Development and Validation of a Numerical Prediction Model to Estimate the Annoyance Condition at the Operation Station of Compact Loaders "International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics" 3/2011, p. 233-240 Eleonora Carletti, Francesca Pedrielli, Camilla Casazza This paper describes the results of a study aimed at developing and validating a prediction model to assess the annoyance conditions at the operator station of compact loaders by using noise signal objective parameters only. For this purpose, binaural measurements were carried out on 41 compact loaders, both in stationary and real working conditions. The 62 binaural noise recordings were objectively analysed in terms of acoustic and psychoacoustic parameters and then divided into 9 groups and used in specific jury tests to obtain the subjective annoyance scores. Finally, multiple regression technique was applied to the first 6 groups of noise stimuli to develop the model while the remaining groups were used to validate it. Effect of Musician's Earplugs on Sound Level and Spectrum During Musical Performances "International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics" 3/2011, p. 249-254 Emil Kozłowski, Jan Żera, Rafał Młyński In this study, change in A-weighted and 1/3-octave sound pressure levels (SPLs) was used to assess the influence of wearing earplugs by musicians on their musical performances. Seven soloists and 3 music assembles performed 4 pieces of music with musician’s earplugs donned and doffed. They used silicon custom moulded earplugs with acoustic filters designed to attenuate sound by 9, 15 or 25 dB. Results showed that the use of earplugs affected the sound level and the spectrum of played sounds. This effect was the greatest for brass players. The difference between SPLs in high-frequency 1/3-octave bands and A-weighted SPLs with and without earplugs exceeded 5 and 15 dB, respectively. Similar changes for woodwind, percussion and string instruments were less noticeable than for brass instruments; they were more than 5 dB for 1/3-octave spectra and no more than 2 dB for A-weighted SPL. Evaluation of Sound Exposure and Risk of Hearing Impairment in Orchestral Musicians "International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics" 3/2011, p. 255-269 Małgorzata Pawlaczyk-Łuszczyńska, Adam Dudarewicz, Małgorzata Zamojska, Mariola Śliwinska-Kowalska This study aimed to assess exposure to sound and the risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in orchestral musicians. Sound pressure level was measured in 1 opera and 3 symphony orchestras; questionnaires were filled in. On the basis of that data, the risk of NIHL was assessed according to Standard No. ISO 1999:1990. Classical orchestral musicians are usually exposed to sound at equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure levels of 81−90 dB (10th−90th percentiles), for 20−45 h (10th−90th percentiles) per week. Occupational exposure to such sound levels over 40 years of employment might cause hearing loss (expressed as a mean hearing threshold level at 2, 3, 4 kHz exceeding 35 dB) of up to 26%. Playing the horn, trumpet, tuba and percussion carries the highest risk (over 20%). Estimating Surface Acoustic Impedance With the Inverse Method "International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics" 3/2011, p. 271-276 Janusz Piechowicz Sound field parameters are predicted with numerical methods in sound control systems, in acoustic desings of building and in sound field simulations. Those methods define the acoustic properties of surfaces, such as sound absorption coefficients or acoustic impedance, to determine boundary conditions. Several in situ measurement techniques were developed; one of them uses 2 microphones to measure direct and reflected sound over a planar test surface. Another approach is used in the inverse boundary elements method, in which estimating acoustic impedance of a surface is expressed as an inverse boundary problem. The boundary values can be found from multipoint sound pressure measurements in the interior of a room. This method can be applied to arbitrarily-shaped surfaces. This investigation is part of a research programme on using inverse methods in industrial room acoustics. A Global Index of Acoustic Assessment of Machines& - Results of Experimental and Simulation Tests "International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics" 3/2011, p. 277-286 Dariusz Pleban A global index of machines was developed to assess noise emitted by machines and to predict noise levels at workstations. The global index is a function of several partial indices: sound power index, index of distance between the workstation and the machine, radiation directivity index, impulse and impact noise index and noise spectrum index. Tests were carried out to determine values of the global index for engine-generator; the inversion method for determining sound power level was used. It required modelling each tested generator with one omnidirectional substitute source. The partial indices and the global index were simulated, too. The results of the tests confirmed the correctness of the simulations. Noise Generated by Multiple-Jet Nozzles With Conical Profiles "International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics" 3/2011, p. 287-299 Shaw-Ching Sheen Conical multiple-jet nozzles, which reduce the risk of nozzle openings being blocked, are tested for their effectiveness in noise reduction. Nozzles with different exit spacings are tested. It is found that the multiple-jet design significantly decreases noise levels in the audible range by shifting emitted sound power to higher and ultrasonic frequencies. No significant difference in noise characteristics between exits distributed on a flat plane and beveled exits on a conical surface is observed. When the exits are more densely distributed, there is a trend of spectra shifting back toward the low frequency. This phenomenon is found to increase sound levels in a certain range of frequencies much lower than the peak one. Although this increase contributes little to the total emitted sound power, it is an important factor in determining the sound levels of audible noise. Noise Variability in Underground Room and Pillar Coal Mines "International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics" 3/2011, p. 301-308 Marek L. Szary, Yoginder P. Chugh, Joseph Hirschi Noise in an underground coal mine has dominant components generated mainly from 3 sources: (a) continuous mining machines, (b) roof bolters, and (c) cars/vehicles used to transport personnel and/or coal. Each of these 3 noise sources also has a number of well-defined sub-sources with their own noise characteristics. Sound level meters were used to collect noise data in the form of instantaneous readings and also to check calibration of other sound measuring instruments. The most useful information was obtained from a spectrum analysis of continuous digital recordings of noise over time. This paper discusses the variability or dynamics of generated noise in both frequency and time domains in relation to several independent variables related to coal extraction and transportation processes. Problems of Railway Noise - A Case Study "International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics" 3/2011, p. 309-325 Małgorzata Szwarc, Bożena Kostek, Józef Kotus, Maciej Szczodrak, Andrzej Czyżewski Under Directive 2002/49/EC relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise, all European countries are obliged to model their environmental noise levels in heavily populated areas. Some countries have their own national method, to predict noise but most have not created one yet. The recommendation for countries that do not have their own model is to use an interim method. The Dutch SRM II scheme is suggested for railways. In addition to the Dutch model, this paper describes and discusses 3 other national methods. Moreover, discrepancies between the HARMONOISE and IMAGINE projects are analysed. The results of rail traffic noise measurements are compared with national methods. Occupational Exposure to Impulse Noise Associated With Shooting "International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics" 1/2011, p. 69-77 Felicja Lwow, Paweł Jóźków, Marek Mędraś Shooting training is associated with exposure to a considerable amount of unique noise. We wanted to evaluate noise exposure during such training. Our observations especially apply to professional sport shooters, but they are also valid for shooting coaches/instructors. We collected acoustic signals in 10-, 25- and 50-m as well as open-air shooting ranges. The recorded material was analysed with orthogonal, adaptive parameterization by Shur. The mean duration of a single acoustic signal was 250–800 ms with the C-weighted sound peak pressure level of 138.2–165.2 dB. Shooters may be exposed to as many as 600–1350 acoustic impulses during a training unit. The actual load for the hearing organ of a professional shooter or a shooting coach is ~200 000 acoustic stimuli in a year-long training macrocycle. Orthogonal, adaptive parameterization by Shur makes safe scheduling of shooters’ training possible. Noise Exposure Levels of Priests and Worshippers in Protestant Churches "International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics" 1/2011, p. 79-86 Luiz Felipe Silva, Rogério Cabral Context. Worship in Protestant churches in Brazil is very noisy. Thus, this practice may pose a hearing risk. Aims. To evaluate the priests’ and worshippersʼ noise exposure during worship. Settings and design. The analysis was carried out in 5 churches located in the city of São José dos Campos, Brazil. Methods and material. To estimate the worshippers’ noise exposure, an author of this study was also submitted to dosimetry. The methodology was based on Fundacentro’s Occupational Hygiene Standard No. NHO-01 (2001). Weekly noise exposure was estimated according to the priest’s information about the number of services in the period. Results. The priest’s noise exposure was over the recommended limits. The normalized exposure level varied between 95.4 to 99.5 dB(A). In 2 of the churches, the noise exposure registered, with values of 85.3 and 86.5 dB(A), may also pose risk to the worshippers. Conclusions. Worship in the churches generated sound pressure levels that imply health risk, especially to priests, so hearing conservation programs with adequate acoustical sanitation measures must be implemented there.