Exposure to loud noise is a significant health and safety burden and is costly for employers. Noise related hearing loss has been one of the most predominant occupational health concerns in the United States for nearly three decades where an estimated 30 million workers are exposed to hazardous noise every year. In addition, exposure to loud noise can negatively affect heart health, mental health, job productivity, and can increase workplace accidents and injuries. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has recommended that all worker exposures to noise should be controlled below a level equivalent to 85 dBA for eight hours to minimize occupational noise induced hearing loss.
General Information
- Infographic: How Loud Is It?
- Fact Sheet: Occupationally-Induced Hearing Loss– NIOSH
- Preventing Occupational Hearing Loss: A Practical Guide– NIOSH
- Your Guide to Prevention of Hearing Loss from Noise– Better Hearing Institute
Evaluating Noise Exposure
- Assessing and Controlling Noise Risks– Healthy Working Lives
- Evaluating Noise Exposure– OSHA
*Small businesses may contact OSHA’s free On-site Consultation services to help determine whether there are hazards at their worksites.
Reducing Noise Exposure
- Controls for Noise Exposure– NIOSH
- Good Practices: Reducing and Eliminating Noise– Healthy Working Lives
- Reducing Noise Hazards– OSHA
Sample Policy
- Occupational Noise Exposure– Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries
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