Appendix 5 – Guidance material for designers, manufacturers and suppliers of plant on the presentation of information about noise levels generated by plant
Introduction
This guidance material is designed to help:
- Designers, manufacturers and suppliers of plant to provide information on noise levels generated by plant.
- Purchasers make an informed choice when purchasing plant, by being able to assess and compare suppliers’ noise level information. This information will usually be obtained from tests under standardised conditions. However, the plant may generate different noise levels in the workplace and it is the responsibility of the employer purchasing the plant to assess noise levels in the workplace.
The reasons for providing information on noise levels to prospective purchasers are:
- noise levels are a significant factor in decisions on the purchase or hire of plant, because buying ‘quiet plant’ is a highly cost effective way to control workplace noise
- provision of information encourages purchasers to buy quieter products
- Low noise work environments contribute favourably to the reduction of occupational noise induced hearing loss and improvement of the health and wellbeing of workers at the workplace.
Information on noise
Information on noise levels should be:
- Collected by a competent person according to good measurement practice as defined in relevant international or local Standards. This ensures a reasonable standard of accuracy.
- Presented in a clear, understandable format.
- Technically complete and clear.
- Representative of noise likely to be emitted by plant under typical conditions of usage.
The minimum testing information which should be supplied to the purchaser is listed in Table A.
Where relevant information on test procedures is contained in a test standard or a test report, reference to the standard or the report should be included. Information should be provided on peak noise levels, where relevant, as well as on continuous noise levels. The manufacturer/ supplier should be able to provide a full test report when requested.
Where there is a selection of noise measurement results available, the preferred measurement, for this standard, is the sound pressure level at the operator’s ear position.
Table A: Minimum noise testing information to be specified by the manufacturer or supplier
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Supplier’s details (e.g. name, local address, telephone and/or facsimile number email). Manufacturer’s details (e.g. name, local address, telephone and/or facsimile number). Details of the plant tested (including any noise controls) e.g. make, model, serial number, relevant capacity/rating. Title or number of specific test standard or code followed (if any) and details of any departures from the Standard. E.g. if a machine needed to be mounted differently to the method given in the Standard, the alternative mounting should be described. Details of operating conditions if not specified in the Standard, or if no specific test standard is available for the type of plant being tested. E.g. test machine load, speed, type of material processed, details of installation and mounting of test machine, details of test environment, description of measurement instrumentation and procedure. Reference to a test report containing this information will suffice. Measurement position(s) (e.g. operator’s ear position or 1 metre from machines). Index measured (e.g. sound pressure level or sound power level.22 Frequency weighting (e.g. A, C or linear). Time Weighting (e.g. Leq, or LPeak). Sound level or levels determined in testing, and at what measuring position(s). Units of measurement (e.g. dB re: 20 micropascals). Date issued. |
Suggested proforma for presentation of information on noise levels generated by plant
A suggested proforma for the presentation of information on noise levels generated by plant follows. However, the information may be presented in any convenient way that will bring it to the purchaser’s attention. For example, a catalogue or operating instructions would be suitable, provided the information is complete.
Supplier/manufacturer |
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Supplier: |
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Name |
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Address |
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Phone/Facsimile |
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Manufacturer: |
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Name |
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Address |
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Phone/Facsimile |
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Details of plant tested |
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Description of item |
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Make |
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Model Serial No. |
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Noise reducing attachments fitted |
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Test Procedures |
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Operation conditions |
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Test environment |
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Test standard followed |
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Number |
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Title |
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Clauses |
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Departures from standard |
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Measurement method if no standard followed |
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Results |
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Sound pressure levels in decibels |
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Measurement position |
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Time weighting (fast, slow, Leq) |
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Range |
Mean |
A-weighted |
to |
dB(A) |
C-weighted |
to |
dB(C) |
C-weighted, peak |
to |
dB(C) peak |
Sound power level |
to |
dB(A) |
Date issued |
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22 'sound power level' means the relative magnitude of sound power, customarily expressed in decibels referenced to 1 picowatt.
Last updated 22 July 2008