Acoustics
Sorry, the interactive calculator works only with browsers that support Javascript. But you can get an idea of how noise exposure adds up as follows:
An exposure of 80 dB (the lower action Level of the Noise at Work regulations) can be reached by a continuous exposure to the following noise level and duration, during one working day:
Level |
Duration |
|
80 dB | 8 hours | |
83 dB | 4 hours | |
86 dB | 2 hours | |
89 dB | 1 hour | |
92 dB | 30 minutes | |
95 dB | 15 minutes | |
98 dB | 8 minutes | |
101 dB | 4 minutes | |
104 dB | 2 minutes |
Doubling the duration of exposure to a constant noise has the same effect on the exposure as increasing the level by 3 dB.
Relatively short breaks have little effect. In an 8
hour shift, the reduction in exposure given by a quiet break is as
follows:
Break in 8 hr shift | dB reduction | |
30 minutes | 0.3 dB | |
50 minutes | 0.5 dB | |
1 hr 40 min | 1.0 dB | |
2 hr 20 min | 1.5 dB | |
3 hours | 2.0 dB |
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