How To Protect Your Employees from Occupational Noise Exposure

Even if your worksite doesn't sound uncomfortably loud, it may still be causing permanent hearing damage to your workers. 

That steady hum of equipment, the constant background noise that everyone just gets used to — it often sits right at the threshold where long-term exposure leads to irreversible hearing loss. Many industries are discovering this reality through workers' compensation claims, OSHA fines, and the hidden costs of reduced productivity and increased turnover.

The good news? Once you understand what truly constitutes dangerous noise exposure, protecting your team doesn't require a complete overhaul of your operations. With the right knowledge and practical strategies, you can avoid these costly pitfalls while creating a safer work environment.

When Does Noise Become Dangerous?

• Normal conversation: ~60 dB
• City traffic: ~80 dB
• Hearing protection required: 85 dB 
• Chainsaw or jackhammer: ~100 dB
• Rock concert: ~115 dB

Here's what makes this tricky: 85 dB doesn't sound overwhelmingly loud. It's roughly the noise level of a busy restaurant or heavy traffic. This means many work environments that seem "manageable" actually require hearing protection.

Practical Strategies for Protecting Workers 

1. Get an Accurate Noise Assessment First

Here's where many project supervisors make a costly mistake: trying to gauge noise levels with smartphone apps or rough estimates. These consumer-grade tools simply aren't reliable enough for workplace safety decisions or regulatory compliance.

• Accuracy varies wildly between devices and apps
• Phone microphones aren't designed for precise sound measurement
• They can't distinguish between different types of noise exposure
• No regulatory body accepts smartphone readings for compliance purposes

• Accurate baseline measurements before your project begins
• Compliance documentation that meets OSHA and local regulatory requirements
• Detailed noise mapping of your work areas throughout different operational phases
• Time-weighted averages that account for varying exposure levels throughout work shifts
• Identification of peak noise sources so you know exactly where to focus your control efforts

Professional assessments can be customized to your project timeline — from short-term spot measurements to continuous monitoring over days or weeks. 

2. Master the Hierarchy of Controls

The hierarchy of controls isn't just safety theory — it's your roadmap to cost-effective noise protection. Each level becomes progressively less effective, so start at the top and work your way down.

Level 1: Elimination

• Remove unnecessary equipment from work areas during quiet tasks
• Turn off idling equipment when not in use
• Schedule work to avoid multiple noisy operations running simultaneously
• Use remote operation for loud machinery to remove workers from the noise zone

Level 2: Substitution

• Replace pneumatic tools with electric alternatives 
• Use hydraulic equipment instead of diesel-powered machinery when possible
• Choose modern, quieter models when replacing old equipment
• Use low-noise concrete cutting methods instead of traditional jackhammers
• Select quieter compressor models for air supply needs

Level 3: Engineering Controls

This is where noise control specialists make their biggest impact. Engineering controls modify the noise at its source or along its path:

• Acoustic barriers can bring noise into an acceptable range
• Equipment enclosures contain noise at the source — especially effective for stationary machinery like generators or compressors
• Even partial enclosures can significantly reduce exposure for nearby workers

• Acoustic panels in enclosed work areas prevent noise from bouncing and amplifying
• Particularly effective in metal buildings, tunnels, or confined spaces where sound reflects off hard surfaces

• Isolating equipment from floors and structures prevents noise transmission through the building
• Rubber mounts, spring isolators, and vibration pads are often simple, cost-effective solutions

Level 4: Administrative Controls

When you can't eliminate or engineer out the noise, smart scheduling and work practices help:

• Rotate workers through high-noise areas 
• Schedule the loudest work during specific hours when fewer workers are present
• Coordinate noisy activities to avoid running multiple loud operations simultaneously in the same area

• Establish quiet zones for break areas and administrative tasks
• Position loud equipment as far from worker areas as practical
• Create noise maps of your work areas so everyone knows high-exposure zones

• Implement hand signals or visual cues in high-noise areas
• Use two-way radios instead of shouting
• Schedule meetings and briefings in quieter locations

Level 5: Personal Protective Equipment

PPE is the least reliable because it depends entirely on consistent, proper use by individual workers.

Why PPE should not be the only solution:

• Effectiveness drops dramatically with improper fit or inconsistent use
• Creates communication barriers that can increase safety risks
• Requires ongoing training, replacement, and monitoring

• Provide multiple options (foam plugs, silicone plugs, earmuffs)
• Ensure proper fit-testing for each worker
• Choose protection that allows necessary communication
• Make it easily accessible in high-noise areas

3. Choose the Right Hearing Protection

Not all hearing protection works the same for every situation:

Foam earplugs: Great for consistent, broad-spectrum noise. Cheap and disposable, but require proper insertion technique.

Silicone earplugs: More comfortable for extended wear and reusable.

Earmuffs: Easier to put on correctly and visible for compliance checking. Better for intermittent noise exposure.

Electronic hearing protection: Allows normal conversation while protecting against loud noises — ideal for environments requiring communication.

4. Make Compliance Easy

The best hearing protection program is one that workers actually follow. Here's how to increase compliance:

Train your team on why noise protection matters, not just that it's required. When workers understand that prolonged exposure to 85 dB can cause permanent hearing damage, they're more likely to take protection seriously.

Encourage communication about noise concerns. Workers often know which areas are problematic or have ideas for reducing noise levels.

Regular check-ins help identify new noise sources or areas where controls aren't working effectively.

Partner with the Professionals

At Environmental Noise Control, we've helped clients across industries develop practical noise control strategies. Our team provides comprehensive noise assessments, custom noise control solutions, and ongoing support to ensure your noise management program is working effectively. 

Whether you need a baseline noise assessment, help implementing engineering controls, or a complete noise management strategy, ENC has the expertise and equipment to support your project's success.

Need help choosing the right noise barriers for your project? Different noise sources require different barrier strategies, and factors like project timeline, site constraints, and local regulations all influence the best solution. Learn how to evaluate your options and make informed decisions in our comprehensive guide: How To Choose the Right Noise Barriers for Your Project.