OHS Noise Measurements: Effective Solutions to Protect Employee Health

What are OHS Noise Measurements? Why should noise measurements be made in workplaces?

Noise and Employee Health

Noise is an environmental factor that can directly affect human hearing health. High levels of noise can not only cause hearing loss, but can also lead to other health problems.

Health Effects of Noise:

1. Hearing Loss:
• Long-term high sound levels can cause permanent hearing loss.
• Sound levels of 85 decibels (dB) and above increase the risk of hearing loss.
2. Psycho-physiological Effects:
• High noise can lead to stress, anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances.
• Those who work at high noise levels may experience loss of concentration and fatigue.
3. Cardiovascular Problems:
• Constant exposure to noise can increase the risk of heart disease.
• High noise levels can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart attack.
4. Changes in Hormone Levels:
• Noise can increase levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body.

Noise Sources and Work Areas

Noise sources in workplaces are diverse and may differ in each sector. It is important to identify noise sources in order to take effective measures.

Major Noise Sources:

• Construction and Mining Areas:
• Explosives, heavy machinery, construction equipment.
• Production and Factory Areas:
• Machinery noise, equipment on production lines, compressors.
• Office Areas:
• Telephones, conversations, air conditioners and office machines.
• Aviation and Railway Industries:
• Aircraft engines, braking systems of trains.

The permissible limits are as follows:

• Highest exposure effective value LEX,8h=85dB(A)
• Lowest exposure effective value LEX,8h = 80dB(A)
• Exposure limit values: (LEX, 8h) = 87 dB(A)

The weekly noise exposure level determined by adequate measurement must not exceed the exposure limit value of 87 dB(A).

Noise testing in the working environment is especially necessary to assess compliance with the law, when noise is considered a risk factor, when occupational diseases occur, when there is an increase in noise sources.

Noise measurements are usually carried out in the form of environmental noise, ambient noise and personal noise exposure measurements. Noise measurements are required by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security within the scope of Labor Law No. 4857 and Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331.

Nanolab Laboratories Group continues to provide services within the scope of OHS Noise Measurements. We also provide services in VOC Measurement in Workplaces.

Contact us for more information.

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