Analytical Procedures for Designing an Optimal Noise Hazard Prevention Program

Two extreme and one mixed procedures for designing a noise hazard prevention program are discussed in this paper. The two extreme design procedures (engineering-based and HPD-based) yield upper and lower bounds of the total noise control cost, respectively; while the mixed design procedure provides an optimal noise hazard prevention program within a given total budget. The upper bound of the workforce size for job rotation is approximated using a heuristic procedure. Six optimization models are developed and utilized by the mixed procedure to eliminate or reduce excessive noise levels (or noise exposures) in an industrial workplace. The mixed procedure also follows the OSHA’s hierarchy of noise control. A numerical example is given to demonstrate the application of the proposed design procedures.