Workplace Noise Level and Exposure Testing

Noise level surveys are conducted using a sound level meter (SLM). Noise levels are measured throughout a workplace and recorded on a floor plan or in a report table. Noise levels above 85 decibels (dBA) require further investigation. In Ontario, it is mandatory to wear hearing protection when an employee's daily noise exposure is 85 dBA or more. If it turns out that your company has a noise problem, then a Hearing Conservation Program is recommended to protect your employees’ hearing.

Any time a process changes, it is advisable to resurvey the noise to see how it affects your employees. It is recommended that a company do a “Baseline” noise level survey if one has not been done in the past. In instances where noise levels exceed 85 dBA, it is further recommended to do a noise exposure survey.

When a noise level survey shows that noise levels exceed 85 dBA, it is recommended that a noise exposure survey be conducted. These surveys are conducted using noise exposure monitors. Employee noise exposures are measured for various work processes within a workplace. In Ontario, it is mandatory to wear hearing protection when an employee's daily noise exposure is 85 dBA or more.

Noise exposure monitoring is for the duration of the work shift. It leads to a single average noise exposure, which can be compared simply with the noise exposure standard. Noise exposure samples also include a noise versus time computer printout to see how the noise varies over the work shift.