Exposure to Noise in the Workplace and From Everyday Situations
Deafness at Work specialist solicitor Ben Mitchell highlights some of the situations where noise levels may cause you to suffer hearing loss.
It is widely known and accepted that continuous exposure to high noise levels will result in hearing loss.
Noise-induced hearing loss can be caused by a one-time exposure to an extremely loud sound or by exposure to sounds at high decibels over months or years.
The intensity of loudness of noise is measured in decibels (dB) and sound becomes uncomfortable at 120 dB, the threshold of discomfort is 130 dB, and that of pain is 140 dB.
Below are a few examples of sources of noise from common appliances, to tools used in employment and everyday situations to social events to give an understanding of the relative “loudness” of sound pressures in decibels.
150db – rock music peak standing close to speakers
130 db – Symphony Concert music peak
120db – rock concert
120db – pneumatic chipper
120db – riveter
110db – Air grinder, impact wrench
107db – Blast chillers and freezers (from 85db – 107db
100db – maximum volume on MP3 players.
100 db – chainsaw, pneumatic road drill standing 1 metre away.
95 db – Circular saw, jack hammers
95db – Packaging machinery (from 85db – 95db)
90 db – food processor
87db – electric drill
85db – lawnmower
80db – kerbside on a busy road
80db – Noisy peak time urban/ commercial area
80db – vacuum cleaner
60db – conversational speech
50db – quiet rural/ urban area
Just from considering the above in simplistic terms, It is believed that prolonged daily exposure to noise levels higher than 85dB will cause hearing loss.
It is clear those 85db+ examples clearly fall within the category of possible risk to anyone who uses those items or works in an environment close to where they are being used for any prolonged period of time.
Therefore a large number of workplaces such as the iron and steel industry, foundries, saw mills, textile mills, aircraft and transportation maintenance shops, food processing and packaging industries among many others are all environments where employees are at risk from Noise Induced Hearing Loss.
0800 169 1325 for a FREE initial consultation if you feel you may have been affected.