Sound is a vibration that propagates through an elastic medium without the transport of matter, but only of energy.
Noise is an undesired sound of natural or artificial origin.
The sound pressure level is conventionally measured in decibels (dB).
Noise can cause a range of health damages, the most serious and well-known of which is hearing loss.
Also not to be overlooked are the possible effects on safety: noise can cause a masking effect that disrupts the perception of safety acoustic signals.
Legislative Decree 81 of April 9, 2008, Chapter II of Title VIII, provides measures for prevention and protection against occupational exposure to noise, particularly for the prevention of hearing damage.
Article 190 of D.Lgs. 81/2008 requires employers to conduct a noise assessment within their company to identify workers exposed to the risk and to implement appropriate prevention and health protection measures.
Risk assessment must be carried out by a qualified person in all companies, regardless of the manufacturing sector, where subordinate or equivalent workers are present; in cases where it cannot be reasonably excluded that the lower action values are exceeded, the assessment must also include measurements carried out according to the appropriate technical standards (UNI EN ISO 9612:2011 and UNI 9432:2011).
WHAT TO DO whenever you intend to purchase a new noisy equipment
Whenever you intend to purchase equipment, it is necessary to inform the PREP, Prevention and Protection Service, by attaching the technical data sheet of the instrument and indicating the laboratory where the equipment will be used. The Service will carry out the risk assessment, including direct measures with a sound level meter and possibly:
- implementing measures to contain the source by designing sound-absorbing barriers;
- defining a "restricted access zone", marked with appropriate safety signage;
- providing instructions to users on suitable Personal Protective Equipment to be adopted.
