Noise pollution is a major concern when it comes to environmental monitoring, as it can have a profound effect on a variety of different scales, ie. on a personal level and on a wider environmental level. This is why organisations need to conduct noise level surveys and why sound level meters are an integral element of any environmental monitoring system.
Why is it important to measure noise levels?
In the workplace an employer has a duty to provide a safe and comfortable working environment. This relates to everyday health, safety and welfare, but also environmental hazards such as heat, ventilation, natural light and noise. Over the course of a working day a person is exposed to various different noise levels, according to the nature of their job. In an office this would likely be general chatter, and the noise from printers, phones ringing and people typing on keyboards, and hence this would not be excessive.
However, in a more industrial environment this exposure could include machinery, transport, compressed air processes, water processes and mechanical processes. At the same time, this exposure could be constant throughout the day or it could be intermittent. So it is important that we monitor these noise levels for both prolonged exposure and the occasional spikes of peak exposures. Noise levels are measured in decibels (dB) and health and safety law restricts the noise levels a person should ordinarily be exposed to, including a weighted average calculation which allows you to quantify what is excessive exposure over the course of a person’s working day. There is then a peak band dictating at what point a business needs to take action to reduce exposure.
In this case, of course we are talking about personal noise levels, however, a business also needs to be aware of environmental noise levels, ie. noise pollution external to the workplace. This is also regulated and exposure needs to be considered in terms of decibels, how long peak noise levels are emitted and during which hours, and the nature of the location (ie. how populated). Prolonged noise levels over certain decibel parameters could be considered noise pollution and a public nuisance, and the business would need to act to reduce noise levels.
What are the effects of noise exposure?
The nature of a person’s exposure will dictate how they are affected, but general side-effects include:
- Stress
- Discomfort
- Hearing impairment and long term loss
- Accidents
Essentially, a person may not be able to carry out their normal duties, and in later life could complain of hearing loss. On an environmental level, people living close to a business could complain about a lack of sleep, a poor quality of life or that young children or pets have been affected. This could also impact on the value of housing or other nearby businesses.
What is the purpose of sound level meters?
Sound level meters, such as the TIS 770 Digital Sound Level Meter, are a portable electronic device able to capture and quantify noise levels. They measure noise and convert this into decibels in terms of levels and intensity. The core components of a sound level meter are a microphone, a processor to convert the readings into usable data, and an LCD display screen.
Carrying out a noise level survey, whether it is an occupational noise survey (measuring someone’s personal workspace) or an environmental noise survey (measuring the noise levels being produced externally to the building) is the principal use of a sound level meter, but additional uses include:
- Collecting data
- Identifying the source of excessive noise
- Monitoring compliance with noise pollution regulations for inside and outside the building
- Mapping noise patterns over a wider area to identify if internal noise exposure is harmful and legal/illegal
- Measuring health impacts
- Monitoring noise exposure against productivity
- Monitoring the success of noise abatement actions, such as reducing the speed of machinery or other processes, introducing noise barriers, making mechanical changes, making material changes
In general, sound level meters enable you to address the challenges presented by noise pollution, and to ensure you are complying with your legal duties as an employer.
Please note that this section is for information purposes only. Anyone using equipment referred to in this section must be suitably qualified and/or experienced within the respective field. If in doubt before use, please consult a qualified electrician or engineer & thoroughly read all instruction booklets.