Workplace Noise Measurement
All kinds of sounds created by machines and workbenches used in workplaces, which have psychological and physiological effects on employees and negatively affect the efficiency and quality of the work done, are considered as noise.According to the provisions of the Occupational Hygiene Measurement, Test and Analysis Laboratories Competence Regulation issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, occupational hygiene measurements, tests and analyzes to be carried out in the workplace are carried out to determine all kinds of physical, chemical and biological factors in the working environment that may impair the health of the employees. At the beginning of the physical factors are various noises, vibrations, lack of lighting, radiation and similar conditions in the work environment.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Security has also issued a Regulation on the Protection of Employees from Risks Related to Noise. This regulation determines the minimum conditions necessary for people working in high noise environments to be protected from health and safety risks, especially hearing-related risks, that may arise as a result of exposure to noise.
While making noise measurements, all benches and machines in the establishment to be measured must be in working condition. Measurements are generally made in two stages. In the first stage, instantaneous noise levels are measured at every point of the establishment in accordance with legal regulations. In the second stage, the personal noise exposure of the employees is measured. Noise measurements should be made using appropriate tools and with appropriate methods. Otherwise, the noise levels in the noise measurement reports will not have a scientific value and the precautions to be taken will be insufficient or sufficient precautions will not be taken.
If the noise measurement results are above the limit values, employers are obliged to take the necessary measures in accordance with the relevant legal regulations. Various laboratories produce noise level curves or noise maps as a result of noise measurements at their workplaces. In this way, it is ensured that the establishment can see the points that are exposed to intense noise and that need to be taken precautions more easily. The noise level in the working environment should never exceed the acceptable values.
According to the legal regulations, if the noise levels exceed the exposure limit values, the employer has to investigate the reasons and prevent this situation from continuing. The measures that can be taken for this purpose are:
• Changing working methods.
• Changing the equipment used.
• Reorganizing the working environment.
• Training employees for the correct use of equipment.
• To provide noise insulation in the facility.
• Implementing appropriate maintenance programs for the vehicles used.
• Rearrange working times.
