Acoustical Systems, Inc. has developed procedures to establish the occupational noise exposure as required by OSHA 1910.95 Occupational Noise Exposure. These workplace noise exposure monitoring procedures measure the exposure level from various types of noise, such as continuous, pure tones, and impulse noise. Reporting is in accordance with OSHA 1910.95 and ANSI Standard S12.19.

Identify Employees for Hearing Conservation Program

Employees are identified for inclusion in the hearing conservation program using the Time-Weighted Average (TWA) sound level assessment. The TWA levels are established for individuals or groups with similar job activities using either the (1) dosimetry method or the (2) Job Function Method.

Dosimetry Method

• Introduction – The Employee Time-Weighted Average (TWA) will be based on recorded noise exposure data during a full-shift sample. Employee names and/or identification numbers will be listed in the final report.
• Determination of Sound Levels – Equip selected employees with noise dosimeters for sound data collection prior to the start of the work shift. The dosimeters will be programmed to incorporate the settings specified in OSHA 1910.95 – Occupational Noise Exposure. Each sample will record noise exposure data throughout the shift in incremental samples as well as the ongoing full-shift sample.
• Noise Exposure Potential Calculations – Remove the dosimeters from the employees at the end of the work shift and download the stored sound level data from the dosimeter to process the results.
• Reporting – Submit a report that includes the results of the full shift noise dosimetry sampling and the area noise sampling with a color-coded noise contour map.

Job Function Method

• Introduction – The survey will be task and equipment based, therefore no employee names or identification numbers will be listed in the final report.
• Center of Area Sound Readings – The areas selected for testing will be divided into grid sectors. Acoustical Systems will record A-Scale maximum, average, and peak production sound levels in the areas. These levels will be used to develop color-coded noise maps.
• Job Function Analysis – Through observation and supervisor interviews, the noise assessment monitoring groups will be determined. The activity, location, time duration and noise levels of each activity/task will be recorded. The data is then processed to determine the Job Function that represents the group being studied.
• Determination of Sound Levels – Our engineers will measure the A-weighted maximum, and Production Laverage, and the unweighted peak at each activity/task. In addition, primary noise sources and critical observations will be recorded. The data is typically gathered over a period of three to five cycles of the monitored activity, or a representative duration to record an accurate task sound level.
• Noise Exposure Potential Calculations – The full-shift noise exposure potential for each employee will be calculated by applying equipment noise sampling data and exposure time factors to noise exposure equations specified in OSHA 1910.95 – Occupational Noise Exposure
• Reporting – The format and content of the Acoustical Systems reports conform to OSHA guidelines. In addition, the reports will include the location of each set of sound level measurements gathered. This information allows the client to easily audit the data.

Identify Target Areas for Noise Abatement Strategies

The implementation of engineering or administrative noise abatement strategies for specific areas will be based on the assessment of typical noise exposure potential over the long term depending on the employees’ typical job assignment. The target areas will be depicted on the Facility Noise Map.

Provide Annual Reviews of Noise Exposure

Our monitoring program can be conducted on an annual basis in order to determine if the long term exposure levels or the employee’s noise exposure classification has changed since the last survey. An employee’s noise exposure can change for many reasons including change in job, relocation of operation, addition or deletion of jobs, or employees, repair or modification of equipment, and normal or abnormal wear of equipment and length of work shift.

Noise Exposure Report and Database

Through our comprehensive workplace noise exposure monitoring procedures, we can provide a report which can be used by management personnel as well as those involved in various aspects of the plant hearing conservation program, such as medical, safety, industrial hygiene, and engineering personnel. This service will not only assure compliance with OSHA record keeping requirements, but will become a valuable part of an effective hearing conservation program.