Noise and Vibrations



NOISE

Noise intensity, frequency and time of exposure can influence the work tasks carried out in a noisy environment. The presence of noise at the work place for longer periods of time can reduce the worker’s performance. Noise causes irreversible hear loss, which represents approximately 1/3 of the total number of reported occupational diseases. Noise influences the nervous and cardiovascular system and represents a risk and stress factor that can lead to various other health disorders.

Specific actions to control noise:

  • Assist and give technical expertise to identify and assess risks resulting from noise exposure;
  • Assess workers’ exposure to noise, estimate and make scenarios to reduce exposure using noise maps;
  • Assess noise developed by machines and equipment;
  • Test PPE against noise;
  • Design plants and devices (sound-insulating cabins, containments, enclosures, noise dampers) to prevent and control noise;
  • Study noise as a risk factor in the work atmosphere and general environment;
  • Develop studies and researches to design methods of noise control in the work atmosphere and general environment;
  • Develop studies and researchers on elaborating topics of interest in noise within the national regulation system in the safety and health at work area;
  • Carry out environment impact studies – laboratory certified by the Ministry of Environment;
  • Carry out environment balances – laboratory certified by the Ministry of Environment;
  • Develop applicative research to reduce the polluting sources;
  • Provide specialized consultancy and assistance to companies.

 

Vibrations

Industrial and agricultural equipment, as well as air, land and sea vehicles expose persons to mechanical vibrations that can affect his/her comfort, work capacity and in certain circumstances his/her health and safety.
Exposure to vibrations results in disorders of the nervous system, circulation system and musculoskeletal and joint system.
There are 2 main ways to be exposed at vibrations:

  1. Global vibrations – interact with the human body by means of support surfaces (platforms, vehicles, etc);
  2. Hand-arm vibrations – interact with various parts of the human body during work with vibrating tools (head, hands, arms).

Specific actions to control vibrations:

  • Assess risk of exposure to mechanical vibrations in the work atmosphere and general environment;
  • Develop studies and researches to identify and develop methods for controlling mechanical vibrations;
  • Develop studies and researches to design devices for controlling mechanical vibrations;
  • Test technical equipment as for vibrations;
  • Test the PPEs vibration insulating properties;
  • Provide specialized consultancy and assistance to companies.

Moreover, the specialists of the laboratory have a wide experience and can perform works in the industrial ventilation area.

Part of the works published by the specialists of the Noise and Vibration Laboratory are listed here.