Workplace Safety
Occupational noise assessment for worker protection programs and hearing conservation. Identify high-noise areas and evaluate control measures.
Occupational Noise Exposure
Workplace noise exposure above regulatory limits causes permanent hearing damage. Employers must assess noise levels, implement controls, and provide hearing protection to workers in high-noise areas.
SoundPLAN models indoor industrial environments with machine sources, reflective surfaces, and worker positions. The software calculates noise levels throughout the workspace and identifies areas requiring hearing protection.
Key Capabilities
- Workplace noise level mapping in 3D indoor environments
- Noise dose calculations for worker exposure assessment
- LEX,8h (daily exposure) and Lpeak calculations
- Hearing protection zone identification
- Machine source characterization and contribution analysis
- Engineering control effectiveness evaluation
- Administrative control scenario modeling
- Compliance with occupational exposure limits
Exposure Limits
ISO 1999
85 dB(A) LEX,8h action level
OSHA (USA)
90 dB(A) TWA, 85 dB(A) action level
EU Directive
80/85 dB(A) action values
NIOSH (USA)
85 dB(A) REL recommended
Control Measures
Engineering Controls
Enclosures, barriers, damping, isolation, silencers
Administrative Controls
Work rotation, scheduling, quiet zones, time limits
Hearing Protection
HPD selection, attenuation verification, fit testing
Warning Systems
Signage, zone marking, hearing protection required areas
Indoor Factory Modeling
SoundPLAN models noise propagation inside factory buildings accounting for room acoustics, reflections, and absorption. The software calculates noise levels at worker positions from all machine sources.
- 3D room geometry with ceiling and walls
- Surface absorption coefficients
- Machine source positions and power levels
- Worker position noise dose calculation