Rank: Forum user 
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Hi all, Quick question about noise surveys in print room. I'm not an expert but am concerned about workers in my organisations print room and have decided that we need a noise survey to ascertain what controls are needed and if we are exceeding safe working levels. Obviously there are various different machines in the print room and of course the situation regarding noise is never consistent, it depends on volume of work, how many machines are in operation etc etc. To get the most accurate picture of the exposure between 9-5 what do you think is the best approach?It goes without saying that taking readings over the course of a week would be a good place to start, any other ideas? thanks.
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi Russ1977,
Having recently had an external noise assessment carried out I would recommend you do the same, or maybe have someone trained in-house to do it properly. It's not as simple as taking a few readings.
Stu.
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 1 user thanked stuart46 for this useful post.
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Rank: Forum user
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Originally Posted by: stuart46  Hi Russ1977,
Having recently had an external noise assessment carried out I would recommend you do the same, or maybe have someone trained in-house to do it properly. It's not as simple as taking a few readings.
Stu.
Hi Stuart, Was it a print room that you had assessed? can I ask what approached they used in any case?
Thanks
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi Russ,
No, it was for machine shops and workshop shops. Various samples were taken with different use scenarios form max to min use as well as discussions with the operatives. Calculations were made to give average exposures over 8 hours to give level of employee exposure which determined controls required. Not something you can do without proper knowledge, especially if it ever needed to be used as a defence against a claim for hearing loss. We carry out annual health surveillance also which includes audiometric testing.
Stu.
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Rank: Forum user
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Originally Posted by: stuart46 Hi Russ1977,
Having recently had an external noise assessment carried out I would recommend you do the same, or maybe have someone trained in-house to do it properly. It's not as simple as taking a few readings.
Stu.
Well, i totally agree with you and it is the best way to find the accurate reading.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Agree with the points above. Because conditions vary, the general approach should be a combination of point measurements (to identify the noisient sources) and dosimeters worn by people in the room (to define tpyical 'average' exposures.
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Rank: Forum user
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I might like to suggest an App only for use with an iPhone - it does not work on Android mobiles. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/niosh-slm/id1096545820?mt=8
It gives a value, it is useful for providing data. and therefore gives a starting point JM.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Before you launch into sigificant expenditure, why not get the print room supervisor involved before or after shift and have a closer look at identifying noises at source? Sometimes there are easy fixes, such as securing covers, ventilation ducts, etc. changing a fan or just a bit of tlc via lubrication and the like.
That wee bit of intel can also help guide the competent assessor should you still need to call them in.
I've had similar experience in print rooms. Some very old machines still in use out there (Heidelberg platen anyone?), and noise isn't always the only issue!
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Noise, PUWER Reg 7 anyone? ACoP says so...
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