Intro to Noise
The Basics of a Hearing Conservation Program
Noise is very generally defined as unwanted sound. Most manufacturing processes generate noise as a by-product of that process. The intensity and frequencies of these noises vary significantly depending on the nature of the processes involved, the type of room in which these processes take place, and the speed of the processes themselves.
Noise exposure exists only when there is someone present to receive the noise being generated. The degree of the exposure varies as much as the process or operation itself varies. There is a great deal of controversy over what constitutes a safe level of noise exposure.
It will, therefore, be the intention of this whitepaper to outline the requirements of a proper Hearing Conservation Program.
