laws and regulations

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.

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.

Decibels	Duration	Machine
110 dB	immediate	stud gun, circular saw, electric hand drill
100 dB	5 min	grinder, leaf blower, motorcycling (100 km/h)
90 dB	1 hour	drum kit, cutting torch, bulldozer
80 dB	8 hours	vacuum cleaner, city traffic
70 dB	> 8 hours	blender, shaver, car, busy office
60 dB	–	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.
If the noise level exceeds 87 decibels, measures must be taken to reduce it.
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.