Looking to comply with the Noise at Work Regulations? Pulsar can help.

If you operate a noisy workplace and are not sure whether the noise levels are within the current Noise Regulations, the safest way to establish whether you comply with the law is to measure noise.

You can, of course, undertake a few simple tests to start with to check whether there is a risk. For example, if you need to shout at 2m from somebody to make yourself heard or experience stress when noise starts or relief when it stops, the noise levels are likely to be at or above 85dB(A). This is around or above the recommended level for action and means that the noise is potentially harmful to hearing. It is not recommended to rely just on these rules or the human ear alone because of the effects of Temporary Threshold Shift. Rather, accurate measurements of noise at work by a competent person with a compliant professional sound level meter is recommended in this case.

Measure noise at work with a professional sound level meter

A sound level meter is a hand held instrument used by safety professionals to measure sound pressure level, commonly used in occupational noise surveys for the quantification of different kinds of noise.

Field calibration is a requirement for most occupational and environmental noise monitoring legislation. Noise monitoring equipment such as a sound level meter or personal noise dosimeters should be calibrated prior and after each measurement session.

Calibration should be carried out using a suitable acoustic calibrator that fits perfectly over sound level meter’s microphone capsule.

A windshield is an important accessory for your noise measurement device. It reduces the influence of wind during outdoor monitoring. It protects your meter’s microphone capsule from moisture and from accidental knocks.

When using a sound level meter, point it at the worker’s ear(s), 100mm from ear or at the level where the operative’s head would normally be. When measuring machine noise, place yourself 1m from the machine and at a height of 1.5m.

It is good practice to talk to workers to establish typical working practices and activities together with the allocated durations for each activity. Allow enough time to get a representative measurement. Write down the LAeq and ‘C’ weighted Peak figures displayed on your sound level meter.

For information on occupational noise measurement technology such as sound level meters or personal noise exposure meters from Pulsar Instruments plc, consult our website.