Is My Workplace Too Loud? A Practical Noise Screening Checklist

Occupational hearing loss is one of the most common — and most preventable — workplace health issues out there. You don't need certified equipment to do a first-pass check either; a browser meter and a bit of structure can tell you whether it's worth digging further.

Quick Screening Checklist

• • Can you carry out a conversation at a normal volume without shouting at an arm’s length? If you can’t, you must be dealing with something greater than 85 dB.
• • Can you feel your ears buzzing or become “full” when your day is finished? This is a definite warning sign.
• • Is it a steady noise, or does it occur in bursts of noise? These are easily overlooked, yet important as well.
• • Can you prove that you measured the sound level during the whole task cycle, or just while there was a quiet moment?
• • Are you provided with appropriate hearing protection in the noisiest areas?

OSHA and NIOSH Reference Points

• 85 dB (NIOSH): the recommended exposure limit for an 8-hour day.
• 90 dB (OSHA PEL): the legal permissible exposure limit for 8 hours in the US.
• Every +3 dB roughly halves your safe exposure time — see our 3 dB rule explainer for the full breakdown.

What to Do If Levels Are High

If your test results continue to show readings of 85 dB or above, then it is time that you undergo an accurate occupational noise assessment using calibrated equipment. Meanwhile, the cheapest and best way to deal with this problem is through hearing protection, limited exposure, and distancing from the equipment.