Exp 3 OBJECTIVE

1) To determine the level of noise to which person/worker is exposed by measuring the

Time Weighting Average (TWA)
2) To evaluate effectiveness of existing noise control

INTRODUCTION

Noise is a pervasive and influential source of stress. This statement has been supported by the
(Loeb,1986) saying that noise has been a significant source of physical and psychological stress.
There are several types of noise include vibration, thermal, variation and atmospheric gas
content. The basic unit of measurement for environmental noise as recommended by ISO 1996/1
is the dB(A) or commonly known as decibel.

The human ear is not equally sensitive to sounds (tones) of the same sound pressure levels but
different frequencies. For the purpose of estimating the risk exposure of individual, Time
Weighting Average (TWA) shows a workers daily exposure to occupational noise that normally
evaluate in 8 hour per day. Calculating in TWA can measure the exposure excessive noise in the
workplace may cause temporary or permanent hearing loss. Impaired verbal communication,
fatigue and work errors may occur and lower down production of the workers. Effectiveness of
the existing noise control can be evaluated through this parameter and action to be taken later.

The instrument for evaluate the noise exposure is a noise dosimeter. Noise dosimeter measure
and store sound pressure level or in short (SPL), integrating measurement over time. The
dosimeter can be used as personal or area noise monitors. Microphone is mounted on the middle
top of the person to measuring the noise. However, the dosimeter needs to be calibrated with an
acoustical calibrator before and after measurement to validity the operation.

Reference:

Loeb, M. (1981). The present state of research on the effects of noise: Are we asking the right
questions? Journal of Auditory Research, 21, 93-104.