Version HTML de base
22
Spécial “ Noise at work 2007 ”
Acoustique
&
Techniques n° 49
Atelier : La diffusion de l’information sur la maîtrise du bruit :
Présentations
Noise exposure risk assessment and noise
reduction at workplaces facilitated by the use of
information technology achievements
uropean union directive related to exposure of sound
at the workplace was published in 2003 [1]. It is addressed
by the EU commission to the member states. The directive
is a part of a series of physical agents directives. Three
other directives have been published for the physical agents
“vibration”, “artificial optical radiation” and “electromagnetic
fields”. The purpose of the directives is the introduction of
measures to encourage improvements in the safety and
health of workers at work.
The EU directive on the physical agent noise in work places
has lead to a new version of the regulation on noise by
Arbetsmiljöverket in Sweden, [2]. In the autumn 2005,
Arbetsmiljöverket had a campaign in which they inspected
1 700 companies. Their conclusion was that three of four
inspected companies had not done what they should have
done according to the regulation, [3]. Many companies
are taking the new regulation seriously and are making
programs for noise reduction to come below the lower
exposure action value 80 dBA. At ÅF-Ingemansson we
have noted an increased demand for services in noise
exposure risk assessment and noise control plans. The
turn-over in this service area increased with 50 % from
2005 to 2006.
NoiseSurf
®
A new tool have been invented to facilitate risk assessment
and noise reduction.
According to the directive, the employer shall assess, and
if necessary, measure the levels of noise to which workers
are exposed. As a part of the risk assessment, the noise
exposure levels shall be compared to the action and limit
values. Another obligation of the employer is to ensure that
workers who are exposed to noise at work at or above the
lower exposure action values, and their representatives,
receive information and training relating to risks resulting
from exposure to noise. Instead of presenting this
information in written documents in paper copies, the noise
exposure levels can be easily accessed in a web interface
on a computer by all employed personnel. NoiseSurf
®
has
been made for this purpose ; see an example in Figure 1.
Clicking on one of the triangles in the noise contour plots
leads to the sound source data information (“källdata”) in
the upper right corner of the webpage. The source data
includes the coordinates for the source, an identification
number, the name and a link to a data sheet. In this case
Martin Almgren
ÅF-Ingemansson AB
P.O. Box 1551
SE401 51 Göteborg
Sweden
E-mail: martin.almgren@ingemansson.se
Summary
A new tool, NoiseSurf
®
, has been invented to facilitate risk assessment
and noise reduction at workplaces. All information from the noise
sources with sound signals, which can be listened to, photos,
description of noise mitigation measure and the noise levels in different
workplaces can easily be accessed in a web interface together with
target levels, action values and limit values for noise exposure. Worker
information and training can be provided with the interactive CD
“Ljud and oljud” published by Prevent and made in cooperation with
ÅF-Ingemansson in Sweden.
Résumé
NoiseSurf
®
est un nouvel outil développé pour faciliter l’évaluation des
risques et le contrôle du bruit au travail. Il se compose d’une interface
web qui permet d’accéder facilement à des contenus multimédia. On
y trouve des données sur les sources de bruit et les signaux sonores
(certaines sous forme de fichiers audio), des photos et des descriptions
de mesures de réduction du bruit sur différents lieux de travail, et des
informations sur les niveaux-cibles, les valeurs d’action, et les valeurs
limites d’exposition au bruit. L’information et la formation des travailleurs
peuvent se faire à l’aide du CD-rom interactif « Ljud and oljud » publié par
Prevent et réalisé en coopération avec ÅF-Ingemansson en Suède.
E