Comprehensive Report

BSCI has been contracted by Acme Manufacturing Co. to conduct a study to determine employee exposures to noise and a needs analysis to determine the development of a new safety training program, exhibiting training and management techniques. BSCI will in conduct a surveillance of the Machine shop, Carpentry Shop and Electronic Shop.

The company has an on-site maintenance and repair facility. Inside Machine Shop #1, there are five employees that operate a variety of machines, ranging from stationary and portable grinders, drill presses, and metal shearers. Based on the information provided in the following table, determine the individual employee’s exposure: (DO NOT COMBINE NOISE LEVELS). Calculations are as followed:

Stationary Grinding Wheel

D=1.5/24.25 + 2.08/6.96 + 4.42/21.11

D=.06 + .3 + .21

D=.57

Drill Press

D=2.25/ 9.19 + 4.15/36.76 + 1.6/27.86

D=.24 + .11 + .06

D=.41

Metal Shear #2

D=4.71/64 + .65/4.59 + 2.63/18.38

D=.07 + .14 + .14

D=.35

Metal Shear #3

D=1.9/21.11 + 3.98/84.45 + 2.12/4

D=.09 + .05 + .53

D=.67

Bench Press #7

D=3.38/84.45 + 2.87/36.76 + 1.75/21.11

D=.04 + .08 + .08

D=.2

Inside Carpentry Shop #2, there are six machines operating almost continuously, including table saws, planers, exhaust systems, jointers, with 10 employees working in this area. To determine whether this table should be designated as a hazardous noise environment, thus requiring employees to be entered into the hearing conservation program, you must calculate combined exposures and treat the entire area as one noise source. The following table indicates the recorded measurements that you collected during your on-site assessment. Does the data from this table indicate a hazardous noise environment, and do you recommend entering employees into a hearing conservation program?

The calculations from the data below indicates a hazardous noise environment. I would recommend employees to enter a hearing conservation program.

Carpentry Shop #2

(84-79=5) according to table 8.2, add 1.2 to the highest number=85.2

(85.2-80=5.2) according to table 8.2, add 1.2 to the highest number=86.4

(90-86.4=3.6) according to table 8.2, add 1.4 to the highest number=91.4

(91.5-87=4.5) according to table 8.2, add 1.2 to the highest number = 93

(93-92=1) according to table 8.2, add 2.6 to the highest number= 95.6 or 96 DB

Acme Manufacturing is currently considering remodeling this shop in order to install a new noise absorbing wall and floor insulation. They have asked that you review the previous history of noise level exposures in this area and provide your recommendations. However, this data is given in measurements of N/m², but the Project Engineer is requesting the information in W/m². Given the following data, convert N/m² to W/m² and include it in your report: Calculations are as followed:

East Wall

I =(.0683N /m2)2

(1.2kg/m3) (344 m/s)

I= .00466489

412.8

I= .00001534922

West Wall

I= (.0742N/m2)2

(1.2kg/m3) (344 m/s)

I= .00550564

412.8

I= .0000133373

South Wall

I= (.0813N/m2)2

(1.2kg/m3) (344 m/s)

I= 00660969

412.8

I= .00001601184

North Wall

I= (.0699N/m2)2

(1.2kg/m3) (344 m/s)

I= .00488601

412.8

I= .00001183626