Noise Assessments

Environmental noise surveys and assessment

Noise pollution (or environmental noise) is displeasing human, animal or machine-created sound that disrupts the activity or balance of human or animal life.

The source of most outdoor noise worldwide is transportation systems, including motor vehicle noise, aircraft noise and rail noise.

Poor urban planning may give rise to noise pollution, since side-by-side industrial and residential buildings can result in noise pollution in the residential area.

Other sources of indoor and outdoor noise pollution are car alarms, emergency service sirens, office equipment, factory machinery, construction work, grounds keeping equipment, barking dogs, appliances, power tools, lighting hum, audio entertainment systems, loudspeakers, and noisy people.

NVM Ltd undertake environmental noise surveys in accordance with the required relevant EPA and British guidelines and standards, which include some of the following documents;

• BS 5228: 2009 +A1 2014: Code of practice for noise and vibration control on construction and open sites – Part 1: Noise
• ISO 1996-1:2016 “Acoustics – Description, measurement and assessment of environmental noise Part 1: Basic Quantities and assessment Procedures”

Evironmental noise note:

In the European Union about 40% of the population is exposed to road traffic noise with an equivalent sound pressure level exceeding 55 dB(A) daytime, and 20% are exposed to levels exceeding 65 dB(A).

When all transportation noise is considered, more than half of all European Union citizens are estimated to live in zones that do not ensure acoustical comfort to residents. At night, more than 30% are exposed to equivalent sound pressure levels exceeding 55 dB(A), which are disturbing to sleep.  Noise pollution is also severe in cities of developing countries.  It is caused mainly by traffic and alongside densely travelled roads equivalent sound pressure levels for 24 hours can reach 75-80 dB(A).

Occupational noise (Noise At Work) assessments

NVM Ltd understand that organisations today have a fundamental responsibility to minimize the impact of excessive noise exposure at work.

Most companies understand the requirement to identify hazards of noise and are willing to conduct periodic noise surveys as part of their company health and safety procedures, but this is only the first step in management of occupational noise.

Beyond hazard identification there is a requirement to manage exposure to noise on a day-to-day basis. This requires a comprehensive system of policies, procedures and guidelines aimed at reducing the potential for noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) to practical levels.

NVM Ltd can provide occupational noise management, to help support organizations with their occupational noise assessments including:

Click here for a free quotation on your premises.

Hearing protection suitability assessment

Noise is not a new hazard. It has been a constant threat since the industrial revolution. Too much noise exposure may cause a temporary change in hearing (your ears may feel stuffed up) or a temporary ringing in your ears (tinnitus). These short-term problems usually go away within a few minutes or hours after leaving the noise. However, repeated exposures to loud noise can lead to permanent, incurable hearing loss or tinnitus.

NVM Limited recommend removing hazardous noise from the workplace whenever possible and using hearing protectors in those situations where dangerous noise exposures have not yet been controlled or eliminated.

Exposure to noise levels at 80 decibels (dB) or higher for eight hours or more per day puts your hearing at risk.

But the good news is ... hearing loss is preventable. Every employee on the shop floor should have some form of hearing protection. This could be anything from simple foam earplugs to custom-made headsets. the best hearing protection device is the one you wear and wear correctly.

Helpful hints

Some steps you can take to protect your hearing include:

• Wear protective devices
• If working within areas of high level noise, try and limit your exposure to loud noise at every available chance
• Be aware of noises around you and within the work area.
• Use caution when listening to headphones
• Have your hearing tested regularly if you are at risk for hearing loss. (Audiometric testing)
• Check with your employer about hearing protection and noise reduction methods.

Other Services Provided

• IPPC and IE Compliance (Environmental Noise) Monitoring
• Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)
• Sound Installation Tests