Method for determining complex operator noise exposures

This procedure describes a field method for determining operator noise exposures that cannot be assessed from single sound level meter readings. Noise exposures that should be evaluated by this method are those characterized by time-varying operator position sound levels--sound levels that change by three decibels or more while the meter is being read. The method is based on statistical concepts and requires multiple readings for a sample period whose length is prescribed by the desired precision of the results. This new procedure compares well with the theoretical accuracy of the best dosimeters. The actual performance of the new method has been shown to be better than the actual performance of the dosimeters.