Noise measurements: protect your employees against noise
Noise-induced hearing loss and hearing damage are among the most common occupational diseases in Belgium. In addition to the temporary or permanent impairment of hearing, it can lead to loss of concentration, stress and an increased risk of work accidents. A professional noise measurement allows you to take measures that really work.
Identify noise exposure in your company and take suitable measures.
Request more information.
Why choose noise measurements?
- At what point does noise become a nuisance or harmful? Measurements provide clarity about noise exposure in your workplace.
- You can then introduce short- and long-term preventive measures as part of your overall risk prevention plan.
What are noise measurements?
Depending on your specific needs, our experts can measure your employees’ individual noise doses, draw up a noise map or work out the noise emissions from various sources. Based on a frequency analysis, they will recommend suitable measures such as hearing protection.
Noise levels pose a risk from 80 decibels
You must wear personal hearing protection when average noise levels exceed 80 dB(A) or peak noise levels exceed 135 dB(C).
How does Mensura help in practice?
We draw up a list of the different noise sources in your workplace.
We perform various measurements to objectively define specific parameters. These might include individual measurements or measurements at the various noise sources, including a frequency analysis.
We draw up a detailed report, including a noise map (if relevant).
We suggest short- and long-term preventive measures to reduce or even eliminate noise exposure in your work environment.
The measurements were carried out as agreed, followed by a clear and practical advisory report.
Ruddi Sleurs
Bewel
of occupational diseases are caused by noise.
In Belgium, noise-related hearing loss ranks fifth among occupational diseases. Noise-induced hearing loss can also lead to reduced concentration, stress or increased risk of work accidents, as employees are less able to detect alarm signals in noisy environments.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a noise measurement take?
It varies from 1 to 8 hours. Everything depends on how the measurements are organised: do we draw up a general noise map or determine the exposure per employee using dosimeters? For dosimetry, the key price parameters are the size of the workplace and the number of employees.
Is noise measurement a legal requirement?
It all depends on your risk assessment. If this shows that your employees are (or could be) exposed to noise during their work, your internal or external risk prevention service must determine the exposure level based on a noise measurement.
In some cases, your noise measurement may also need updating. This is the case when there are changes to your work environment, such as new processes, working methods, machinery or materials, or a different building. All these things can affect noise levels.
How much does a noise measurement cost?
The cost depends on the number of measurements and is therefore tailored to your organisation. Contact us for a quotation.
At what level does noise become harmful?
Noises above 80 decibels (dB(A)) pose a risk. If the average noise level exceeds 85 dB(A) or there are peak noise levels above 137 dB(C), your employees must wear personal hearing protection.
Is a noise map sufficient to protect each individual employee against noise?
No. A noise map shows the noise level in specific zones, but not the noise to which each individual employee is exposed. To get a better idea of this, we use dosimeters. We attach the measuring device close to the employee’s ear, enabling us to monitor noise exposure for an entire workday or shift.
Based on the analysis of the measured values, you can then provide hearing protection at individual, job or team level.
In short, a noise map is a useful tool for your internal risk prevention advisor, but it’s not enough for you to be able to protect every individual employee against noise with the right measures.
How long does a noise measurement take?
It varies from 1 to 8 hours. Everything depends on how the measurements are organised: do we draw up a general noise map or determine the exposure per employee using dosimeters? For dosimetry, the key price parameters are the size of the workplace and the number of employees.
Is noise measurement a legal requirement?
It all depends on your risk assessment. If this shows that your employees are (or could be) exposed to noise during their work, your internal or external risk prevention service must determine the exposure level based on a noise measurement.
In some cases, your noise measurement may also need updating. This is the case when there are changes to your work environment, such as new processes, working methods, machinery or materials, or a different building. All these things can affect noise levels.
How much does a noise measurement cost?
The cost depends on the number of measurements and is therefore tailored to your organisation. Contact us for a quotation.
At what level does noise become harmful?
Noises above 80 decibels (dB(A)) pose a risk. If the average noise level exceeds 85 dB(A) or there are peak noise levels above 137 dB(C), your employees must wear personal hearing protection.
Is a noise map sufficient to protect each individual employee against noise?
No. A noise map shows the noise level in specific zones, but not the noise to which each individual employee is exposed. To get a better idea of this, we use dosimeters. We attach the measuring device close to the employee’s ear, enabling us to monitor noise exposure for an entire workday or shift.
Based on the analysis of the measured values, you can then provide hearing protection at individual, job or team level.
In short, a noise map is a useful tool for your internal risk prevention advisor, but it’s not enough for you to be able to protect every individual employee against noise with the right measures.
Mensura helps you
Mensura offers a variety of products and services to boost well-being and health and safety in your organisation. From the legally required to the incredibly useful.