Noise Exposure Calculator, UK HSE Standard
Free workplace noise exposure calculator. Enter noise levels in dB(A) and exposure durations to calculate your daily personal noise exposure (LEP,d), percentage of daily dose, and compare against OSHA PEL (90 dB), UK HSE (85 dB), and EU Directive 2003/10/EC (80/85 dB) limits.
Calculate your daily noise exposure against UK HSE limits under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. The UK uses a 3 dB exchange rate and sets action values at 80 dB(A) (lower) and 85 dB(A) (upper), with an exposure limit of 87 dB(A).
UK HSE uses the equal energy principle (3 dB exchange rate), which is more protective than the US OSHA 5 dB rule. At 88 dB(A) for 4 hours, you reach the same LEP,d as 85 dB(A) for 8 hours, requiring the same upper action value controls.
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Frequently Asked Questions, Noise Exposure Calculator in UK HSE Standard
What are the UK noise at work action values?↓
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 sets three values: Lower Exposure Action Value (LEP,d of 80 dB(A)), provide information, training, and audiometric testing on request; Upper Exposure Action Value (85 dB(A)), hearing protection mandatory, noise control measures required, designate hearing protection zones; Exposure Limit Value (87 dB(A)), no worker may be exposed at or above this level even with hearing protection.
What is the 3 dB exchange rate?↓
The 3 dB exchange rate (equal energy rule) means that every 3 dB increase in noise level halves the allowable exposure time. So 85 dB(A) is allowed for 8 hours, 88 dB(A) for 4 hours, 91 dB(A) for 2 hours. This aligns with EU Directive 2003/10/EC. OSHA uses a 5 dB rule, which is less protective.
When must I provide hearing protection to UK workers?↓
Under UK Noise Regulations, hearing protection must be made available at the lower action value (80 dB(A)) if workers request it. At the upper action value (85 dB(A)), hearing protection is mandatory. Employers must also designate hearing protection zones (signed areas) where exposure regularly exceeds 85 dB(A). Simply providing hearing protection does not remove the duty to also reduce noise by engineering controls where practicable.
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