Topic
Noise
Harmful occupational sound exposure and hearing effects.
Documents
- 202513 Nov
Noise exposure standards guidance note
Guidance for offshore petroleum dutyholders on statutory noise exposure limits and reducing risks to ALARP. It explains ear-position measurement, instrument calibration, source reduction, hearing-protector selection and attenuation calculations, audiometric surveillance and reassessment. It also addresses enforcement and recommended acoustic benchmarks for accommodation and support areas on fixed and mobile facilities.
- 2023Apr
Noise and Vibration
Inspection guidance for assessing offshore dutyholders’ management of occupational noise and hand-arm vibration. It combines inspection questions, performance scoring and enforcement expectations with discussion of engineering controls, tool selection, exposure-time management, hearing protection and health surveillance. It distinguishes hearing protection from noise control and addresses sustained regulatory compliance.
- 2021
Controlling noise at work
Guidance explains employer duties under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations and methods for assessing and reducing occupational sound exposure. It prioritises technical and organisational controls, covering quieter procurement, acoustic treatments, hearing-protector selection, noise measurement, exposure calculations and audiometric surveillance, with practical examples and questionnaires.
- 201113 Jun
Technical Report - Offshore petroleum facility accomodation
This informational technical report synthesises good practice for offshore petroleum living quarters. It addresses cabin layouts, privacy, communal spaces, acoustic insulation, vibration isolation, artificial lighting and indoor air quality. Recommendations cover design modelling, vendor specifications and commissioning checks, with application to new facilities and practicable improvements to existing accommodation.
- 2009Nov
Health risk management - A practical guide for managers in small and medium-sized enterprises
Practical guidance for managers of small and medium-sized enterprises on identifying occupational health hazards, assessing risks, implementing controls and checking results. Case studies illustrate chemical exposure, noise, vibration and musculoskeletal problems. It discusses workforce involvement, health surveillance, exposure measurement, engineering controls and continuing improvement.
- 19986 May
Exposure to Noise
This safety alert introduces examples of noise exposure measured by an operator. The supplied extract establishes exposure measurement as its subject but does not include the examples themselves, measured sound levels, exposure durations, hearing effects or recommended protective measures.
- Undated
Environmental Responsibility and Lean Innovations
Presentation outlining RockPile’s environmental and operational innovations for hydraulic fracturing. It contrasts pneumatic sand handling with box-based proppant delivery and describes chemical management improvements. Reported benefits include reduced silica dust, noise, vehicle idling, chemical exposure and waste, alongside less manual handling, manual gauging and work at height.
- Undated
Hearing Protector Fit Testing: Ensuring Appropriate Noise Protection at Work
This advisory bulletin explains individual hearing protector fit testing using subjective and objective systems. It distinguishes personal attenuation ratings from laboratory noise reduction ratings, outlines equipment selection and testing limitations, and discusses coaching, retesting and suggested testing frequency. Fit testing is presented as best practice, not a federal OSHA noise-standard requirement.
- Undated
Statoil - Mongstad - Investigation into steam leak
This investigation examines the Mongstad steam leak of November 2012, linking pipe fracture to corrosion-related wall thinning. It identifies weaknesses in corrosion monitoring, operational data, inspection follow-up, contractor oversight and repair risk assessment. Valve isolation stopped the leak after 12 minutes; nobody was seriously injured.
- Undated
Vorteq Manifold Trailer and The Quiet Fleet
Presentation examining hydraulic fracturing equipment improvements through the Vorteq manifold trailer and isobaric pressure exchangers, including pump wear, flow arrangements, testing and reduced red-zone exposure. It also describes Quiet Fleet noise measurements and modelling, occupational and community noise requirements, mitigation options and three-stage fire suppression.