Industrial Noise Survey & Assessments

Noise is a significant enough workplace concern that OSHA has a standard in place to protect employees from the damages of exposure. The agency requires a noise reduction program (aka hearing conservation program) when exposure averages above 85 decibels over eight working hours.

In addition to OSHA standards, states, and municipalities are increasingly passing updated regulations that put pressure on construction and industrial companies to proactively address noise levels emanating from their worksites and facilities.

Noise is typically part of life in industrial and construction environments, but it falls on the employer to ensure sound stays within permissible limits. Indications that your workplace may need noise monitoring or mapping include:

• Employees report a ringing or humming in their ears.
• Employees notice temporary hearing loss when leaving work.
• Employees standing a few feet apart must shout to communicate.
• Neighboring residents or businesses complain about noise.
• Site visits from local regulatory departments.

SITEX Customizes Noise Monitoring for Your Unique Worksite

Noise levels can change over time and even within a shift. SITEX provides multiple options for industrial noise monitoring that eliminate any gaps in compliance.

Site Perimeter Monitoring: Wireless noise monitors are installed at specific locations around the perimeter of the site, constantly recording the noise output and remotely transferring that data back to a centralized location for analysis and reporting.

Specific Area Monitoring: Using gold-standard noise monitoring systems, we record representative samples of sound level exposures at workstations within the area. This procedure does not account for worker mobility.

Personal Noise Monitoring: For employees who are mobile throughout their shift or face fluctuating noise levels, personal noise dosimeters measure and summarize the workers’ exposure over the course of an entire shift to compare against the OSHA standard for time-weighted average (TWA) exposure.

A customized plan specific to your worksite is important to avoid any gaps in compliance. Learn how SITEX can implement efficient and valuable industrial noise monitoring at your worksites by filling out the form to hear from one of our experts.

Can You Use a Smartphone App for Industrial Noise Control?

In recent years, a number of smartphone apps have hit the market claiming to offer accurate sound level measurement. While the apps are convenient, there are some things to consider before relying on them for your industrial noise control plan.

Several studies have indicated wide variations in accuracy of the apps when compared to gold standard noise monitoring systems. Furthermore, even accurate measurements are only one piece to the completed puzzle. Industrial noise control requires an understanding of noise mapping to ensure every employee is within OSHA’s permissible exposure limit.

SITEX understands the intricacies of accurate noise monitoring that keeps companies compliant and keeps workers safe. Talk to one of our experts today about a plan for your industrial noise control.

See how we used advanced monitoring technology to save a major electronics manufacturer time and money: Read the case study.