Course Description

Workers in many different industries are exposed to noise and vibration may present a risk to their health. Long term exposure to noise can result in hearing loss while exposure to vibration can cause harmful effects such as vibration white finger. Failure to control these risks can result in lost time due to ill health, worker dissatisfaction, reduced productivity and claims for compensation. Effective management of the risks from noise and vibration requires employers to understand the nature and degree of worker exposures. In many cases measurement of worker exposures is needed to achieve this. Where such measurements are needed it is important to ensure that a sensible strategy is adopted, appropriate techniques are used, and the results are interpreted carefully. This seminar provides is designed to provide an understanding of the harmful effects associated with exposure to noise and vibration and equip organisations to undertake effective assessments of the risks they present in the workplace.

Course Objective

At the end of the seminar, the delegates should be able to:

·         Understand the harmful effects of exposure to noise and vibration at work

·         Understand the role of noise and vibration measurement techniques

·         Identify the main techniques used to measure worker exposure to noise and vibration

·         Develop strategies for noise and vibration exposure assessment surveys and monitoring programmes

·         Select appropriate instruments to measure noise levels and assess worker exposures

·         Conduct surveys in the workplace to assess risks from noise

·         Develop hearing conservation programmes

·         Select appropriate instruments for measuring vibration and assessing the risks from hand arm vibration and whole body vibration

 Who Should attend?

·         Managers responsible for health and safety

·         Personnel responsible for the design and implementation of workplace assessment and monitoring programmes

·         Personnel responsible for undertaking risk assessments for noise and vibration

·         Occupational health personnel who wish to obtain a better understanding of the principles involved in the assessment and control of noise and vibration

·         Managers wishing to reduce risk and liability for their organisation through effective management of health risks

Course Outline

Day 1

·         Properties of sound

·         Definitions and measurements units - noise

·         The ear and its response to sound

Day 2

·         Noise exposure assessment strategies

·         Conducting a noise survey

·         Sound level meters

·         Measurement of sound pressure level

·         Frequency analysis

·         Personal exposure assessment

·         Personal dosimetry

Day 3

·         Interpreting data from noise surveys

·         Noise exposure standards

·         Using frequency analysis information to select hearing protection

Day 4

·         Vibration – basic physics

·         Definitions and measurement units – vibrations

·         The effects of vibration on humans

Day 5

·         Approaches to vibration exposure assessment

·         Instrumentation for measuring vibration

·         Assessing hand – arm vibration

·         Assessing whole body vibration

·         Vibration exposure standards