Abstract:

The Standards of occupational noise (A-weighted) in Russia, the Ukraine, and other countries in the former USSR are differentiated by degrees of labor tension (40--80 dB). Frequently enough in practical life there is a real necessity to solve the problem of noise control, which is summed up for a full-time day during which labor is exposed to different noise levels. The problem is addressed by the definition of equivalent sound shift level---the noise working loudness. This definition correctly sets forth one noise standard during a shift of one action, i.e., the fulfillment for a particular period by a worker of identical labor tension. The decision of this task is complicated by the presence during the shift of work distinguishing not only the noise levels but different labor tension. So for instance at the milk production plants, machinists of compressor stations, boilers, and refrigeration plants for a full-time working day in various succession are fulfilling ordinary manual labor (80 dB standard) work conducted under a strict graph with instruction (65 dB standard), work dealing with frequent indications and acoustical signals (60 dB standard), labor connected with communications means (55 dB standard). Under the circumstances, it is advisable to sum up noise control according to the quotient of noise loudness (QNL). It is defined by the overage in time exceeding the standards of sound level for every separate period of labor with different degrees of labor tension. The quotient of noise loudness (QNL) is calculated by the proposed formula. It allows one to make noise control under successive fulfillment of jobs specified by various degrees of labor tension.