A manufacturer is planning to purchase and install a new piece of equipment. The Joint Health & Safety Committee has expressed concern over the potential impact on noise levels on the plant floor. To investigate further, the JH&SC measures the noise level at one particular spot when each existing machine is running on its own (i.e., one machine running at a time). The levels are as follows: a) 72 dBA;
b) 75 dBA; c) 81 dBA; and d) 69 dBA.
The new machine is expected to have a noise level of 77 dBA. Assuming the plant is located in Ontario, and that the machines will all run simultaneously, all day, will someone working at the point of measurement require hearing protection for an 8 h shift?
