Improvement of noise examination in the work environment . Method of measuring single acoustic events and method of input data conditioning

Strategy 1 (task-based measurements), described in the PN-EN ISO 9612: 2011 standard "Acoustics - Determination of occupational noise exposure - Engineering method " not always brings fully reliable results of noise measurements. This happens in conditions where the measured noise is significantly variable because of changes in the intensity of work or changes in the duration of particular technological cycles. The same applies to short-term acoustic events characterized by high sound levels and various types of interruptions in activities performed by a worker. These reasons, as well as mathematical simplifications adopted in Strategy 1, often cause significant errors. For such situations, in order to improve the accuracy of analyzes and to reduce time consumption of measurements, the following methods have been proposed for noise examination in work environment: 1) The method of measuring individual acoustic events (used in external environment research for traffic noise measurements) - which was adapted to work environment by deriving mathematical formulas applied in it directly from the aforementioned Strategy 1, providing rules of measuring and deriving formulas for estimating their uncertainty. 2) The method of input data conditioning - which, after appropriate adjustment of input data, allows for calculation of accuracy of the final results (and their uncertainties) with preservation of accuracy, using the mathematical formulas given in Strategy 1. The proposed methods allow to determine all the values and acoustic data obtained as a result of the application of Strategy 1. They are also suitable to be applied simultaneously at the same work station - which is included in the presented measurement model. This article discusses the problems of occupational safety and health, which are covered by health sciences and environmental engineering.