Noise

&

Heat Stress

Exposure

Jim Banach

Quest Technologies, Inc., a 3M company

jdbanach@mmm.com

800/245-0779, ext. 110

Applying Noise Measurements

• Detection

who is at risk

• Selection

the appropriate use of personal protection

• Education

making the employee part of the solution

• Elimination

the best hearing conservation is NO noise

Detection

Detection

• Instrumentation

• Metrics

• Sampling Methods

• Qualified Sampler - CAOHC

Standards & RegulationsHearing Conservation & Noise Measurement

• OHSA

29 CFR 1910.95 March 1983

• MSHA

30 CFR Part 62 September 13, 1999

• NIOSH

Pub. No. 98-126

• ACGIH

Threshold Limit Values & Biological Exposure Indices 2009

• DOD

Instruction Number 6055.12 March 5, 2004

• European Union

Directive 2003/10/EC

Sound Metrics

Term Unit of Measure Purpose

Criterion decibel The level set by regulation, that if you were exposed to

it on average for eight hours, would result in a

maximum allow-able exposure.

Threshold decibel The level set by regulation, below which all measured

values are assigned a value of zero.

Exchange Rate decibel The amount of increase from the criterion necessary to

result in a doubling of the maximum allowable

exposure, and the amount of decrease necessary for a

halving of the maximum allowable exposure.

Average Level decibel The level that if it were present continuously, would

generate an equal amount of sound energy as the

varying levels that are present in the environment.

Time Weighted

Average

decibel A level average with an assumed average sample

period of eight hours.

Dose percentage %The allowable daily exposure value. A maximum

allowable exposure is equal to 100%.

Sound Metrics

Exchange Rate (ER)

– Also known as the Doubling Rate, refers to how the sound energy is averaged over time. Using the decibel scale, every time the sound energy doubles, the measured level increases by 3 dB. For every increase of 3 dB in the time weighted average, the measured dose would double.

– Commonly used exchange rates include 3, 4 and 5 decibels. Which exchange rate is to be applied is determined by the regulation being applies, for example OSHA, MSHA, the European Union, US Department of Defense, etc.

www.3M.com/jhh

Recommended Changes to OSHA Noise Exposure Dose Calculation

Sound Metrics

Dose

While a Time Weighted Average is a decibel based measure, a dose is a

percentage of allowable exposure. Related to the Criterion Level, a dose

reading of 100% is the maximum allowable exposure to accumulated noise.

For OSHA, 100% dose occurs for an average sound level of 90 dB over an

8 hour period (or any equivalent exposure). This relationship varies

according to the regulation being applied. A TWA of 90 dB is the equivalent

of 100% dose in the OSHA scheme. The dose will double (halve) every time

the TWA increases (decreases) by the Exchange Rate.

StandardsFor Instrumentation

Sound Level Meters, Octave Band Analyzers & Real Time Analyzers

– ANSI S1.4-1983(R2001) “Specification for Sound Level Meters”

– ANSI S1.43-1997(R2002) “Specifications for Integrating Averaging Sound Level Meters

– ANSI S1.11-2004 “Specification of Octave Band Filters

– IEC 61672–1(2003) –Electroacoustics, Sound level meters, Part 1

– IEC 61672-2(2003-04)-Electroacoustics, Sound level meters, Part 2

– IEC 61260 – Electroacoustics, Octave band and fractional-octave band filters

Noise Dosimeters

– ANSI S1.25 – 1991(R1997) Specification for Personal Noise Dosimeters

– IEC 1252 – 1993 Electroacoustics, Specifications for personal sound exposure meters

Standards & RegulationsIntrinsic Safety

For some applications an instrument rated for intrinsic safety may be

required.

– UL, cUL, Atex, SIMTARS, MSHA – These agencies provide testing

laboratories and certification to standards stating where instruments can

be used safely.

