In a workplace at 7 locations sound was measured to be 82 dB, 86 dB, 95 dB, 65 dB, 90 dB, 75 dB, 105 dB. If a employee is working in this workplace, will he be overexposed to sound if he is working 8 hours shift.
To determine if the employee will be overexposed to sound, we need to calculate the average sound level over the 8-hour shift. The average sound level can be calculated using the following formula:
Lavg = 10 * log10(1/T * (10^(L1/10) + 10^(L2/10) + ... + 10^(Ln/10)))
Where:
Lavg = average sound level
T = total time in hours (8 hours in this case)
L1, L2, ..., Ln = individual sound levels in dB
Substitute the given sound levels into the formula:
Lavg = 10 * log10(1/8 * (10^(82/10) + 10^(86/10) + 10^(95/10) + 10^(65/10) + 10^(90/10) + 10^(75/10) + 10^(105/10)))
After calculating this equation, we find that the average sound level over an 8-hour shift is approximately 87.5 dB.
Now, the OSHA permissible exposure limit for an 8-hour shift is 85 dB. Since the average sound level in this workplace is 87.5 dB, the employee will be overexposed to sound and at risk of hearing damage if they work an 8-hour shift continuously. It is recommended that measures be taken to reduce the sound levels in the workplace or provide the employee with hearing protection.