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Exposure to noise whether at home or at work can cause permanent, irreversible damage to your hearing.
Noise induced hearing loss provides a lot of negative factors, both to the employer and the individual. First of all by human suffering, but also stress, pain, tinnitus etc can lead to social handicap. The ears are not adapted to the noise levels we are being exposed to in our every-day environment. Noise from industries, traffic and leisure noises from engines, shooting & hunting, loud music etc is damaging our hearing.
Today there are a lot of protective products available that should ensure noise induced hearing loss is totally un-necessary.
By law, the first action level is at a daily personal noise exposure of 85dB(A) during 8 hours. In this situation hearing protection should be offered. Because of individual differences, some people are more sensitive to noise than others. Therefore we recommend that the first action is taken at 80 dB(A).
The second action level is at a daily personal noise exposure of 90dB(A). In these situations hearing protection must be worn.
The peak action level means an equivalent peak sound pressure level of 140 dB(C). A situation where, for example, a gun may be fired, hearing protection must be worn.
If you are exposed to any of the above action levels without wearing hearing protection, there is a great risk that you may suffer permanent hearing damage.
Points to consider »
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| Exposure times without protection |
| Noise Level |
Duration |
Noise Level |
Duration |
85dB |
8 Hours |
115dB |
47 sec |
88dB |
4 Hours |
118dB |
28 sec |
91dB |
2 Hours |
121dB |
14 sec |
94dB |
1 Hour |
124dB |
7 sec |
97dB |
30 mins |
127dB |
3.5 sec |
100dB |
15 mins |
130dB |
1.75 sec |
103dB |
7.5 mins |
133dB |
0.875 sec |
106dB |
3.75 mins |
136dB |
0.4375 sec |
109dB |
1.875 min |
139dB |
0.21875 s |
112dB |
93 secs |
142dB |
0.109375 s |
Examples of noise
85-100dB - Light tractors & Lawnmowers, Electric hand tools, Workshop equipment, Light garden machinery
85-120dB - General manufacturing industry
100-120dB - Heavy tractors, Steel construction, Road construction, Engine rooms on ships
110-120dB - Steel works, Forestry equipment (chainsaws, saw mills), Textile industry, Paper & printing works, Concrete processing, Heavy plant (bulldozers etc.), Pneumatic drills/concrete breakers
115-130dB - Mining & quarrying
120-150dB - Airports, Jet engines, Motorsports
An increase of 3dB halves exposure times
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