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Control of Vehicle Noise & Vibration

Controlling Noise and Vibration in the Workplace
can be achieved by putting in place engineering and/or administrative control measures to reduce workers' exposure to noise and vibration. Engineering controls are better than administrative controls as they do not interfere with operations.

Noise Controls
Noise is a Hazard that can and must be controlled. This can be by:

  • Reducing noise emissions at the source
  • Controlling the noise transmission path (eg. noise treatment, enclosures, etc.)
  • Implementing a Hearing Protection Program

    Vibration Controls

  • Reducing vibration at the source (eg. engine vibration)
  • Isolation of vibration from the source to the operator seat
  • Modifying the vehicle suspension or seat suspension

    Noise & Vibration Control Tools The main tool for implementing engineering methods to control noise and vibration is knowledge. Vipac Engineers & Scientists has over 25 years of experience in this area with technical skills in:

  • Noise & Acoustic Intensity Measurement & Analysis
  • Vibro-Acoustics
  • Noise Source Identification & Ranking
  • Structural Dynamics
  • Vibration Measurement & Analysis
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • Noise and Vibration Modelling & Prediction
  • Modal Analysis

    To find out more about these services, please email:


    Assessment of Vehicle Noise & Vibration

    Exposure to Vehicle Noise and Vibration is a Health Hazard
    Noise causes hearing loss, annoyance, discomfort and interferes with performance of various tasks. Exposure to vehicle vibration and high amplitude jolts and jars can contribute to muscle fatigue, stiffness, low back pain and serious physical injury.

    Who is at Risk?
    Operators of construction and mining machinery, fork lifts, off-road vehicle drivers, passengers, etc.

    Consequences ?
    Workplaces where workers are exposed to excessive Noise and vibration experience increased compensation costs and lost work days through absenteeism, work inefficiencies and early retirement.

    Are There Recommended Vibration Limits and Guidelines ?
    YES - these are set-out in Australian and British Standards AS 2670.1 and BS 6841.

    And Noise Legislation ?
    The NSW Occupational Health and Safety (Noise) Regulation proclaims statutory levels of daily exposure of 85dB(A) with peak levels of 140dB, measured in accordance with Australian/New Zealand AS/NZS 1269-1998.

    How Can Your Company Ensure it is Complying with The Above ?
    By implementing a noise and vibration control program to identify offending equipment and put in place engineering and/or administrative control measures to reduce workers' exposure to vehicle noise/vibration.
    But the first step is to assess the noise/vibration environment of your equipment. VIPAC can do it for you with virtually no interruption to your normal operations.

    To find out more about these services, please email:


    Whole Body Vibration - Evaluation Procedure

    Australian Standard AS 2670.1 - 1990 / British Standard BS 6841 - 1987
    Note: Compliance with the above Standards does not of itself confer immunity from legal obligations.

    Company: ABC Pty Ltd Vehicle ID: Fork Lift (Unit 27)
    Test Date: 23.9.98 Operator Name: Steeve Himself
    Time: morning shift Typical Daily Exposure: 8 hours
    Test Details: Dispatch Area
    Test Conditions: Typical working conditions
    Test Engineer:   Signature:  

    Summary of Results
      AS 2670.1 - 1990 BS 6841 - 1987
    Location Direction RMS Acceleration (m/s2) Recommended Daily Exposure Time FDP Limit (Hours) CrestFactor Vibration Dose Value (VDV)(m.s-1.75)
    OperatorSEAT VerticalFore-AftSide-Side -
    -
    -
    5
    12>
    24
    -
    -
    -
    162.62.5
    CabFLOOR VerticalFore-AftSide-Side -
    -
    -
    7
    24>
    24
    -
    -
    -
    10.52.22.2

    Engineer's Recommendations
    Vibration Levels re Recommended Limits Recommendation Vertical Fore-Aft Side-Side
    Well BELOW No action
    BELOW Possible action indicated
    Just at Limits Review exposure conditions
    Well ABOVE Immediate action indicated


    Noise - Evaluation Procedure

    Australian / New Zealand Standard AS/NZ 1269 - 1998
    Note: Compliance with the above Standards does not of itself confer immunity from legal obligations.

    Company: ABC Pty Ltd Vehicle ID: Fork Lift (Unit 27)
    Test Date: 23.9.98 Operator Name: Steeve Himself
    Time: morning shift Typical Daily Exposure: 8 hours
    Test Details: Dispatch Area, Noise Levels in Operator Cab at Ear Level
    Test Conditions: Typical working conditions
    Test Engineer:   Signature:  

    Summary of Results
    Activity Measured Noise LevelLAeq,Ti (dB(A)) Pascal Squared Value(Pa2) Exposure Duration Ti (Hours) Partial Exposure EA,Ti(Pa2h) Partial Noise ExposureLevel (LAeq,8h) (dB(A))
    1 (idling) 74.70 0.01 1.50 0.02 67.4
    2 (load/unload) 90.30 0.43 5.00 2.14 88.3
    3 (travel) 89.80 0.38 0.50 0.19 77.8
    4 (Rest) 65.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 56.0

    Total Duration of Exposure (T) 8.00 Hours
    Total Noise Exposure (EA,T) 2.35 Pa2h
    Average Noise Level, LAeq, 10h 88.7 dB(A)
    Normalised Noise Exposure Level, LAeq, 8h 88.7 dB(A)
    Adjustment for Extended Workshift 0 dB(A)
    Adjusted Normalised Noise Exposure Level, LAeq, 8h 88.7 dB(A)
    Maximum Allowable Period of Exposure, Based on 85 dB(A) 3.4 Hours
    Class of Hearing Protection Required 1  

    Engineer's Recommendations
    Noise Levels re 85dBA Activity 1 Activity 2 Activity 3 Activity 4
    No action
    Possible action indicated