Estimation of sound pressure level exposures from sound power level measurements of powered hand-tools using the diffuse-field point source model Eyring Theory

摘要

As part of a long-term goal to reduce noise induced hearing loss in the construction industry, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimated the A-weighted sound pressure level at the operator's ear (L_(PA, est)) from the A-weighted sound power (LWA) measurements of 118 various model powered hand tools using the diffuse-field point source model Eyring theory. L_(PA, est) from the model are compared to sound pressure measurements (L_(PA, meat)) acquired from a microphone located in the nominal hearing zone of a simulated powered hand tool operator. This paper provides a basis for the direct substitution of L_(WA) for L_(PA, meat) and a comparison of L_(PA, est) to L_(PA), meas. The magnitude of L_(WA) is found to be a reasonable predictor of the magnitude of sound pressure level exposure, or L_(PA, meat), that a powered hand tool operator might experience across a variety of acoustical environments. As such, L_(WA) magnitude can be used directly to select appropriate hearing protection and estimate worker' noise exposure.