Feasible engineering noise controls in General Motors Corporation

Abstract

The implementation of engineering noise controls on existing, rebuilt, and new equipment must take into account both technological and economic feasibility. Retro‐fitting engineering controls to existing noisy equipment on the production floor, while desirable and in some instance necessary, can have serious negative economic consequences. Costs resulting from decreased productivity, increased maintenance, frequency of replacement, and possible increased floorspace requirements are all factors which must be considered. General Motors Corporation, (GM, while pursuing the investigation and implementation of feasible engineering noise controls on existing equipment, places special emphases on the purchase of new equipment. The “General Motors Corporation Sound Level Specification for Machinery and Equipment,” Revision February 1979, specifies a maximum time‐weighted average sound level of 80 dB (A). Measurements are taken at the operator's ear location and on the measurement envelope as specified in “NMTBA Noise Measurement Techniques” Second Edition dated January 1976. GM, working in conjunction with its suppliers, has experienced considerable success in achieving feasible engineering controls through the application of the GM Purchase Specification.