We offer three basic types of occupational noise surveys:

1. Sound Level Survey - Categorizes Noise Sources
2. Noise Dosimetry - Measures Worker Exposure
3. Noise Control Survey - Frequency & Octave Band Analysis for Engineering Controls.
   

There are a variety of services to suit your budget.

• Most economical, and a good start!
• If the operation is small, this does not require a whole day on site
• Results indicate the possibility of overexposure to noise
• Noise is measured with a sound level meter (A-scale, some C-scale readings); We use integrating, data logging, sound level meters
• Noise is measured at various locations, job functions, & tasks; often, noise maps are prepared
• Survey tells us who might be overexposed, and where warning signs are required for noisy equipment
• This survey gives an idea of the effectiveness of hearing protectors or administrative controls, but it is not as accurate as noise dosimetry

• More expensive than a basic sound level survey
• Always requires full-shift or close to full shift sampling
• Noise dosimetry should always be accompanied by a sound level survey (to give the best recommendations)
• Noise exposure is measured with a noise dosimeter worn by the worker during the shift
• Measures individual worker exposure to noise (integrates and weights all noise exposure over the whole shift)
• Used to determine legal compliance with government noise regulations
• With this information, the effectiveness of hearing protectors (plugs or muffs) can be determined
• Important to know what the worker was doing for the day in order to properly interpret the noise dosimeter results

Page from Noise Report

• Noise is measured with an octave band analyzer (frequency analyzer).
• These type of measurements are needed for engineering noise controls (actually reducing the sound levels rather than simply issuing hearing protectors)
• We must measure noise frequencies to recommend effective engineering controls
• This is because the type of engineering controls for low & high frequency noise are different
• Higher frequency noise is more damaging to the hearing mechanism), BUT,
• Higher frequency noise may be easier to control.

• Noise contour mapping can be done around noisy equipment
• This type of measurment is more costly than an average sound level survey
• This is not necessary for sound level surveys for worker exposure assessment
• It is helpful for fixed equipment when assessing engineering controls.

We develop Hearing Conservation Programs. A written hearing conservation program (noise management program) is required by provincial & federal governments if a company has noise exposed workers. According to Alberta Workplace Health & Safety legislation, if there are noise exposed workers, the employer is required to evaluate the use of engineering controls first. Hearing protection should used as the last resort. A common myth is that hearing protection will always protect workers.