Noise control standards for machinery and workplaces

A variety of international and European standards concerned with various parameters relevant to noise control are under development in order to properly implement the machinery directive 89/392. Standards covering machinery, sound insulation products, workrooms, and workplaces are already in place. This article considers the standardization concept which underlies this standards-making program. It also highlights deficiencies which are apparent to employers and safety specialists depending on standards to assist them in implementing specific noise control measures. The quality of machine-specific standards needs to be improved if they are to bring the intended benefits for occupational health and safety. This article presents the results of a project commissioned by Germany's Commission for Occupational Health, Safety and Standardization, KAN. The project was carried out by the Bundesanstalt ftir Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin (BAuA) in cooperation with NA Akustik, Larmminderung und Schwingungstechnik, NALS and the lTD technical documentation center.