isafeusafe, the meter you used during your noise assessment training will be the one you are most familiar with so maybe that should be your stating point.

The hardware you use for the noise assessment will be dependant on the detail you require from the noise assessment. If you merely wish to confirm that the noise levels are well below the action levels, there is little point investing in a high spec, high cost noise meter. Anything that can record the overall noise level to a reasonable level of reliability will suffice. If this initial measurement shows the noise levels are approaching the action levels, or if you already have grounds to suspect that, a higher spec calibrated meter will be required to undertake a full survey, and the survey should be planned and completed by someone competent at undertaking a noise survey, and presenting the results of the survey. If there is reason to believe that an individual or group of employees are particularly at risk, then personal dose measurement may be appropriate also, and in this case you should consider including audiometry testing for these employees. As with all H&S matters, the scale of the solution should match the scale of the problem. Ken Dickson