– Zones, Classes, and Divisions – Terminology that users need to

understand if their environments may contain hazardous gases or

flammable fibers.

– IP Ratings – A numeric system that defines how tightly sealed an

instrument is. A good indication of water resistance.

Sound Level Meters

Dosimeters - NoisePro

Microphone Connection

Microphone with

wind Screen

Microphone Clip

• LAS – A weighted sound level in dB

• Lavg or Leq (determined by exchange rate) in dB

• TWA in dB

• Max Level in dB

• Min Level in dB

• Peak Level in dB

• Exposure in percent of allowable dose

• Run Time Battery Gas Gauge

• Memory Utilized

• Run / Pause Time

• Over Limit

• Dose Exposure Indicator

Dosimeters - Edge

1. Setting up two eg4 dosimeters 2. Send setup to instrument

Customize what appears on the display

1. Click in one of the “items to display” field.

2. Choose a field name by selecting from the “Set Selected Item” field.

3. Then click “Send Setup to Instruments” button.

Send setup to instruments (3)

Set Selected item (2)

Item to display

Measurement

What to record in addition to the sound level metrics:

1. Dates and Times

2. Model and Serial numbers of the instruments used

3. Pre and Post survey calibration levels

4. Workplace DescriptionsPlant locationBuilding numberDepartment numberFloor number

5. Task DescriptionsMachine typeMachine identificationMaterial being usedWork rate informationLot sizeMobilityVariations

6. Environmental FactorsTemperature & humidityWindRFI

7. Instrument SettingThreshold & criterion levelsSlow or fastWeightingRangeExchange rate

8. Unusual Conditions

9. Photos, Video & Recordings

Survey Methods

Learning How to Measure Noise

www.caohc.org

Impulse & ImpactPeak Measurements

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/research/impulse_conf.html

Selection

40 CFR Part 211 Product Noise Labeling

Hearing Protection Devices;

Proposed Rule EPA–HQ– OAR–2003–0024

Integration of Noise Study

with PPE Options

- Red icon appears if TWA>85dB

- Clicking on the red icon takes

customers to the page below

Customer can then narrow recommendations

based on various criteria and obtain more

information on specific protection options.

NRR Update Information

• NRRupdate.com

• http://www.e-a-r.com/hearingconservation/

Fit Test

• http://www.e-a-rfit.com/

Education

Revved

How do we reach this guy?

Hearing Protection May

Not Be Necessary

Hearing Protection May

Be Necessary

Indicates < 85 dBA Indicates > 85 dBA

Elimination

Center

Frequency

Low High

31.5 Hz 22.4 44.7

63 44.7 89.1

125 89.1 178.0

250 178.0 355.0

500 355.0 708.0

1000 708.0 1410.0

2000 1410.0 2820.0

4000 2820.0 5620.0

8000 5620.0 11200.0

1/1 Octave Filter Function

• The 1/1 octave function allows the user to display and log the sound measured in 11 discreet octave bands from 16Hz to 16KHz.

Measurement

view selector

Selected

octave band

frequency

Selected

octave band

decibel levelRun Time

Broadband

decibel level for

meter 1 or meter 2

Octave band

selected

Virtual meter

selected

Curves Function

• The curves function allows

the user to compare

measurements to a large set

of pre loaded curves or

stored data.

Data will be presented

relative to captured

curve 2

The range is +/- 32 dB

over the curve

The curve is

normalized

1 KHz measurement is

18.4 dB over the curve

1/3 Octave Filter Function

• The 1/3 octave function allows

the user to display and log the

sound measured in 33

discreet 1/3 octave bands

from 12.5Hz to 20KHz.

Sample Octave band analysis from QSP-II

for SoundPro SE/DL

ISO/FDIS 9612

Acoustics – Determination of

Occupational Noise Exposure –

Engineering Method

Noise Control Web Based

Course

www.esion.com/seminars.html

Quest Thermal Environmental

Exposure Assessment

(aka Heat Stress)

You Will Learn…

• What – is a Quest Thermal

Monitor?

