How should multiple noise hazards be calculated?

When assessing multiple noise hazards in the workplace, the correct method used is additive calculation. This is because the total noise exposure to workers is determined by adding the individual noise levels together. Each noise source can contribute to the overall exposure level, which means that if a worker is exposed to multiple sources of noise, the cumulative effect can exceed safe exposure limits.

For example, if a worker is exposed to two different machines that each produce a noise level close to the permissible exposure limit, the total exposure can become detrimental to hearing health. Therefore, by using an additive approach, safety professionals can effectively evaluate the risks and implement necessary controls to protect workers' hearing.

Using an average value, multiplicative, or exponential methods would not provide an accurate depiction of the cumulative effects of different noise levels, which is crucial for effective safety regulation and worker protection in environments with multiple noise hazards.