ABSTRACT
A psychometric study of noise and vibration was performed at different parts of the Caspian floating oil rigs. The analysis of 500 questionnaires received from the personnel showed that the correlation coefficients for different values, depending on the parameters of the levels, were 0.71-0.87 for noise and 0.33-0.44 for vibration. The noise levels calculated for oil workers of different professions, were: in cabins, recreation rooms and working sites 40-52, 57-63 and 73-74 dBA respectively, and the comparative vibration rate levels were 67-74, 79-85 and 90-97 dB, respectively. 273 questionnaires revealed that the acoustic conditions in the abins affected both the process of falling asleep and depth of sleep (correlation coefficients 0.88 and 0.93, respectively). Noise levels at 30-36 dBA did not cause any sleep discomfort. 84% questionnaires contained in average 3.5 complaints, with the maximum 5.2 complaints for the machine operators, and the minimum 3.2 complaints for the electricians who worked in acoustically more favorable conditions. The study proved that the psychometric and questionnaire data in 70% cases corresponded to the results of the laboratory techniques, such as audiometry, chronoreflexometry, tono- and pulsometry, electrocardiometry, etc. The research data received served a basis for noise and vibration hygienic norming in floating oil-rig sites.
