RESTRICTED Document ID: SP-1010

Mar-21 Filing Key: Business Control

Petroleum Development Oman L.L.C.

Health Safety Environment & Sustainable

Development

Specification for Environmental Noise and

Vibration

User Note:

The requirements of this document are mandatory. Non-compliance shall only be authorised by
the Document Owner or his Delegate through STEP-OUT approval.

A controlled copy of the current version of this document is on PDO's EDMS. Before making
reference to this document, it is the user's responsibility to ensure that any hard copy, or
electronic copy, is current. For assistance, contact the Document Custodian or the Document
Controller.

Users are encouraged to participate in the ongoing improvement of this document by providing
constructive feedback.

Please familiarise yourself with the

Document Security Classification Definitions
They also apply to this Document!
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i Document Authorisation

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ii Revision History
The following is a brief summary of the 4 most recent revisions to this document. Details of all
revisions prior to these are held on file by the issuing department.

Version No. Date Author Scope / Remarks

Version 3.0 Jan Khalifa Al Harthy Editorial changes. New format
2009
Ref. Ind: MSE/2
Version 2.0 Jun G.T Tan Editorial changes. New format.
2002
Ref. Ind: CSM/2.
Version 1.0 Dec Original spec.
2000

iii Related Business Processes

Code Business Process (EPBM 4.0)

iv Related Corporate Management Frame Work (CMF)

Documents
The related CMF Documents can be retrieved from the Corporate Business Control
Documentation Register TAXI.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
i Document Authorisation........................................................................................................ 3
ii Revision History.................................................................................................................... 4
iii Related Business Processes................................................................................................. 4
iv Related Corporate Management Frame Work (CMF) Documents........................................4
1 Introduction........................................................................................................................... 6
1.1 Purpose........................................................................................................................... 6
1.2 Changes to the Specification........................................................................................... 6
2 Scope.................................................................................................................................... 7
2.1 Definitions........................................................................................................................ 7
2.2 Deliverables..................................................................................................................... 7
2.2.1 Records.......................................................................................................... 7
2.2.2 Reports.......................................................................................................... 7
2.3 Responsibilities................................................................................................................ 7
2.4 Performance Monitoring.................................................................................................. 8
2.5 Review and Improvement................................................................................................ 8
2.6 Reporting Format............................................................................................................. 8
2.7 Performance Standards................................................................................................... 8
2.7.1 Environmental Noise......................................................................................8
2.7.2 Vibration......................................................................................................... 9
3 Appendix............................................................................................................................. 10
3.1 Appendix 1 Maximum Noise Limits................................................................................10

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1 Introduction

1.1 Purpose
This specification describes PDO's minimum requirements for managing environmental
noise and vibration (which result from PDO’s activities, products or services) that can
potentially either be hazardous to human health or harm the environment.

Changes to the Specification

- The adoption of corporate specification template
- Updating to ensure current organisation

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2 Scope
This Specification addresses environmental noise and vibration control, and focuses on
minimising the effect on local communities and wildlife.
Occupational noise control within the workplace focuses on workforce hearing protection.
This Specification does not address occupational noise control.

2.1 Definitions
Environmental noise is a measure of sound levels immediately “outside the boundary
fence”. Standards for environmental noise are based on the premise that there are
tolerable levels of noise that can be defined, which do not present a hazard to human
health or harm the environment.
Noise levels are measured in decibels (dB), and the noise standards listed in this
Specification refer to the ‘A’ frequency rating, dB(A), which covers the range audible to
the human ear.
‘Leq’ is a measurement unit applied to an average number of decibels over a specified
period of time.

2.2 Deliverables

2.2.1 Records
Records shall be maintained to document the implementation of an environmental noise
and vibration monitoring programme (refer to CP 122 HSE Management System
Manual, Part 2 Chapter 6, for information on monitoring programmes).

2.2.2 Reports
There are no routine reporting requirements with regard to environmental noise and
vibration control. Reporting of noise monitoring results to the MRMEWR may be required
under individual permits and licences.
Any non-compliance with this Specification shall be notified, investigated and reported per
the ‘Non Compliance Report Form’ in CP 122 HSE Management System Manual, Part 2
Chapter 6.

