Exposure to high or low frequency noise at workplaces: differences between assessment, health complaints and implementation of adequate personal protective equipment
Institute of Business Administration, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, EE12618 Tallinn, Estonia; *Correspondence: karin.reinhold@ttu.ee
Abstract:
Employees are exposed to high and low frequency noise which may cause different health effects. Hearing loss first occurs in the high frequency range, low frequency usually causes sleeping disturbances and annoyance. TES 1358 sound analyzer with 1/3 octave band was used to measure the equivalent sound pressure level, the peak sound pressure level, and the noise frequency spectrum at different workplaces. All the results were compared to Estonian and International legislations. High frequency noise was studied in metal, electronics and wood processing industries. The results showed that in several cases, the normative values were exceeded and the highest values appeared in the range of speech frequencies. Frequency analysis indicated that the noise level spectra at work stations of various machines differed in patterns. The low frequency spectra on a ship showed peaks in the frequency range of 50…1,250 Hz. Most employers provided workers with personal protective equipment against noise, but when selecting ear muffs, noise frequency had not been taken into consideration and therefore workers in the same enterprise used similar ear muffs. Knowledge of the prevailing frequencies assists to decide which ear protection should be used to avoid damage. An adequate hearing protector device can reduce the noise exposure significantly.
Key words:
frequency analysis, Noise, occupational hazards., PPE