RESTRICTED

Nov-16

Document ID: SP-1010

Filing Key: Business Control

Petroleum Development Oman L.L.C.

Health Safety Environment & Sustainable

Development

Specification for Environmental Noise and

Vibration

User Note:
The requirements of this document are mandatory. Non-compliance shall only be authorised by
the Document Owner or his Delegate through STEP-OUT approval.
A controlled copy of the current version of this document is on PDO's EDMS. Before making
reference to this document, it is the user's responsibility to ensure that any hard copy, or
electronic copy, is current. For assistance, contact the Document Custodian or the Document
Controller.
Users are encouraged to participate in the ongoing improvement of this document by providing
constructive feedback.

Petroleum Development Oman LLC

Revision: 3
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Please familiarise yourself with the

Document Security Classification Definitions
They also apply to this Document!

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Specification for Environmental Noise and Vibration

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Specification for Environmental Noise and Vibration

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Document Authorisation

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Specification for Environmental Noise and Vibration

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Petroleum Development Oman LLC

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ii Revision History
The following is a brief summary of the 4 most recent revisions to this document. Details of all
revisions prior to these are held on file by the issuing department.
Version No.
Version 3.0
Version 2.0
Version 1.0

Date
Jan
2009

Author
Khalifa Al Harthy

Jun
2002

G.T Tan

Scope / Remarks
Editorial changes. New format

Ref. Ind: MSE/2

Editorial changes. New format.

Ref. Ind: CSM/2.

Dec
2000

Original spec.

iii Related Business Processes

Code

Business Process (EPBM 4.0)

iv Related Corporate Management Frame Work (CMF)

Documents
The related CMF Documents can be retrieved from the Corporate Business Control
Documentation Register TAXI.

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Specification for Environmental Noise and Vibration

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
i

Document Authorisation........................................................................................................ 3

ii

Revision History.................................................................................................................... 4

iii

Related Business Processes................................................................................................. 4

iv

Related Corporate Management Frame Work (CMF) Documents........................................4

Introduction........................................................................................................................... 6

1.1

Purpose........................................................................................................................... 6

1.2

Changes to the Specification...........................................................................................6

Scope.................................................................................................................................... 7
2.1

Definitions....................................................................................................................... 7

2.2

Deliverables.................................................................................................................... 7

2.2.1

Records.......................................................................................................... 7

2.2.2

Reports.......................................................................................................... 7

2.3

Responsibilities................................................................................................................ 7

2.4

Performance Monitoring.................................................................................................. 8

2.5

Review and Improvement...............................................................................................8

2.6

Reporting Format............................................................................................................ 8

2.7

Performance Standards.................................................................................................. 8

2.7.1

Environmental Noise......................................................................................8

2.7.2

Vibration......................................................................................................... 9

Appendix............................................................................................................................. 10
3.1

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Appendix 1 Maximum Noise Limits...............................................................................10

Specification for Environmental Noise and Vibration

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1 Introduction
1.1

Purpose
This specification describes PDO's minimum requirements for managing environmental
noise and vibration (which result from PDOs activities, products or services) that can
potentially either be hazardous to human health or harm the environment.

Changes to the Specification

-

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The adoption of corporate specification template

Updating to ensure current organisation

Specification for Environmental Noise and Vibration

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2 Scope
This Specification addresses environmental noise and vibration control, and focuses on
minimising the effect on local communities and wildlife.
Occupational noise control within the workplace focuses on workforce hearing protection.
This Specification does not address occupational noise control.

2.1

Definitions
Environmental noise is a measure of sound levels immediately outside the boundary
fence. Standards for environmental noise are based on the premise that there are
tolerable levels of noise that can be defined, which do not present a hazard to human
health or harm the environment.
Noise levels are measured in decibels (dB), and the noise standards listed in this
Specification refer to the A frequency rating, dB(A), which covers the range audible to
the human ear.
Leq is a measurement unit applied to an average number of decibels over a specified
period of time.

2.2

Deliverables

Records
Records shall be maintained to document the implementation of an environmental
noise and vibration monitoring programme (refer to CP 122 HSE Management System
Manual, Part 2 Chapter 6, for information on monitoring programmes).

Reports

There are no routine reporting requirements with regard to environmental noise and
vibration control. Reporting of noise monitoring results to the MRMEWR may be required
under individual permits and licences.
Any non-compliance with this Specification shall be notified, investigated and reported per
the Non Compliance Report Form in CP 122 HSE Management System Manual, Part 2
Chapter 6.

