Industrial Hygiene Assessment Unit VI
QUESTION 1
Define the following terms associated with occupational noise:
a. Wavelength
b. Frequency
c. Sound Pressure
d. Decibel
e. Octave Band
Your response must be a minimum of 200 words.
25 points
QUESTION 2
Three workers (8-hour work shift) were monitored for work in different areas of a facility using calibrated noise dosimeters. The results are summarized in the following table.
a. Calculate the 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) noise exposure for each of the three workers.
b. Summarize which (one) of the exposures exceeds OSHA’s permissible exposure limit (PEL) and/or action level for noise.
c. Discuss what factors about the noise monitoring may have affected the accuracy of the noise measurements.
Show your work for all mathematical calculations. Please refer to Appendix A to 29 CFR 1910.95 for assistance on how-to solve this problem. Your response must be a minimum of 200 words in length.
Time for Monitoring
Worker 1
Worker 2
Worker 3
3 hours
80.5 dBA
98.5 dBA
92.5 dBA
2 hours
81.0 dBA
86.5 dBA
85.0 dBA
2 hours
82.0 dBA
84.5 dBA
83.5 dBA
1 hour
95.0 dBA
83.5 dBA
80.0 dBA
25 points
QUESTION 3
You have been tasked with establishing and implementing an effective hearing conservation program for a metal stamping facility. Noise monitoring shows that employees working in the press areas of the facility are exposed to 8-hour TWA noise exposures between 85.0 dBA and 89.0 dBA. Based on the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.95, summarize the requirements for an effective hearing conservation program and discuss steps to make the program as effective as possible. Please refer to 29 CFR 1910.95(b)(2) for the formula.
Your response must be a minimum of 200 words in length.
25 points
QUESTION 4
Summarize the characteristics and abilities of sound level meters (SLMs) and noise dosimeters and how they can be used to evaluate noise exposures at a facility.
Your response must be a minimum of 200 words in length
Solution Preview
Qn. 1
- Wavelength
It is the distance which a sound wave travels in a single cycle of sound pressure. It is usually measured in terms of meters or feet.
- Frequency
This is the number of vibrations which occur within one second. It is measured in hertz and one hertz is equivalent to one cycle in one second.
(1,198 words)