Noise in the Workplace
Noise in the workplace is still
a considerable problem in many business sectors. All workers who
are exposed to high levels of noise may have problems in the long
term such as fatigue, stress, hearing loss, etc.
The 2003/10/EC directive stipulates a fall in the exposure threshold authorised for workers
of 5 dB compared to the previous regulations. Companies are obligated
to put forward a plan to reduce noise when this threshold is reached.
This plan will put forward solutions to be implemented in order
to comply with regulations.
Concerning the minimum
health and safety regulations
Decree
no. 2006-892 of 19 July 2006 relating to the health and safety
regulations applicable in the event of exposing workers to risks
due to noise and amending the Labour Code. 3 values should be used:
- Exposure limit values are a daily level of
exposure to noise of 87dB (A) or a peak acoustic pressure level
of 140dB (C)
- Exposure values triggering preventive action
are a daily level of exposure to noise of 85dB (A) or a peak acoustic
pressure level of 137dB (C): Draw up and implement a programme
to reduce exposure to noise.
- Exposure values triggering preventive action
are a daily level of exposure to noise of 80dB (A) or a peak acoustic
pressure level of 135dB (C): Individual protection.
In view of what is at stake
for companies and workers subject to the risk of noise in the workplace,
IAC BOET STOPSON offers a vast range of solutions: Enclosures, all
types of silencers, acoustic screens, acoustic doors, acoustic ventilation
grids, movable walls, partitions, etc. with guaranteed results.
Environmental noise
European Directive 2002/49/EC
on environmental noise comes in addition
to the abundant EU legislation on sources.
This Directive ensures a uniform
assessment, in the twenty-five European member states, of exposure
to environmental noise by means of:
- Creating strategic noise cards;
- Prevention and reduction of excessive noise
using plans of action;
- Protection of quiet areas;
- Circulation of information and public participation
(are at the heart of the process).
- Actions are carried out on an EC scale.
Roads, railways, airports, industries,
these are the major sources of environmental noise targeted by this
directive, which applies to built-up areas of over 100,000 inhabitants.
Order
of 23 January 1997, which sets the following limits:
"Noise emissions must not generate
a point source above the acceptable levels set out in the table
below, in the areas where areas where it is regulated:
| Level
of surrounding noise in regulated point source zones (including
the establishment's noise) |
Acceptable
point source for the period from 7:00 to 22:00, except Sundays
and holidays |
Acceptable
point source for the period from 22:00 to 7:00 except Sundays
and holidays |
| Above
35 dB(A) and below or equal to 45 dB(A) Above 45 dB(A) |
6 dB(A) |
4 dB(A) |
| Above
45 dB(A) |
5 dB(A) |
3 dB(A) |
Level of surrounding noise in
regulated point source zones (including the establishment's noise)
Acceptable point source for the period from 7:00 to 22:00, except
Sundays and holidays Acceptable point source for the period from
22:00 to 7:00 except Sundays and holidays Above 35 dB(A) and below
or equal to 45 dB(A) 6 dB(A) 4 dB(A) Above 45 dB(A) 5 dB(A) 3 dB(A)
Under this order, the terms
below are defined as follows:
Point source
The difference between the equivalent
continuous A-weighted sound pressure levels of surrounding noise
(operational establishment) and residual noise (with no noise generated
by the establishment). In the event of an establishment being subject
to an authorised modification, residual noise excludes the noise
generated by the entire modified establishment.
Regulated
point source zone
- 1. Inside buildings inhabited
or occupied by third parties, existing on the date the authorisation
is granted for the building and any close outside areas (courtyard,
garden, terrace);
- 2. Construction zones
as stipulated by town planning documents binding on third parties
and published on the date the authorisation is granted;
- 3. Inside buildings inhabited
or occupied by third parties which have been set up after the
date the authorisation is granted in the aforementioned construction
zones and any close outside areas (courtyard, garden, terrace),
excluding those of buildings constructed in areas for the purposes
of arts and crafts or industrial activities.
Furthermore, the prefectural
authorisation order stipulates, for each period of the day (diurnal
and nocturnal), noise levels not to be exceeded within the limit
of suitability for the establishment, determined so as to ensure
compliance with acceptable point source values. The values fixed
by the authorisation order cannot exceed 70 dB (A) during the
day and 60 dB(A) during the night, unless the residual noise
for the period under consideration is above this limit.
Control of the point source
The indicator is the difference
between the equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure levels
of surrounding noise and residual noise. In the event the difference
between the equivalent level and the L50 fractile index is above
5 dBA, we use as a point source indicator the difference between
the L50 fractile indices.
Solutions
IAC BOET STOPSON is your global
noise control solutions supplier, from acoustic engineering to equipment
design and manufacturing.
More information
To discover specific
UK legislation and regulations : click
here
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