Noise at work, activity by activity

15 things that happen on a UK site and how loud they typically are, with the time at that level before a day crosses the 80, 85 and 87 dB(A) lines, the hearing protection that fits and the controls at source. Loudest first.

Add a whole day up in the free noise calculator. Also in the library: HAVS, COSHH and risk assessments.

• Piling Operations
  105 dB(A) · 85 dB(A) upper action value in 5 min · Ear defenders
• Concrete Breaking / Kango
  100 dB(A) · 85 dB(A) upper action value in 15 min · Ear defenders
• Chainsaw Operation
  100 dB(A) · 85 dB(A) upper action value in 15 min · Ear defenders
• Road Saw / Floor Saw
  100 dB(A) · 85 dB(A) upper action value in 15 min · Ear defenders
• Chop Saw / Mitre Saw
  98 dB(A) · 85 dB(A) upper action value in 24 min · Ear defenders
• Plate Compactor / Wacker
  96 dB(A) · 85 dB(A) upper action value in 38 min · Ear defenders
• Disc Cutting / Angle Grinding
  95 dB(A) · 85 dB(A) upper action value in 48 min · Ear defenders
• Impact Wrench (pneumatic)
  93 dB(A) · 85 dB(A) upper action value in 1.3 h · Ear defenders
• SDS Drilling into Concrete
  92 dB(A) · 85 dB(A) upper action value in 1.6 h · Ear defenders
• Nail Gun Operation
  92 dB(A) · 85 dB(A) upper action value in 1.6 h · Ear defenders
• Steel Erection / Bolting
  90 dB(A) · 85 dB(A) upper action value in 2.5 h · Ear defenders
• Scaffold Erection / Striking
  88 dB(A) · 85 dB(A) upper action value in 4 h · Ear defenders
• Concrete Pour with Vibrator
  85 dB(A) · 85 dB(A) upper action value in 8 h+ · Ear plugs at minimum
• MIG/Stick Welding
  82 dB(A) · 85 dB(A) upper action value in 8 h+ · Ear plugs recommended
• General Construction Activities
  78 dB(A) · 85 dB(A) upper action value in 8 h+ · None required