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Noise controls can involve making physical changes to the equipment or to the workplace. Prevention through Design is an approach to proactively include prevention when designing work equipment, tools, operations, and spaces.Įngineering Controls: Engineering controls protect workers by removing hazardous conditions or by placing a barrier between the worker and the hazard. Substitution: Another effective action is to use a quieter alternative, such as buying quieter equipment or tools.įor elimination and substitution, consider using Prevention through Design strategies to reduce noise exposures. For example, isolating the noise does not reduce ototoxic chemical exposures in the area.Įlimination: The most effective action is to remove the source of the noise. Keep in mind all potential exposures should be considered. You might need to use a combination of actions to maximize worker protection. The hierarchy of controls groups preventative actions by how well they may reduce or remove a workplace hazard. Equipment that can produce noise levels around 85-90 dBA include:Īs noise reaches 95 dBA or more, you likely have to shout to be heard by someone 3 feet away. Exposures that average 95 dBA or higher includeĪ summary of different prevention strategies based on the hierarchy of controls is provided below. Sounds that are 85 dBA often require you to raise your voice to be heard by someone 3 feet away. NIOSH developed the NIOSH Sound Level Meter app to help measure sound levels with a mobile iOS device.
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You can check the noise level using a sound level meter. Although the NIOSH REL is based on exposure for eight hours, everyone differs in their susceptibility to noise. Workers who are exposed to noise at or above the NIOSH REL are at risk of developing significant hearing loss over their working lifetime. NIOSH established a recommended exposure limit (REL) of 85 A-weighted decibels (dBA) averaged over an eight-hour workday. Take Precautions When Noise Is 85 dBA or Higher