Practical considerations for assessing crew noise exposure in armored vehicles
Rachel M van Besouw1, Laurence C Evans2, Neil D Service2
1Health and Safety Executive, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG24 9NW, United Kingdom.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|October 10, 2024
Summary
Accurately measuring armored vehicle (AV) noise exposure is crucial for crew safety and regulatory compliance. This study presents practical methods for assessing noise from AVs and communication systems to protect personnel.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Acoustics
- Military Engineering
Background:
- Noise exposure in armored vehicles (AVs) poses risks to crew hearing.
- Accurate noise assessment is needed for hearing protection and regulatory compliance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and present practical procedures for measuring and analyzing noise exposure in AV crews.
- To inform the selection of appropriate hearing protection and communication devices.
- To support compliance with occupational health and safety legislation.
Main Methods:
- Described procedures consider instrumentation, AV configuration, operational conditions, and speed thresholding.
- Methods include assessing vehicle, communication, and activity-specific noise sources.
- Noise levels were derived, including those from communication systems.
Main Results:
- Procedures were applied to an in-service tracked AV to estimate crew noise exposure.
- The presented methods balance precision, repeatability, and pragmatism.
- Measurements inform engineering, administrative, and personal protective equipment controls.
Conclusions:
- The developed procedures provide a pragmatic approach to estimating AV crew noise exposure.
- Regular noise measurements are recommended during vehicle design, pre-service, and post-modification.
- Effective noise control strategies are essential for crew well-being and operational effectiveness.
