Posted By lewes I recently did a 5 day course on Noise Assessments and to be honest it really aint a case of point and take measurements. Although the new Noise at Work Regs dont require someone to be conpetent (wait for the arguments to start) you do need to have an understanding about noise, its path and control measures. Its a lot more indepth than I first thought and you will learn lots if you undertake suitable training.

Posted By Sean Fraser To follow up on Lewes point, I am also going on an intensive Noise Assessment course (3 days rather than 5) because our insurance assessor asked if we had assessments (we did) and if they were done by a competent person (which I deemed myself not to be) so they are only an interim measure until I can get it done right. I work in a manufacturing environment with numerous activities ongoing at different times - it can be a bit complex and I need a better understanding of noise in order to make valid assessments. I need to understand what measurements to take, how to calculate noise exposure and how to accurately record and action findings. I don't know enough now to be able to do that with the confidence that I am right, and therefore I am not competent yet. My definition of competence is knowing when to ask - and when to hand over to someone more specialist than I am. Since this is a topic I am interested in, I want to upgrade my knowledge and skills to become that person.

Posted By The toecap How much do these courses cost?

Posted By Keith E But equally, don't get too wound up with 'official' training courses - for general noise measurement - I would suggest anyone with (i) reasonable grasp of physics, noise propagation etc (ii) an understanding of materials/density and absorption potential (iii) experience of using typical electrical/engineering test equipment - specifically the different types of noise meter (iv) can understand the relevant guidance literature/HSE books etc Could make a reasonable noise assessment. Even the need to understand the maths/logarithms etc is now greatly reduced - as modern noise instruments will do all the brain ache for you. You can always double check with a paper and pen and a set of log tables afterwards...which is all part of the fun - the maths isn't that hard, whats a few logarithms between friends? A decent modern noise meter will do all the calculation, octave analysis etc for you. You can also get them pre-programmed with the hearing protection values of a wide range of ear protection/ear plugs etc - the noise meter than tells you which make/model are the most suitable. I work on the threory that if Her Majesty deemed me competent to use the electronic boxes to test the performance of a gas turbine engine and calculate its thrust/power and noise etc - I can complete an adequate industrial noise assessment - 'cos I can count to more than 10, with out taking my shoes and socks off... Measuring noise close to the ear/head is a different matter. Here we go again, the vested interests of the safety industry, making things sound more complicated than they really are - see the 'Cry Wolf' thread.

Posted By warderic I agree with 'Here we go Again' Why does our profession always try to make mountains from mole hills. There realy is no need to go on expensive courses and create loads of paperwork. Read the regulations, its all there, dont try to make it complicated, its not.

Posted By Peter Wild Life need not be that expensive, you can hire equipment quite reasonably priced from a company called 3a air and acoustics, see,www3-a.co.uk. Most modern equipment logs all the readings you ever need and then download and interpret.Think the black art is the interpetation but theres plenty of help available.

Posted By erina hey guys this is not a now you hear now you don't game...I have done too many audiometry/hearing assessments on people who's hearing/safety is compromised by unskilled assessors.... some things are just simply ment to be done correct in order to prevent accidents and impairments... If not you will comp. the safety of your employees come on!! If you want to do noise assessment and /or measurements you will have to find out in depth the why's, and the how's else anybody can go and buy a meter, read the manual and do it but be sure....somewhere along the line you'll miss something or get a claim for compensation you heaven't bargained for.....Not worth it leave it to the people who know....you may save a quick buck now...but pay the price later....Else study and do it the safe way..there's more to it than just pressing the button.