisfy the European
Noise at Work regulations - Physical Agents (Noise) Directive
2003/10/EC - and the HSE's Controlling Noise at Work guidelines,
you need at least a Type 2 Integrating Sound Level Meter,
along with a Sound Level Calibrator.
When the measured noise level (LAeq) is particularly high, for
example greater than 90 to 95 dB(A), it is important that the correct
grade of hearing protector is provided. You should not under-protect
or over-protect a worker and the best way to assess a hearing protector's
performance is to measure the noise levels using an Octave Band
Integrating Sound Level Meter. You can then calculate the level
at the ear with different protectors, or better still, let some
software do it for you.
Following is a basic description of making noise at work measurements
using the Model 84 Sound Level Meter with Calibrator:
- Check the operation of the sound level meter using the Calibrator
(required by the noise at work regulations).
- Make a simple LAeq and LCPeak measurement.
- When high levels are found (or concerns of over-protecting),
make an Octave Band sweep.
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Checking the Calibration
Before starting a new set of measurements you should check
the calibration and operation of the meter using a Calibrator.
- Push the Calibrator firmly onto microphone
- Switch the Calibrator to 94dB
- Press Cal key on meter
The rest is automatic and the meter shows the results of
the calibration. |
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Making the Measurements
1. Position the microphone
2. Select a suitable measurement range
3. Press the Start key on the meter
4. Wait for the Leq to settle or measure until a representative
sample of the noise has been obtained
5. Press the Stop key
You should now note the Leq and Peak readings for your Noise
at Work records and reports. |
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Octave Band Measurement
To make an Octave Band noise measurement:
- Switch the meter into Octave Band mode
using the Octave key.
- Position the microphone
- Press Start
The meter will automatically cycle through all ten octave
bands and continue to do this until you press Stop.
It is important to run the meter long enough to get a good
sample of the noise level in each band. |
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Assess the Hearing Protectors
The results from the octave band measurement can now be
used to calculate the level at the ear using different
hearing protectors. To reduce the amount of manual calculation
involved, the Analyzer software that is included can do all the calculations
for you. |
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