Frequently Asked Questions
Noise
Where can employees get help when there is too much noise in the workplace?
What should an employer do when his employees have to work in a noisy environment?
What is the admitted noise exposure for employees?
Where can employees get help when there is too much noise in the workplace?
Employees complaining about noise, can get help from their employer, the Committee for Prevention and Protection at Work, the prevention consultant/industrial physician, or their external or internal prevention service. (top)
What should an employer do when his employees have to work in a noisy environment?
The employer is obliged to examine whether his employees are exposed to risks of noise. If required, the employer should measure the exposure level for the said noise, for example by means of person related noise level measures.
In addition, the employer must take technical and/or organisational measures to prevent or reduce the noise exposure. The most efficient way to do so, is to suppress the noise at the source. The employer may buy appliances with low noise levels, he can install silencers … This has absolute priority in the prevention hierarchy.
The employer can also interfere in the working environment. Walls can be provided with silencing panels. Noisy machines can be placed outside the working rooms. Measures can also be taken in the field of work organisation. An employer can also impose that an employee may only work in a noisy environment during a certain period of time.
Employees with a daily exposure of ≥ 80 dB(A) or peak exposure if ≥137 dB(C) are subject to health surveillance. Ear protection means must be put at their disposal, they must be informed about the risks of noise exposure and about any measures taken.
The type of individual ear protection should be selected with the utmost care. The prevention consultant/industrial physician and the Committee for Prevention and Protection at Work (if any) must previously give their advice regarding this matter.
Furthermore, there are comfort standards (not stipulated by law) that should be considered good practice. It is for example often said that the noise level is best kept under 55 dB(A) when carrying out tasks that require the highest concentration, such as working with computer programmes, intellectual work ,... (top)
What is the admitted noise exposure for employees?
Exposure standards are described in dB(A) or dB(C), depending on whether the noise concerned is continuous noise or peak noise.
Employees are best not exposed to noise exceeding 80 dB(A). There are also comfort standards. It is for example often said that the noise level is best kept under 55 dB(A) when carrying out tasks that require the highest concentration, such as working with computer programmes, intellectual work,...
In case an employee is exposed to continuous noise:
- exceeding 80 dB(A) but less than 85 dB(A), the employee shall have to undergo a hearing test once every 5 years;
- between 85 dB(A) and 87 dB(A), the hearing test shall be done every 3 years;
- over 87 dB(A), the hearing test shall be done every year.
In case of too high a noise exposure (both continuous and peak exposure) the employees must be provided with individual ear protections and they must be informed about the risk of noise exposure and any measures taken. (top)
For any further information, please contact your prevention consultant-occupational physician or your regional IDEWE-IBEVE secretariat.
