Noise at Work – Are Your Ears at Risk?

Noise at Work – Are Your Ears at Risk?

Worker noise exposure is a serious risk in countless workplaces across the United States. Noise levels, which are measured in dBA, have a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 90 dBA over an eight-hour shift. That value is reduced by half for every 5 dB increase. To reduce noise exposure levels, stick to regulatory limits, and protect against hearing loss, it’s important to seek out noise monitoring from an occupational safety specialist like BDN Industrial Hygiene Consultants.

Risks of Employee Noise Exposure

Excessive noise is a major danger, and reducing noise in the workplace helps to improve worker health and safety. If you notice early signs of exposure, it’s crucial to act quickly, as the risks of continuous exposure can decrease productivity, damage workers’ hearing, or worse.

  • Noise-induced hearing loss: About 17% of adults over the age of twenty have suffered hearing loss due to high noise exposure, which permanently impacts their quality of life.
  • Tinnitus: Buzzing, ringing, or humming in the ears – called tinnitus – can be the result of excessive noise exposure, and chronic exposure can cause lasting cognitive challenges.
  • Sleep and mood disorders: In addition to hearing loss, high noise exposure can cause sleep disturbances, increased anxiety, depression, and long-term cognitive impairment.
  • Workplace hazards: Noisy machines can drown out alarms, sirens, and critical warning signals, which leads to increased risks from other equipment and situations in the facility.

Protection Against Workplace Noise Levels

Correct noise measurements and a proactive Hearing Conservation Program are the best ways to identify and implement noise control measures. Noise risks can be mitigated by employers by providing hearing protection, reducing background noise, and communicating effectively.

Personal Protective Equipment

  • Inner Earplugs
  • Outer Earmuffs

Facility Protective Equipment

  • Sound Absorbing Materials
  • Acoustic Baffles and Panels

Do You Need Noise Surveys or Noise Monitoring?

If you want to monitor and reduce noise levels in your workplace, the experienced team at BDN Industrial Hygiene Consultants is here to help. Since 1980, we’ve provided tools and surveys to gauge exposure levels and help employers adhere to OSHA noise regulations. Whether you’re concerned about noisy equipment or you need guidance to pick effective hearing protection, we can help you reduce noise exposure and limit noise levels to safe, regulated levels. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us today to schedule a thorough noise map and complete survey of your facility’s noise sources.