Occupational hearing loss is a serious problem. That is why the European Union places hearing loss in the highest category (III) of occupational risks. Hearing loss is a chronic condition that has a great impact on your personal life.Â
You can safely hear a sound at 80 decibels for up to eight hours a day (or 40 hours a week). But as soon as this increases, it quickly becomes dangerous. With every 3 decibels, the noise doubles and so does the impact. This means you can only hear 83 decibels for four hours a day (or 20 hours a week). Noise of 103 decibels can damage your hearing in less than five minutes. Therefore, hearing protection is necessary to reduce the impact and danger.
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Decibels |
Duration |
Machine |
110 dBÂ |
immediate |
stud gun, circular saw, electric hand drill  |
100 dBÂ |
5 min |
grinder, leaf blower, motorcycling (100 km/h)Â |
90 dBÂ |
1 hour |
drum kit, cutting torch, bulldozer |
80 dBÂ |
8 hours |
vacuum cleaner, city traffic |
70 dBÂ |
> 8 hours  |
blender, shaver, car, busy office |
60 dBÂ |
 – |
piano playing, conversation, washing machine |
Rights and obligations
- Workplaces with high noise levels (from 85 decibels) must be clearly marked. Employees are required to wear hearing protection here. From 80 decibels, employees are entitled to free hearing protection.Â
- If the noise level exceeds 87 decibels, measures must be taken to reduce it.  Â
- The RI&E pays attention to noise. It establishes the level and duration of noise and the health effects. The works council must be involved in this investigation and the measures.Â
- Information on harmful noise is mandatory. To prevent hearing damage, employees have the right to have a hearing test done by an expert.Â