BODY PROTECTION AND WORKWEAR
“ACCORDING TO THE SELF-REPORTED WORKERS SURVEY 2010/2011, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT AROUND 22,000 INDIVIDUALS SUFFERED HEARING PROBLEMS AS A RESULT OF THEIR WORK.”
acoustic calibrator. All noise measurement standards state that an instrument must be calibrated before and after each use and without an acoustic calibrator, this cannot be done and therefore any measurements made could be inaccurate. The windshield will help protect the microphone from damage, even indoors.
Step 3 - The importance of recalibration and servicing.
Noise measurement instruments are precision tools, and the level of accuracy required from them is very high. Reputable manufacturers spend considerable time and effort to ensure their instruments meet these standards, therefore it is important to keep the equipment at the level of accuracy as when it was purchased. An instrument from a trusted manufacturer and meeting the latest standards should come with a calibration certificate and when recalibrated its performance should be checked against the original specifications and standards. To do this an acoustic calibrator cannot provide enough information about the instrument’s performance as the microphone capsule needs to be removed. With many low cost instruments the microphone cannot be removed, therefore the recalibration should be carried out by the original manufacturer or by a qualified calibration laboratory.
Step 4 - Does the equipment meet the specifications required?
The performance of sound level meters, noise dosemeters and acoustic calibrators are set out in national, European and international standards. The latest sound level meter standard gives two levels of accuracy, Class1 and Class2. The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, which are in force in the UK, states that with regard to sound level meters “Your sound level meter should meet at least Class 2 of BS EN 61672 – 1:2003. Personal noise dosemeters have their own standard with which they must comply, which is BS EN 61252:1997.
Step 5 - Making sure the equipment comes with clear instructions.
The level of training and experience required to operate complex sound level meters can often get in the way of making good quality noise measurements. However, a simple instrument that may require less training to operate, might not give enough accurate measurement. An expensive instrument may provide the data required, however the level of training needed could be expensive too. Therefore, it is recommended to choose an instrument that meets your practical requirements whilst keeping the instrument as simple as possible and the cost realistic.
Step 6 - Make sure the equipment is simple to use, straight out of the box.
Ensure the product you buy is user-friendly. Ideally you need a product that enables you to see all of the relevant, important information in one place quickly, making it easier for you to report on your measurements. At the very least “on” and “off” buttons should be obvious – it is concerning to note that on some equipment, even these fundamentals are unclear.
Step 7 - Make sure the equipment is ‘futureproof.’
When you are looking at different manufacturers, ask some questions and find out about how your investment will be supported. A reputable manufacturer should:
1. Regularly conduct research into noise measurement regulations and requirements to ensure they are kept constantly up- to-date with changing needs
2. Have an established Research and Development team that ensures your equipment contains the latest functionality to meet
all of your requirements
3. Offer you free software updates so you can continue to reap the benefits of your equipment investment for years to come
4. Provide equipment upgrades so you can easily change the use of your equipment without having to reinvest in brand new hardware
Step 8 - Does the equipment come with all the software you need to get the best out of it?
Most noise measurement equipment doesn’t come with reporting software as standard. You may only get basic downloading software supplied with the instrument so check what’s included. Putting together a report using your findings can be time consuming so it is advisable to ensure that the equipment is supplied with full reporting software for free as many providers charge a license fee and this can prove very expensive.
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