What equipment is used for occupational noise monitoring?
Occupational noise monitoring requires specialised equipment designed to measure sound levels accurately in the workplace. The choice of equipment depends on whether you're conducting spot checks, personal exposure assessments, or detailed noise surveys.
1. Sound Level Meter (SLM)
- Purpose: Measures instantaneous sound pressure levels.
- Used for: Spot measurements in specific locations or near machinery.
2. Personal Noise Dosimeter - Purpose: Worn by the worker to measure cumulative noise exposure over a shift.
- Used for: Measuring LEP,d (daily) or LEP,w (weekly) exposure in real-world conditions.
3. Octave Band Analyzer / Integrating SLM - Purpose: Breaks down noise into frequency bands to identify problematic sources.
- Used for: Selecting effective hearing protection (match attenuation to frequency).
4. Calibrator - Purpose: Ensures that SLMs and dosimeters are accurate.
- Used for: Calibrating measurement devices before and after use.