813 Construction Worksite Safety

Excessive Noise

Every year, approximately 30 million people in the United States are occupationally exposed to hazardous noise.

Employers must have a hearing conservation program whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an eight-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 A-weighted decibels (dBA). A decibel is an expression of the relative loudness of sound in air as perceived by the human ear.

When employees are exposed to sound levels exceeding those listed in the table, administrative or engineering controls must be used. For instance, if employees are exposed to an average of 90 dBA over an 8-hour workday, then hearing protection controls must be used.

To protect workers, employers should implement a combination of engineering controls, work practice controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE) to effectively reduce or eliminate noise exposure at the job site.

• Engineering Controls
  • Install sound barriers or acoustic enclosures around noisy equipment such as compressors or generators.
  • Use quieter equipment or machinery designed with noise-reduction features.
  • Implement vibration-dampening mounts and pads to reduce equipment noise at the source.
  • Maintain tools and machinery regularly to prevent excessive noise from worn-out parts or poor lubrication.
• Work Practice Controls
  • Limit the amount of time workers spend in high-noise areas through job rotation or scheduling.
  • Establish quiet zones or designate specific times for noisy tasks to minimize overall exposure.
  • Train workers on the risks of noise exposure and the proper use of noise-reduction strategies.
  • Post warning signs in areas where noise levels exceed permissible exposure limits.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Provide workers with suitable hearing protection such as earmuffs or earplugs when noise exceeds 85 dBA.
  • Ensure PPE is properly fitted and maintained for effective protection.
  • Use dual protection (earplugs + earmuffs) in extremely loud environments (above 100 dBA).
  • Include hearing protection in the site’s PPE training and enforcement programs.

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