85 dB(A)
The 8-hour exposure action level referenced by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95 and EU Directive 2003/10/EC — the point at which monitoring and hearing protection become mandatory.
Below this level, monitoring is generally optional; above it, most jurisdictions require a documented hearing conservation program.
Millions
of workers across manufacturing, construction, mining and heavy industry are exposed to hazardous noise levels every year on the job.
Plants running stamping presses, weaving looms, compressors or pneumatic tools are consistently among the highest-risk environments.
0% reversible
Noise-induced hearing loss cannot be undone once it occurs — but with the right measurement program in place, it is almost entirely preventable.
Unlike many workplace injuries, it causes no early warning pain — regular measurement is the only reliable way to detect it in time.
Four steps from noise survey to a compliant hearing
conservation program
Sound level meter vs. noise dosimeter: which do you need？
A sound level meter tells you how loud a spot in your facility is, right now. A noise dosimeter tells you how much noise one specific worker actually received over a full shift, as they moved between areas. They answer different questions — most compliance programs end up using both, at different stages.
| Sound level meter | Noise dosimeter | |
|---|---|---|
| What it measures | Sound level at one point, at a moment in time | Cumulative personal exposure over a full shift |
| How it's used | Handheld, walked through the facility | Worn on the worker's body |
| Typical output | Leq, Lmax, octave-band spectrum | Dose %, TWA, Lex,8h, peak SPL |
| Best for | Facility surveys, spotting noisy equipment | Individual exposure records, compliance documentation |
| Standard | IEC 61672 | IEC 61252 |
Haven't surveyed your facility yet? Start with a sound level meter — it's the fastest way to find out which areas actually need closer attention. Already know which areas are loud, and need compliance records? Use dosimeters on the workers in those areas — that's the individual exposure data regulators expect to see.
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95
U.S. federal standard for occupational noise exposure and hearing conservation programs.
EU Directive 2003/10/EC
Minimum health and safety requirements for worker exposure to noise across the European Union.
ISO 9612
International methodology for measuring and estimating occupational noise exposure.
IEC 61252
Performance requirements for personal sound exposure meters (dosimeters).
IEC 61672 Class 1
Accuracy classification for precision sound level meters.
IEC 60942 Class 1
Accuracy classification for acoustic calibrators.
What noise level requires action under OSHA or EU regulations?
Most regulations set 85 dB(A) as the 8-hour exposure action level. Above this, employers are generally required to provide hearing protection, conduct regular monitoring, and enroll workers in a hearing conservation program.
What's the difference between a sound level meter reading and a personal noise dose?
A sound level meter captures the noise level at one point in time and space. A personal dosimeter is worn by the worker for a full shift, so it accounts for movement between areas, task duration, and intermittent noise — giving a true picture of individual exposure (TWA / dose %).
How often should our instruments be calibrated?
Best practice is to calibrate before and after every measurement session using a Class 1 acoustic calibrator, and to send instruments for full laboratory (traceable) calibration at least once a year.
What do LAeq, TWA and Lex,8h mean?
LAeq is the equivalent continuous sound level over a measurement period. TWA (Time-Weighted Average) and Lex,8h both normalize exposure to a standard 8-hour workday, so results from different shift lengths can be compared against the same 85 dB(A) benchmark.
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