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Case Study:
Occupational Noise Measurements

Validating Occupational Noise Exposure with SV 104 Dosimeters in a Mechanical Workshop

Introduction

Ensuring Accurate Occupational Noise Measurements in Mechanical Workshops

Measuring workplace noise is essential for protecting workers’ hearing and meeting international safety regulations. In a dynamic mechanical workshop, noise levels vary throughout the day, with CNC machines, grinders, and saws producing fluctuating exposure levels. This study focused on validating noise exposure measurements to ensure that reported values reflected real occupational risks—not distortions caused by accidental events or non‑work‑related noise.

Measurement Operator

SVANTEK Consultants

The measurements were carried out by SVANTEK Consultants, acoustic specialists experienced in occupational noise analysis. Their role was to deploy SV 104 dosimeters on a worker, oversee the data collection process, and analyze the results to identify and correct any distortions in the noise exposure assessment.

Challenge

Identifying and Eliminating Distortions in Occupational Noise Data

Accurate occupational noise measurements are often distorted by factors unrelated to actual exposure—like loud music, devices left stationary near machines, or microphones bumping into hard surfaces. These artifacts can overestimate noise levels, leading to unnecessary protective measures or regulatory misinterpretation. The challenge was to identify and remove these distortions to present a true picture of workplace noise exposure.

Three mechanical shocks indicated in Supervisor software

Technology Used

Noise dosimeters from SVANTEK

SV 104A – Personal noise dosimeter

Supervisor - PC Software for Health and Safety

SVANTEK SV 104A Personal Noise Dosimeter

Expert Insight

Modern Dosimeters Enable Eliminating Distortions in Occupational Noise Measurements

“Smart dosimeters like the SV 104 don’t just measure noise—they reveal the real story behind the data. By combining audio logging, frequency analysis, and motion detection, we can separate true occupational exposure from misleading artifacts, ensuring every decision is based on accurate information.”

Marek Podgórski, Noise & Vibration Expert

Time history of LAeq and LCpeak with a spectrogram of a loud music event

Result

7h 13min measured during a work shift.

Corrected LEX,8h: 71.3 dBA (4.3% of the daily dose).

Distortion sources identified: music (1.3%), stationary placement on CNC machine (13.7%), microphone bumps (87.6%).

Initial LEX,8h: 85.7 dBA (106% of the daily dose) — heavily inflated by distortions.

Full-day LAeq measurement overview

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