Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Dosimetry
Learning Outcome
After going through this topic you will be able to
Explain sound pressure level, frequency & respective units of measure
Describe level average, time weighted average & dose
Explanation of criterion, threshold & exchange rate
Proper placement & care of microphones and instrumentation
Explain hearing conservation regulations & OSHA requirements as it pertains to noise
measurement
Hands on calibration, function & measurement with the noise dosimeter, sound level meter
and octave band analyzers
Adapted from Acoustics Animations Dr. Dan Russell Kettering University Applied Physics
http://www.kettering.edu/~drussell/Demos/waves/wavemotion.html
(measured in Hz)
Intensity
(measured in dB)
Speed
Frequency
Measured in Hertz (Hz)
kHz for 1000xHz
Relates to the pitch of the signal
Is a measure of the cycles completed in one second
Frequency (Pitch)
Fig. I-4 1Hz and 10Hz Sine Waves
Lathe
Compressed air
Circular saw
Cars
Violin
50 to 1100 Hz
500 to 8000 Hz
300 to 12000 Hz
8 to 1100 Hz
300 to 9000 Hz
from 20 Hz to 20 kHz
The ear is less efficient at high and low frequencies
In the range from 500 Hz to 4 kHz a normal human ear is very
sensitive
2 Sine Waves:
Same Frequency
Same Time Duration
Different Intensity
One is TWICE as
loud as the other
deciBels H L
dB HL
Sound
Pressure
Level
Hearing
Level
Relates to
measurements of the
environment
Relates to intensity of
audiometric test tones
100 dB
+
Add 3 dB
10 dB perceived as twice as loud
= 103 dB
Addition of Decibels
If the difference between two levels to be added is:
- 0 to 1 dB,
- 2 to 3 dB,
- 4 to 7 dB,
Room
Very Near Source
Twice the distance decreases
SPL by 6dB
Far from source
No change with change in
distance
NOTE: These are general
guidelines. Each case may vary.
Octaves
Fig. I-11 Octave Bands
Response Time
Slow
Fast
Impulse
Peak
Hearing Protection
NRR
Noise Reduction Rating
NRR Devaluation
NRR
- 7 dB
Adjusted
Attenuation
then divide this value by 2
to determine if hearing protectors are adequate
to forego noise control
The OSHA method is described well on the OSHA
Noise & Hearing Conservation e-Tool website
http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/noise/hcp/atten
uation_estimation.html
Hearing Protection
NRR
- 7
GRAPHIC ILLISTRATION
25
20
24
18
Muff
15
Formed
12
Others
10
5
0
Net Protection
NRR
Plugs + muffs
REMEMBER:
Earmuffs over earplugs provide a maximum of 5dB additional attenuation no
matter what the muff rating.
Critical Terminology
Criterion - If exposed to SPL on average for eight
hours, it would result in a maximum allowable
exposure. [90dB for 8 hrs]
Threshold dB level below which, all SPLs are
assigned a value of zero. [80dB]
Exchange Rate - Results in a doubling or halving of
the maximum allowable exposure.
Critical Terminology
Average Level (LAVG and Leq) - If present continuously, would
generate the same amount of energy as the varying levels that
are present in the environment measured in decibels.
Time Weighted Average (TWA) - A level average with an
assumed fixed sample period of eight hours measured in
decibels.
Dose - The allowable daily exposure value. A maximum
allowable exposure is equal to 100% dose. [90dB x 8hrs =
100% Dose]
A Basic Concept
TWA = Lavg @ exactly 8 hours
DOSE = Follows the same line!
Exercise I
Exchange Rates
SOUND LEVEL METERS
3dB exchange rate
When averaged, Leq (level equivalent)
NOISE DOSIMETERS
5dB exchange rate
When averaged, Lavg (level average)
Section II
OSHA
21-25
90
92
95
100
1.5
102
105
0.5
110
0.25 or less
115
Measure Noise
Audiometric Tests
Hearing Protectors
Education & Training
Record Keeping
Measuring Threshold
H.C. Action Level (50% exp.) 85
8 Hour Criteria
24
A-Weighted
Sound Level
Duration
(Hours)
80
16
90
95
100
105
110
115
120
125
130
32
8
4
2
1
0.5
0.25
0.125
0.063
0.031
Section II
H.C.A.
A/Slow
A/Slow
5 dB
5dB
Criterion (LC=100%)
90dB
90dB
90dB
80dB
90dB/100%
85dB/50%
Weighting/Response
Limit
(PEL)
Action
Level
Conclusion
The focus of the Occupational Noise Exposure Standard and the Hearing
Conservation Amendment, is to set minimum requirements to protect
hearing for those workers in a noisy environment.
The Keys to Success
Section III
Sound Level Meters
26-39
Microphone
Amplifier
Range
Control
Frequency
Filter(s)
C
A
Fast/Slow
F
S
Display
Types of Microphones
Random
Incidence
Direct
Incidence
Pressure
Microphone
Acoustical Calibrators
1
1) Loudspeaker
2) ON/OFF switch
3) Battery indicator
4) Microphone adapter
4
3
Arrows ~
Alt f key ~
On/Off/Esc ~
Stop key ~
Press to stop (or close) the session.
Backlight key ~ If you have Backlight set to
Manual, press this key to manually
turn the backlighting on or off.
Section IV
Noise Dosimeters
Amplifier
Range
Control
Frequency
Filter(s)
C
Fast/Slow
F
S
Display
Computer
Storage
Printer
Calculator
Clock
Meter
Environmental Concerns
Temperature
Humidity
Atmospheric Pressure
Wind
Radio Frequency Interference
Magnetic Interference
Leave It Alone
Reset Unit
Check Set Up
Calibrate Unit
Work
Check It
Observe
Inform Worker
Unit Placement
Microphone Placement
Remove Unit
Record or Download
Data
Survey Techniques
I. Individual Full Exposure Assessment
II. Representative Sampling
III. Task-Based Exposure Assessment
Modeling
(T-Beam)
IV. Area Mapping
Survey Methods
Infrequent Exposures
The day OSHA inspects
is reality
Use informative signs
Use HPDs
Re-monitoring
Change in process or procedure that affects inclusion and/or hearing
protection effectiveness
-production rates
-material processed
-production technique
-machine placement
Survey Pitfalls!!!
Microphone Placement
Employee
Project Assumption
Threshold Distortion
Wind
Task Descriptions
Environmental Factors
Instrument Settings
Unusual Conditions
Noise Dosimeters
Microphone Placement
Proper Mounting
Typically Belt
Mounted
Middle of Shoulder
Pages
Measuring Dose
95 dB for
8 hours
equals
200%
dose
100 dB for
8 hours
equals
400%
dose
105 dB for
8 hours
equals
800%
dose
110 dB for
8 hours
equals
1600%
dose
Tim Bailey
3M Detection Solutions
Phone: (800) 245-0779, ext. 152
Fax: (262) 567-4047
TLBailey@mmm.com
Customer Service: Heidi Tunak, ext. 106
Tech Support: Randy Sleggs, ext. 123
Mark Scherer, ext. 158
What We Measure
Fig. I-13 RMS (Root-Mean-Square)
Crest Factor
Fig. I-14 Crest Factor - Impulse/Impact Noise