2.3 Responsibilities

Asset Managers
Asset Managers are responsible for ensuring that environmental noise and vibration
control within their area of responsibility (including noise and vibration generated by
contractor activities) is managed in accordance with the requirements of this
Specification.
Sources of noise and vibration that have the potential to impact on local communities
and wildlife shall be:
 identified
 analysed
 quantified (either by direct measurement or using appropriate methods of
estimation)
 recorded, as appropriate (refer to Section 2.2.1)
 reported, as appropriate (refer to Section 2.2.2)
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In the event that circumstances prevent compliance with this Specification, Asset
Managers shall seek the advice and if necessary, a ‘step-out approval’ from the
Document Authority. This approval requires recording subject areas, which do not
conform as a non-compliance (refer to the ‘Non Compliance Report Form CP 122 HSE
Management System Manual, Part 2 Chapter 6).

Corporate Functional Discipline Heads

Corporate Functional Discipline Heads are responsible for ensuring that the
requirements of this Specification are reflected in the documents for which they are
responsible.

Contractors
Contractors are responsible for ensuring that environmental noise and vibration
generated in the course of carrying out their contractual requirements are managed in
accordance with the requirements of this Specification and reported, when applicable,
to the contract holder.

2.4 Performance Monitoring

An environmental noise and vibration monitoring programme shall be developed,
implemented and maintained to demonstrate compliance with this Specification, any
additional requirements specified in an Environmental Permit and to supply the
necessary data to prepare required reports (see section 2.2.2).

2.5 Review and Improvement

Any user of this document who encounters a mistake or confusing entry is requested to
immediately notify CSM using the form provided in CP 122 HSE Management System
Manual, Part 2 Chapter 3.

This specification shall be reviewed every 4 years. However changes to the current
version may be made in less than four years as the need arises depending upon the
issue of new and relevant environmental legislation and or major organisational
changes in PDO.

2.6 Reporting Format

There are no standard reporting requirements for Environmental Noise and Vibration.

2.7 Performance Standards

2.7.1 Environmental Noise

Standards for environmental noise are based on the premise that there are tolerable levels
of noise that can be defined, which do not present a hazard to human health or harm the
environment.
PDO’s standards for environmental noise are derived from environmental legislation in the
Sultanate of Oman. Ministerial Decision MD 79/94: Regulations for Noise Pollution Control
in the Public Environment, specifies sources of noise that may affect the quality of people’s
lives. MD 79/94 prescribes maximum noise limits (detailed in Appendix 1) for each of the
following noise sources:

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 Industrial plants and public works (includes power plants, E&P installations, and
sewage treatment plants)
 Road traffic
 Airports
 Aviation activities (general and commercial).

2.7.1.1 Exceeding Noise Limits

Exceeding the noise limits has the potential to cause annoyance/nuisance and may, in
some circumstances, present a risk to human health.
An exceedance shall be considered as a non-compliance with this Specification. Action
should be taken to reduce noise levels in the event of a noise limit being exceeded.

2.7.1.2 Monitoring Noise Levels

Monitoring of noise levels to assess compliance with noise standards shall be carried out in
accordance with Section 2.3. Individual licences and permits may establish standards for
noise which are more stringent than those required by this Specification, depending on
regional considerations. In these situations, the more stringent requirements shall apply.

2.7.2 Vibration
There are no specific requirements for environmental vibration. However, vibration
levels shall be minimised and be consistent with best practice.

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3 Appendix

3.1 Appendix 1 Maximum Noise Limits

Industrial Plants, Public Works and Airports
Leq, T, dB(A)
Type of District Workdays Workdays Holidays (all day) and
Workdays
11.00pm – 7.00am
7.00am – 6.00pm 6.00pm – 11.00pm
Rural, residential, 45 40 35
recreational
Suburban residential 50 45 40
Urban residential 55 50 50
Urban residential (with some 60 55 50
workshops and business)
Industrial and commercial 70 70 70
Road Traffic
Leq, T, dB(A)
Type of District Workdays Workdays Holidays (all day) and
Workdays
11.00pm – 7.00am
7.00am – 6.00pm 6.00pm – 11.00pm
Rural, residential, 60 55 50
recreational
Suburban residential 65 60 55
Urban residential 65 60 55
Urban residential (with some 65 60 55
workshops and business)
Industrial and commercial 70 65 60
Aviation Activities
Type of District LDEN,T, dB(A)1

Rural, residential, 50
recreational
Suburban residential 55
Urban residential 55
Urban residential (with some 55
workshops and business)
Industrial and commercial 60

1
“LDEN” is a measurement unit of day, evening and night levels, averaged over one year.
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