Determination of Sound Exposures (DOSES): Software Manual and Implementation Guide

The Determination of Sound Exposures (DOSES) software was developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) specifically for use by mine management and safety personnel. DOSES simplifies the record-keeping and analysis associated with time-motion studies and worker noise exposures, making it easier to identify and solve noise problems. The software relies on a time-motion study that profiles the worker’s daily activities. At the same time, noise measurements are collected with a dosimeter or sound level meter (SLM). Observations about the worker’s location and tasks or other activities are recorded along with times and durations so they can later be matched up with the noise data. After the completion of a time-motion study of the worker’s daily tasks and locations (possible noise sources), which measures the worker’s noise exposures during the recorded events, the information is entered into DOSES. The program then displays information about the worker’s accumulated noise dose over time. The software gives the user the option of assessing dose relative to the NIOSH recommended exposure limit (REL), the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) permissible exposure level (PEL), or the MSHA action level (AL). The software generates a variety of interactive on-screen displays showing where, when, and how the worker’s noise dose accumulated. It also can generate customizable printed reports. These outputs can be used to highlight the tasks, locations, and times that are associated with the greatest amount of the worker’s noise exposure. Mine safety personnel can then use these reports to make decisions about how to reduce or eliminate the factors that are creating an overexposure.