Substitution: Another effective action is to use a quieter alternative, such as buying quieter equipment or tools.įor elimination and substitution, consider using Prevention through Design strategies to reduce noise exposures. For example, isolating the noise does not reduce ototoxic chemical exposures in the area.Įlimination: The most effective action is to remove the source of the noise. Keep in mind all potential exposures should be considered. You might need to use a combination of actions to maximize worker protection. The hierarchy of controls groups preventative actions by how well they may reduce or remove a workplace hazard. Equipment that can produce noise levels around 85-90 dBA include:Īs noise reaches 95 dBA or more, you likely have to shout to be heard by someone 3 feet away. Exposures that average 95 dBA or higher includeĪ summary of different prevention strategies based on the hierarchy of controls is provided below. Sounds that are 85 dBA often require you to raise your voice to be heard by someone 3 feet away. NIOSH developed the NIOSH Sound Level Meter app to help measure sound levels with a mobile iOS device. You can check the noise level using a sound level meter. Although the NIOSH REL is based on exposure for eight hours, everyone differs in their susceptibility to noise. Workers who are exposed to noise at or above the NIOSH REL are at risk of developing significant hearing loss over their working lifetime. NIOSH established a recommended exposure limit (REL) of 85 A-weighted decibels (dBA) averaged over an eight-hour workday.

In this review, the CAT ODB performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge on a short barrel gas-operated rifle, which is an incredibly difficult task.Take Precautions When Noise Is 85 dBA or Higher The CAT ODB represents one of the most advanced systems evaluated by PEW Science, to date. The silencer is available in two 3D-printed material options proprietary Inconel alloy and Titanium. Notably, the CAT SURGE BYPASS technology in the silencer appears to balance high flow rate behavior with superior overall signature suppression, even when over-bored for the cartridge. Its sound suppression performance on a short barrel 5.56x45mm rifle is significant. The CAT/ODB/A1/718 (CAT ODB) is a relatively compact and extremely advanced 30 caliber machine gun rated rifle silencer that exhibits significant back pressure reduction and sound signature suppression performance, for its size and caliber designation. This supplement is part of ongoing PEW Science small arm weapon system sound signature research. Both FRP and total sound signature suppression regimes are examined. This research supplement is intended to provide more information to PEW Science members with regard to specific sound signature characteristics of the tested configurations in the aforementioned reviews and to help frame objective loudness comparisons between five 30 caliber rifle silencers that use various technologies to suppress subsonic 300 BLK sound signatures. Quantifying these performance differentials is essential for characterizing hazards to the system operator and bystanders. However, certain designs may significantly outperform others in this regard.

In general, increasing gross flow rate through a silencer can significantly reduce signature suppression performance, particularly with subsonic ammunition.

Many silencers exhibit significantly different performance when using supersonic and subsonic ammunition. Their subsonic 300 BLK suppression performance provides an excellent case study comparing current rifle silencer technology. The five silencers behave differently, even despite some of them exhibiting similar performance quantified by the PEW Science Suppression Rating. The silencers in this group were selected for their relevance to the three rifle silencer technology classes: Conventional, High Flow Rate, and Hybrid Design. Five silencers evaluated by PEW Science are included in this members-only Research Supplement to examine relative First Round Pop (FRP) and overall sound signature suppression performance characteristics.

Decibel rating comparison chart