Sound and noise levels, laws and regulations
There are many regulations that regulate the permitted noise levels in the workplace. In Europe, workplace noise is regulated by the EU Directive 2006/42 / EC, and in the United States by the OSHA standard 1910.95 Occupational Noise. OSHA is composed of the initials of Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the federal agency responsible for the implementation of occupational health and safety in the United States. There are also countries with stricter national standards than those specified in EU directives or OSHA.
Laws and regulations
The EU Directive 2006/42 / EC and the OSHA 1910.95 “Occupational noise exposure” directives in the United States are examples of regulations for the management of workplace noise. OSHA “Occupational Safety and Health Administration” is the abbreviation of “Occupational Safety and Health Administration olan, the federal unit responsible for ensuring the implementation of occupational health and safety legislation in the USA. Some countries have even more stringent national requirements than those specified in the EU Directives or OSHA.
Under the EU directive, environmental requirements should be met for the lowest possible noise level, especially in light of technological advances and possibilities to control noise at the sound source. In order to overcome these rules, the reasons must be investigated. A timetable for the action plan should be formulated and implemented. Noise exposure should be reduced as much as possible below the values specified in practice.
Employees should receive sufficient information about the levels and measures taken. Information about the necessity of wearing ear plugs and the risk of hearing loss that may be exposed should be provided.
Machinery and technical equipment should be designed according to the latest technical developments to reduce noise. It is therefore important to monitor technological advances in noise control. Reducing noise directly from the source of noise is often the most efficient and economical method.
When determining the lowest applicable level of noise exposure, it is important to consider the latest technical developments and possibilities for limiting noise.
Under the EU Directive, previous references can now be used for the economic feasibility of noise prevention measures. One objective of the EU Directive is to prevent companies and countries from increasing their competitiveness through a weak working environment.
National and international regulations
Almost all regulations regarding workplace noise indicate that exposure to noise should be limited to a maximum sound level of 85 to 90 dB (A) Leq for eight hours. This limitation is based on the guidelines of the International 1999: 1990 ISO standards.
The European Directive 2003/10 / EC defines the maximum limit for exposure to workplace noise at 87 dB (A) Leq for an eight-hour working day.
The US allows 90 dB (A) and an exchange rate of 5 dB (A) for an eight-hour day, while France, Sweden, Norway, New Zealand and Spain have 85 dB (A) for an eight-hour day. and a change rate of 3 dB (A). A change rate of 3 dB (A) means that the time that a person can be exposed to noise is halved if the sound level exceeds 3 dB (A).
In the UK, in the 2005 labor law, noise control is limited to 87 dB (A) Leq for eight hours in accordance with the EU Directive.
As it is known, developing countries adopted laws and regulations determined by developed countries without making any big calculations for local conditions. For example, India set the noise exposure limit to 90 dB (A) on an eight-hour working day in 1948, but all factories in India have 6 working days per week. Total exposure to noise is 48 hours per week. As a result, the total exposure time is higher than the approved limit in developed countries.
OSHA 1910.95 determines the values of exposure to noise in workplaces. The limits are based on the weighted average of a worker's working time of eight hours a day. OSHA has established a maximum exposure limit (PEL) of 90 dB (A) for all employees working eight hours a day. These levels are applied with a change rate of 5 dB (A).
The National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) in the United States states that the equivalent noise level a worker is exposed to should be limited to 85 dB (A) for an eight-hour working day to minimize the risk of hearing damage. Based on updated literature studies, NIOSH has found significant hearing loss that may occur even at levels in line with OSHA PEL. NIOSH recommends an increase rate of 3 dB (A); thus, each increase in 3dB (A) halves the allowable exposure time.
Example: OSHA permits eight hours of exposure time for a noise level of 90 dB (A), and only two hours for 100 dB (A). NIOSH recommends limiting exposure to noise below 85 dB (A) to eight hours. For 100 dB (A), it recommends a daily exposure time of less than fifteen minutes.
In 1981, OSHA introduced new requirements to protect workers in the manufacturing industry. Where the worker is exposed to a weighted equivalent noise level of 85 dB (A) or more during an eight-hour shift, the employer must implement a hearing protection program. Employers should measure noise levels, provide annual hearing tests free of charge, provide hearing protection and practice, and additionally assess safety measures unless workers are confident that they are exposed to levels below 85 dB (A) by changing their work practices, tools and equipment.
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