Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
5-31-1993
Degree Name
Master of Science in Occupational Safety and Health Engineering - (M.S.)
Department
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
First Advisor
Min-Yong Park
Second Advisor
Howard Gage
Third Advisor
Layek Abdel-Malek
Abstract
A noise survey was conducted on the pump floor of a power generating plant, which included measuring noise levels at 261 areas of the floor (6,000 square feet) and the employees' noise doses, or 8-hour time-weighted average (TWAs). The noise levels of the 261 areas were recorded using a Sound Level Meter, and the noise doses (i.e., TWAs) were measured using a noise Dosimeter. It was found that both noise levels and TWAs were higher than the OSHA's permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 90 dBA and the action level of 85 dBA. According to the data gathered, it was determined that at least single hearing protection devices are mandatory while working on the pump floor after evaluating noise attenuation using both single and double hearing protection. Finally, baffles, enclosing walls, preventive maintenance, and behavior modification techniques and incentive programs are recommended in order to attenuate noise exposure levels to safety levels and improve hearing protection devices usage among employees.
Recommended Citation
Fabregas, Eilyn, "Modern techniques used to improve a hearing conservation program in a power generating plant" (1993). Theses. 1750.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/theses/1750
