Noise Control in Industry

Damage from noise exposure of sufficient intensity and duration is well established and hearing loss may be temporary or permanent. Fortunately, noise exposure can be controlled and technology exists to reduce the hazards. Aside from employer/employee concern with the inherent hazards of noise, added attention has been brought to focus on the subject through regulatory requirements. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) every employer is legally responsible for providing a workplace free of hazards such as excessive noise. It has been estimated that 14 million US workers are exposed to hazardous noise.

This book is presented as an overview summary for employers, workers, and supervisors interested in workplace noise and its control. We believe that in order to understand and control noise it is not necessary to be highly technical. Noise problems can quite often be solved by the people who are directly affected. Presented is an overview of noise, the regulations concerning its control, an explanation of specific principles, and a discussion of some particular techniques.

Employers, workers, and supervisors interested in workplace noise and its control.

1. Introduction to Sound and Noise
   Effects of Noise
   Human Exposure and Response
   Physics of Sound
   Relationship of Sound Pressure, Sound Power and Sound Intensity
   Frequency of Sound
   Duration of Sound
   Nomenclature
   References
   2. Industrial Noise Control-An Overview
   Low-Cost Solutions for Noise Control
   Master Plans
   Sound Control Principles
   Example
   Material Selection
   References
   3. Noise Control Regulations
   The Noise Control Act as Amended by the Quiet Communities Act
   State Environmental Noise Programs
   Occupational Safety and Health Act
   1974 OSHA Proposal to Amend Noise Standard
   Hearing Conservation Program Rules
   State Workman's Compensation Laws
   Abbreviations
   References
   Note Added in Proof: OSHA Regulatory Changes
   4. Noise Analysis
   Microphone Designs
   Sound Fields
   Microphones and the Acoustical Environment
   Microphone Accessories
   Frequency Weighting
   Sound Level Meters
   Calibration
   Integrating Sound Level Meters
   Noise Dosimeters
   Frequency Analyzers
   Amplitude Distribution Analyzers
   Related Vibration Measurements
   References
   5. Vibration Analysis and Instrumentation
   Instrumentation
   Vibration Meters
   Vibration Analyzers
   Vibration Signature Analysis
   Data at Startup
   Vibration Severity Measured in Velocity
   Strobe Light Analysis
   The ""Big Four"" Sources of Vibration
   Conclusion
   Reference
   Bibliography
   6. Measurement Techniques for Sound Level Meters
   Noise Level and Frequency
   The Sound Level Meter
   Weighting
   Precision
   Calibration
   Human Response
   Defining the Measurement Problem
   Determination of Percent-Exceeded Noise Levels
   Determination of Equivalent Sound Level
   Long-Term Average
   OSHA Criteria
   References
   7. Audiometry
   Characteristics of Sound
   The Human Ear: Physiology
   Hearing Disorders
   Assessment of Hearing Impairment
   Automatic Recording Audiometers
   The Audiogram
   Audiometric Booths
   Audiometer Calibration
   Abbreviations
   References
   Bibliography
   8. Analysis of Valve and Piping Noise
   Cavitation
   Cavitation in Liquid Systems
   Water Hammer
   Mechanical Vibration
   Fluid Noise
   Control Valve Noise Prediction: Compressible Fluids
   Noise Attenuation
   Cover Materials
   Double Reducing Station
   Valve/Piping Design Considerations
   9. Fan Noise Control
   Types of Fans
   Noise Source
   Relocation of Equipment
   Fan Modification
   Isolators
   Mufflers
   Fan Location
   Balancing
   Maintenance
   Summary and Conclusions
   References
   Bibliography
   Glossary
   Index