Noise Exposure Assessment

Noise exposure assessment measures the sound levels workers are exposed to during their daily tasks.
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 set action values at 80 dB(A) and 85 dB(A) daily exposure.
The exposure limit value is 87 dB(A) taking account of hearing protection — this must not be exceeded.
Assessment requires calibrated noise monitoring equipment operated by a competent person.
Personal dosimetry worn by the worker throughout the shift gives the most accurate daily exposure data.
Many construction tasks including breaking, cutting, drilling, and piling routinely exceed 85 dB(A).
Assessment results determine which hearing protection is needed and which zones require mandatory use.
Noise assessments must be reviewed whenever work methods, plant, or processes change significantly.
Health surveillance including audiometry testing is required for workers regularly exposed above 85 dB(A).
The employer must inform workers of their noise exposure level and the hearing protection requirement.

Permanent damage	Noise-induced hearing loss is irreversible — once hearing is damaged by noise, it cannot be restored.
Legal duty	The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 require assessment, control, and health surveillance for exposed workers.
Protection selection	Accurate assessment ensures the correct hearing protection is selected — too little is dangerous, too much causes isolation.

Do

Don't

Arrange noise exposure assessments for all workers in areas with loud construction tasks
Use calibrated equipment operated by a competent person for all noise measurements
Issue personal dosimeters for a representative sample of exposed workers
Display mandatory hearing protection zone signs where exposure exceeds 85 dB(A)
Select hearing protection that reduces exposure below 87 dB(A) but not excessively
Inform workers of their assessed noise exposure level and required protection
Review assessments when work methods, plant types, or processes change on site
Enrol workers exposed above 85 dB(A) in health surveillance including audiometry
Maintain records of noise assessments, hearing protection selection, and health surveillance
Consider noise-reduction measures such as quieter plant before relying on hearing protection

DON'T guess noise levels — conduct a proper assessment with calibrated equipment
DON'T exceed the 87 dB(A) exposure limit value even with hearing protection in use
DON'T issue hearing protection without checking it provides the correct attenuation level
DON'T skip health surveillance for workers regularly exposed above 85 dB(A)
DON'T assume one assessment covers the whole project — review it when things change
DON'T rely solely on hearing protection — explore engineering noise reduction first
DON'T remove hearing protection in mandatory zones even for brief periods
DON'T forget that cumulative daily exposure includes all noisy tasks, not just the loudest
DON'T allow workers to remain unaware of their noise exposure level and its health effects
DON'T ignore early signs of hearing loss reported by workers — refer for audiometry

See also: Noise Induced Hearing Loss | Hearing Protection Selection

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