2.3

Responsibilities
Asset Managers
Asset Managers are responsible for ensuring that environmental noise and vibration
control within their area of responsibility (including noise and vibration generated by
contractor activities) is managed in accordance with the requirements of this
Specification.
Sources of noise and vibration that have the potential to impact on local communities
and wildlife shall be:

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identified
analysed
quantified (either by direct measurement or using appropriate methods of
estimation)
recorded, as appropriate (refer to Section 2.2.1)
reported, as appropriate (refer to Section 2.2.2)
Specification for Environmental Noise and Vibration

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In the event that circumstances prevent compliance with this Specification, Asset
Managers shall seek the advice and if necessary, a step-out approval from the
Document Authority. This approval requires recording subject areas, which do not
conform as a non-compliance (refer to the Non Compliance Report Form CP 122 HSE
Management System Manual, Part 2 Chapter 6).
Corporate Functional Discipline Heads
Corporate Functional Discipline Heads are responsible for ensuring that the
requirements of this Specification are reflected in the documents for which they are
responsible.
Contractors
Contractors are responsible for ensuring that environmental noise and vibration
generated in the course of carrying out their contractual requirements are managed in
accordance with the requirements of this Specification and reported, when applicable,
to the contract holder.

2.4

Performance Monitoring
An environmental noise and vibration monitoring programme shall be developed,
implemented and maintained to demonstrate compliance with this Specification, any
additional requirements specified in an Environmental Permit and to supply the
necessary data to prepare required reports (see section 2.2.2).

2.5

Review and Improvement

Any user of this document who encounters a mistake or confusing entry is requested to
immediately notify CSM using the form provided in CP 122 HSE Management System
Manual, Part 2 Chapter 3.
This specification shall be reviewed every 4 years. However changes to the current
version may be made in less than four years as the need arises depending upon the
issue of new and relevant environmental legislation and or major organisational
changes in PDO.

2.6

Reporting Format
There are no standard reporting requirements for Environmental Noise and Vibration.

2.7

Performance Standards

Environmental Noise

Standards for environmental noise are based on the premise that there are tolerable levels
of noise that can be defined, which do not present a hazard to human health or harm the
environment.
PDOs standards for environmental noise are derived from environmental legislation in the
Sultanate of Oman. Ministerial Decision MD 79/94: Regulations for Noise Pollution Control
in the Public Environment, specifies sources of noise that may affect the quality of peoples
lives. MD 79/94 prescribes maximum noise limits (detailed in Appendix 1) for each of the
following noise sources:

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Specification for Environmental Noise and Vibration

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Industrial plants and public works (includes power plants, E&P installations, and
sewage treatment plants)
Road traffic
Airports
Aviation activities (general and commercial).

Exceeding Noise Limits

Exceeding the noise limits has the potential to cause annoyance/nuisance and may, in
some circumstances, present a risk to human health.
An exceedance shall be considered as a non-compliance with this Specification. Action
should be taken to reduce noise levels in the event of a noise limit being exceeded.

Monitoring Noise Levels

Monitoring of noise levels to assess compliance with noise standards shall be carried out in
accordance with Section 2.3. Individual licences and permits may establish standards for
noise which are more stringent than those required by this Specification, depending on
regional considerations. In these situations, the more stringent requirements shall apply.

Vibration
There are no specific requirements for environmental vibration. However, vibration
levels shall be minimised and be consistent with best practice.

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Specification for Environmental Noise and Vibration

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3 Appendix
3.1

Appendix 1 Maximum Noise Limits

Industrial Plants, Public Works and Airports
Leq, T, dB(A)

Type of District

Workdays
7.00am 6.00pm

Rural,
recreational

residential,

Workdays
6.00pm 11.00pm

Holidays (all day)

and Workdays
11.00pm 7.00am

45

40

35

Suburban residential

50

45

40

Urban residential

55

50

50

Urban residential (with some

workshops and business)

60

55

50

Industrial and commercial

70

70

70

Road Traffic
Leq, T, dB(A)
Type of District

Workdays
7.00am 6.00pm

Workdays
6.00pm 11.00pm

Holidays (all day)

and Workdays
11.00pm 7.00am

60

55

50

Suburban residential

65

60

55

Urban residential

65

60

55

Urban residential (with some

workshops and business)

65

60

55

Industrial and commercial

70

65

60

Rural,
recreational

residential,

Aviation Activities
Type of District
Rural,
recreational

LDEN,T, dB(A)1
residential,

50

Suburban residential

55

Urban residential

55

Urban residential (with some

workshops and business)

55

Industrial and commercial

60

LDEN is a measurement unit of day, evening and night levels, averaged over one year.

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Specification for Environmental Noise and Vibration

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Specification for Environmental Noise and Vibration

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