Ambient Noise Measurements: Quiet and Safe Workspaces

What are the Occupational Diseases Caused by Noise?

What is Noise?

Undesirable sound is called noise. Noise affects the psyche and nervous system and the sense of hearing. The unit of sound intensity is the decibel, denoted by the letters dB. Zero (0) decibel is the threshold (limit) of hearing. This means that we do not hear sounds below zero decibels. Sounds above 75 decibels are dangerous.

What is noise-induced hearing loss?

There are two periods due to prolonged exposure to noise in hearing difficulty or loss that persists even after the noise is over due to damage to the sensory cells in the organ in the inner ear that receives the sense of sound and corrosive changes in the ear snail;

1. Hearing fatigue--It is only a sensory, temporary decrease in hearing.
2. Symptom period - the hearing impairment or loss is irreversible.

What are the main jobs that pose a risk of disease?

• Bodywork and riveting with hammers,
• Rolling, polishing and smoothing of metals, sheet metal, smoothing of surfaces, removal of boiler stones in steam boilers, air-press sand cleaning and metal spraying,
• Inlaying, punching, hammering, riveting,
• Some saws and planing machines,
• Shuttle beating in weaving looms, other machines and looms that make noise in the textile industry,
• Crushing of mineral ores, crushing mills, hammer mills, ball mills, vibrating screens,
• Automatic loading of metal carriers,
• Stone cutting,
• Gas turbines, compressors, aspirators,
• Work with noisy vehicles such as rammers, bulldozers, excavators (street, house construction, etc.)
• Workplaces where engines (piston, jet, etc.) are inspected, repaired and tested,
• Engine rooms of diesel engines used in dredge pontoons, railroad and sea vehicles,
• Airlines (ground staff, mechanics, flight crew, etc.),
• Tree felling with portable chainsaws,
• Musicians.

Who is subjected to a hearing test?

Hearing tests must be performed for employees working in areas with noise levels exceeding 85 dB(A). It can also be performed on any group of employees according to the health risks in the workplace and the request of the workplace physician.

Is Permanent Hearing Loss Due to Noise an Occupational Disease?

In order for noise damage to be considered an occupational disease, it is necessary to have worked for at least two years in a noisy workplace and at least 30 days in a workplace where the noise intensity is constantly above 85 decibels.

How does noise at your workplace manifest itself?

If you have to raise your voice when talking to someone 1 meter away at work, if you raise the volume of your radio or television in your home or car at the end of work to a level that is disturbing to others, if you have ringing or buzzing in your ears at the end of work, if you have trouble understanding the other person's conversation in a crowded environment outside of work, a noise problem in your workplace should be suspected.

How to Measure Noise in the Workplace?

There are specially designed devices for this. These devices can measure the ambient noise or the noise to which a particular person is exposed.

What is the Maximum Allowable Noise Level in the Workplace?

In our country, the average noise level to which employees are exposed in an 8-hour working day cannot exceed 87 dB(A), with or without the use of ear protection. That is, this noise level is not the ambient noise level, but the noise level reaching the ear. In other words, when calculating this, if ear protection is used, its protective effect must also be taken into account.

What is the maximum number of hours per day that can be worked in noisy work?

An employee may work for a maximum of 7.5 hours a day in jobs with noise levels exceeding 85 dB(A).

When should personal ear protective equipment be used?

When the noise level in the workplace reaches or exceeds 85 dB(A), measures should be taken to reduce the resulting noise, and if these measures are not sufficient, personal protective equipment (earmuffs, plugs, etc.) should be used.

Which Method is Used for Personal Noise Exposure Measurement?

As NANOLAB laboratories group, we carry out personal noise exposure measurements of employees in the workplace environment with TS EN SO 9612 method with TÜRKAK accredited İSGÜM permission.

Nanolab Laboratories Group continues to provide services within the scope of Ambient Noise Measurements. We also provide services in Emission Measurements.

Contact us for more information.

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