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conoco Interoffice Communication To : A. H. Sather From : J. V. Uptain Date : 6/15/82 Subject : NOISE CONTROL REPORT AND PLAN The status of the Aberdeen noise control program is as follows: I. EXPOSURE LEVELS A. Noise Dosimetry In-plant noise dosimetry samples are taken, using the "db-301 Metrologger", made by Metrosonics, Inc. The work is done under the guidance of the Medical Department, using their equipment. The results of the 1982 survey are: Job Class Tot, Samples Average (% of PEL) (% of PEL) Overexposures of Maintenance Helpers 2 61 37-84 General Mech. 10 87 2-71 Paint er/Carp. 1 4 4 0 0 0 Laboratory Lab Techs. Lead Techs. 2 1 16 1 5-27 6 0 0 Dry Blend Utilities 2 39 33-45 0 Compound Compound Oper. 5 95 53-129 40 Compound Util. 2 92 86-98 0 Vinyl Reactors Reactor Oper. 6 47 30-65 0 Vinyl Dryers Dryer Oper. 7 43 31-60 0 Dryer Util. 2 122 107-136 100 VAB.0001030693 A. H. Sather 6/15/82 Noise Control Report & Plan Page 2 The data clearly shows that Compound Operators who work near dicers and Vinyl Utilities tend to have noise exposures that exceed the permissible exposure limit. The use of hearing protection, by those workers is generally good, but needs more emphasis. B. Noise Surveys Plant noise surveys are now conducted under the auspices of the Medical Department. The last such survey was conducted by G. Warren during April, 1982. That work included studies of high noise level areas, the establishment of 85 and 90 dBA noise level "contours", and property line noise level measurements. Mr. WarrenTs final report is expected to be issued by July 1. The surveys conducted by the Medical Department are augmented, as needed, by spot checks made by Aberdeen plant personnel. In addi tion to a General Radio 1565-B sound level meter, the plant owns an Ivie Electronics 1E-30A Audio Analyzer. This instrument is used for noise frequency analysis, as required. II. NOISE ABATEMENT A. Line 3 Resin Charge Vacuum Pump The sound level within the immediate vicinity of this pump is 100 dBA while the pump is running. By this memo. Process Engineering is requested to specify the silencing equipment necessary to re duce the noise to acceptable levels and to write a work order for installation of the equipment as a project of the "Miscellaneous Projects under $10,000" AFE. B. 1982 Capital Budget Item A-ll This $37,000 project provides for the installation of intake silencers, discharge silencers, and inlet filters for six plant blowers identified as noise sources during 1981. By this memo, Mechanial Engineering is requested to procure and install the outstanding balance of the equipment specified for the project. C. 1983 Capital Budget Noise projects under consideration for 1983 capital budgeting include: 1. North Fire Pump House Better silencers are required for each of the four fire pump VAB.0001030694 A. H. Sather 6/15/82 Noise Control Report & Plan C. 1983 Capital Budget (Continued) diesel engines to reduce the noise to acceptable levels. These engines are high noise producers both inside and outside the plant. Citizens have complained of them. 2. Evacuation Steam Ejectors Noise levels three feet away from the D-700 and D-745 evacua tion steam ejector stack discharges amount to 110 dBA. Process Engineering and G. Warren are currently defining the silencing equipment required to reduce the noise to acceptable levels. 3. Fluid Bed Dryer The equipment making up the new fluid bed dryer unit does not operate within the noise generation limitations included with in the original specification put out for bid. The money necessary to correct these deficiencies is being considered for inclusion in the 1983 Capital Budget should Niro fail to correct them. III. AUDIOMETRY Hearing tests are conducted on each employee on an annual basis using the services of a contract health monitoring van. During testing, the van is parked in front of the plant, under the noise shadow of the east warehouse, to provide the low, hearing booth noise levels required for successful audiometry work. The success of this practice was proven during the last van visit by taking noise level measurements inside the hearing booth, using the IE-3GA Audio Analyzer mentioned in IB above. Baseline audiograms will be completed as required by the end of August, 1982. IV. PERSONNEL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND WARNING SIGNS Employees working in high noise areas are required to use approved hear ing protection, normally ear plugs. Compliance is generally good, al though more emphasis is needed with Compound Operators and Vinyl Utili^ties (see IA above). VAB.0001030695 A. H. Sather 6/15/82 Noise Control Report & Plan Page 4 IV. PERSONNEL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND WARNING SIGNS (Continued) Warning signs are posted in locations where such protection has been required. It is anticipated that the noise level contouring work (see IB above) will show a need for sign changes in certain areas, an example being the fluid bed dryer area. This evaluation will be made at the time the noise report is received from Medical Division. rah VAB.0001030696