According to the principles of the Noise Regulation issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, noise exclusion levels are defined as follows:
- Daily noise exposure level (LEX, 8 hour): TSE 2607 is the time-weighted average of all noise exposure levels, including instant pulsed noise, over an eight-hour working day, as defined in the ISO 1999 standard.
- Weekly noise exposure level (LEX, 8 hours): TSE 2607 As defined in the ISO 1999 standard, the daily noise exposure levels are the time-weighted average of a week's operating time over eight hours per day.
This regulation was adopted to determine the measures to be taken to protect employees from risks that may cause health and safety problems due to noise exposure, in particular from hearing-related risks.
According to the regulation, acceptable personal noise exposure levels are as follows:
- Daily noise exposure limit values: LEX, 8 hours = 87 dB
- Maximum exposure effective in terms of sound pressure: LEX, 8 hours = 85 dB
- Lowest exposure effective value: LEX, 8 hours = 80 dB
If the daily noise exposure values differ significantly from day to day, then the exposure limit values and the exposure effective values can be used instead of daily exposure values in accordance with their conditions.
The sixth article of this regulation is titled m Determination and evaluation of risks ve and includes the principles for determining and evaluating the risks caused by noise in the workplaces.
The seventh article of the regulation is called esi prevention or reduction of exposure ve and it includes the principles for preventing or reducing the exposure caused by noise in working environments.
In short, personal noise exposure of employees shall not exceed the limit values specified in the regulation. However, in spite of all the measures taken, if the exposure limit values have been found to be exceeded, the employer must take the necessary measures to reduce the exposure limit values immediately. It also has to investigate why the exposure limit values have been exceeded and find out the reasons. It also has to take all measures for protection and prevention in order to prevent it from recurring.
What is the Scope of Personal Noise Exposure Measurement (LEX, 8 Watch)?
In 2013, according to the Regulation on Health and Safety Conditions in the Use of Work Equipment issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, it is obligatory for the enterprises to test and inspect the environments and equipment used by the employees in certain intervals and according to certain methods. Measurements made within this framework include personal noise exposure measurements.
There are many national and international standards to be taken as basis for these measurements. A few standards to consider are:
• TS 2607 ISO 1999 Acoustics - Determination of exposure to workplace noise and estimation of hearing loss caused by this noise
• TS EN ISO 9612 Acoustics - Determination of exposure to noise in the working environment - Engineering method
• ISO EN ISO 9614-1 Acoustics - Determination of sound power levels of noise sources using sound intensity - Part 1: Measurement at different points
• TS EN ISO 3746 Acoustics - Determination of sound power levels and sound energy levels of noise sources using sound pressure - Observation method using a surrounding measuring surface on a reflective plane
our organization TÜRCERT Technical Control and Certification Inc.provides measurement services in accordance with national and international standards and with an impartial approach. In addition, during these activities, TS EN ISO / IEC 17020 General Criteria for the Operation of Various Types of Inspection Organizations complies with the principles. More detailed information about personal exposure measurements between workplace environment measurements can be requested from our employees.