• When and Why – will I use a

Quest Thermal Monitor?

• How – are the Quest Thermal

Monitors operated?

• What models and features are

available?

• Where can I find out more?

What is a Quest Thermal

Environmental Monitor?

• The Quest Thermal Environmental Monitor is a Wet

bulb, Dry bulb, Globe thermometer used to assess

human heat stress.

• It uses an accepted method to gage the effects of

temperature, humidity, and air flow on human

subjects.

• Measurements valid per ISO, ACGIH, US NAVY &

MARINE guidelines

• Models with both wet and waterless Wet bulb

thermometers are available.

• Advanced features such as data logging and stay

time calculations are optional.

Major Components of a

QUESTemp 44

The QT-44 Thermal monitor

components include:– Removable Sensor bar including

a Globe and Dry bulb

thermometer along with a

Humidity sensor

– RS232 connector

– Inputs for two additional sensor

bars

– Two line easy to read display

– Membrane keypad

Globe

Thermometer

Humidity

Sensor

Dry bulb

thermometer

Removable

Sensor bar

RS-232

Sensor

Bars 2 & 3

Two line

Display

Keypad

Basic Thermal Environmental

Measurements

• Globe temperature – Indicates radiant heat

• Wet bulb temperature – Indicates the effect

of humidity and air flow

• Dry bulb temperature – Standard ambient

air temperature

• Wet Bulb Globe temperature– WBGT (indoor) = 0.7WB + 0.3G

– WBGT (outdoor) = 0.7WB + 0.2G + 0.1DB

• Stay Times – Limit of exposure time

• Heat Index / Humidex – How warm it

feels

When to use a QUESTemp

Thermal Environmental Monitor• Hot work environments

such as power generation plants, foundries, laundries, kitchens, and bakeries

• Sports training and events such as football, tennis, and soccer games

• Military training and deployment where ever heat exposure may be a problem

How to Run an Area Heat Stress

Survey

1. Make sure the wet bulb wick is clean. Fill reservoir

with distilled water. Note: This step can be

skipped if a waterless model.

2. Place the instrument in the work area approx. 3.5

feet off the ground.

3. Turn unit on. If the battery is less than or equal to

6.4 volts replace or recharge the battery.

4. Allow 10 minutes for sensors to stabilize.

5. Press RUN/STOP key to begin data logging.

6. Use arrow keys to display desired measurements.

7. Download data

1. Check and Fill Wet bulb

Reservoir

• Make sure the wet bulb

wick is clean. If not replace

it.

• Remove reservoir cover

and fill will distilled or de-

ionized water.

• Replace reservoir cover

WickReservoir

Cover

Reservoir

2. Place the Instrument

• Place the instrument in

the work area approx.

3.5 feet (1 meter) off the

ground.

• Make sure it is in similar

conditions as the worker

but in a safe place.

3. Power On and Check the

Battery

• Press the I/O Enter button

to turn the unit on.

• During power up watch the

display for the battery

voltage.

• If the battery voltage is 6.4

volts or less, replace or

recharge the battery

depending on type of

battery.

Turn unit on

Display

4 / 5. Warm-up and Run a survey

• Allow ten minutes for the

sensors to stabilize.

• Press the Run/Stop button

to begin data logging.

Run / Stop button

6. Use Arrow Keys to Display

Desired Measurements

Arrow Keys

7. Download Data and Evaluate

Results

• Transfer data to QSPII

• Print data to a computer

using a program such

as Windows

HyperTerminal.

Advanced Features

The QUESTemp 36 and 46 have these additional features– Optional hot wire anemometer

allows

• Air flow rate

• PPD – Predicted Percentage Dissatisfied

• PMV – Predicted Mean Vote

– Stay Times

• ACGIH

• Navy PHELS

• Marine Flag System

• EPRI

QUESTions

???