Noise Surveys
Identifying noise hazards, evaluating employee exposure and determining whether additional control measures are required.
Exposure to excessive workplace noise can result in permanent hearing loss and may interfere with communication and safe working practices.
AirCHECK conducts occupational noise surveys to identify noise hazards, evaluate employee exposure and determine whether additional control measures are required.
When this service helps
Consider a noise survey where employees work around noisy equipment, processes have changed or you need to evaluate exposure and hearing-protection arrangements.
What do the regulations require?
Employers are required to identify and evaluate occupational noise risks and, where necessary, arrange representative noise exposure monitoring.
The findings are used to determine appropriate noise-control measures, noise-zone requirements and hearing conservation actions.
What we measure and evaluate
Depending on the workplace and exposure profile, the survey may include:
- Noise-generating plant, equipment, processes and activities.
- Employees and occupational groups potentially exposed to noise.
- Area noise measurements, noise zoning and personal noise dosimetry.
- Noise generated by specific machines, equipment and tasks.
- Peak noise levels where impulse noise may occur.
- Existing engineering, administrative and hearing-protection measures.
- Other relevant factors, including ototoxic chemical exposure and whole-body vibration.
Ambient and environmental noise surveys
AirCHECK also measures and evaluates noise in and around workplaces, buildings and other sites.
Surveys may include baseline and boundary measurements, investigation of noise complaints, evaluation of specific noise sources and measurement of ambient noise inside buildings. Results are evaluated with reference to SANS 10103 and any other criteria applicable to the site and purpose of the survey.
These surveys are separate from occupational noise exposure monitoring. Occupational surveys focus on employee exposure and hearing conservation, while ambient and environmental surveys consider acoustic comfort, noise annoyance, community impact and speech communication — see our Environmental Services for related work.
What you receive
AirCHECK provides a comprehensive occupational hygiene report containing the survey methodology, results, findings, conclusions and practical recommendations.
Regulatory framework
Occupational noise surveys are conducted with reference to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the applicable Noise Exposure Regulations, SANS 10083 and recognised occupational hygiene methods.
Ambient and environmental noise surveys are conducted with reference to SANS 10103 and any applicable environmental noise legislation, municipal requirements or site-specific criteria.