What Is Noise Dosimetry?

Noise dosimetry is the process of measuring and monitoring a worker’s exposure to noise in the workplace over a specific time period. A noise dosimeter is a small, wearable device that measures noise exposure, typically in terms of decibels (dB). The primary purpose is to assess whether noise levels in the work environment exceed acceptable limits, as defined by regulatory standards (like OSHA or MSHA).

When Should I Conduct Noise Dosimetry?

You should conduct noise dosimetry when:

• Noise levels exceed the action level: According to OSHA, the action level is 85 dBA over an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA). If workers are exposed to noise at or above this level, monitoring is required.
• You are unsure of noise exposure: If the noise levels in a work environment are unknown or if previous measurements are outdated, dosimetry is a useful tool to assess potential risks.
• Hearing protection is required: If workers need hearing protection devices, it may be a sign that noise levels are high enough to warrant dosimetry to assess exposure and determine if the protection is adequate.
• Regulatory requirements: Local laws or regulations may mandate noise exposure assessments in specific industries, such as construction or manufacturing.

How Often Should I Do Noise Dosimetry?

• Initial Testing: Noise dosimetry should be conducted when an employee is first exposed to significant noise levels (85 dBA or higher).
• Annually: If noise exposure is consistently above 85 dBA, OSHA recommends performing annual noise dosimetry to monitor ongoing exposure levels.
• Changes in Work Environment: Dosimetry should also be repeated if there are significant changes in processes or equipment that could affect noise levels.
• Post-Incident: If an employee reports hearing loss, an evaluation may be necessary to determine the impact of workplace noise exposure.

How Many Dosimeters Should I Rent?

In general, one dosimeter per employee is ideal. However, placing a dosimeter on one-two employees per work group or work area is acceptable. When selecting which employee(s) to place the dosimeter on, select an employee that would likely have the highest noise exposure. If you have multiple shifts (e.g., 8-hour or 12-hour shifts), you may need enough dosimeters to ensure continuous monitoring without interruption.

How Do I Properly Mount a Dosimeter on a Worker?

The dosimeter should be worn near the ear, typically clipped to the worker’s collar or shoulder. This ensures the device accurately captures the noise exposure at the worker’s ear. Attach the dosimeter so the microphone is unobstructed and facing outward. The device should be clipped securely so it doesn’t move during the work shift. See the photo above for an example of a properly mounted dosimeter. 

What Should I Say When an Employee Asks, “Is It Recording Me?”

Dosimeters are not designed to record conversations or any personal audio. They are solely designed to measure noise levels in the worker’s environment. The dosimeter tracks sound intensity (in decibels) and the duration of noise exposure, but it does not capture or store personal conversations.

How Long Should Employees Wear a Dosimeter?

Employees should wear the dosimeter for a full work shift to get an accurate assessment of their total noise exposure.The idea is to measure the cumulative exposure over the entire shift to ensure that workers are not exposed to hazardous noise levels.

Should Employees Wear the Dosimeter During Breaks?

In general, it’s best to wear the dosimeter for the full duration of work activities, including time spent on breaks. It’s important to capture a complete picture of what the noise exposure looks like throughout the day, including time spent on breaks and during setup and cleanup of work area. The exception to this would be if the employee plans to leave work and enter into a noisy environment (I.e.: a worker going to their car on break and playing loud music for 30 minutes).

What Environments Can Dosimeters Be Used In?

Dosimeters can be used in any environment where there is concern about excessive noise exposure, including: manufacturing and industrial environments, construction sites, transportation, warehouse environments with loud forklifts or in shipping/receiving areas, mining and oil/gas operations, entertainment (concert venues, recording studios, theaters, and music festivals, etc), and other loud work environments (airports, food processing plants, and heavy equipment rental yards, etc). The key is that dosimeters should be used in areas where noise exposure is likely to reach or exceed 85 dBA.

Can Employees Wear a Dosimeter in a Combustible Environment?

It depends on the type of dosimeter. For combustible or hazardous environments, it is crucial that you use an intrinsically safe dosimeter. Intrinsically safe devices have special protection to prevent them from causing sparks or igniting flammable gasses or dust. There are also non-intrinsically safe dosimeters. These dosimeters are perfectly acceptable to use in any non-combustible environment, but they do pose a fire or explosion risk in combustible environments. If your workplace includes potentially explosive atmospheres (e.g., oil and gas production, chemical plants, confined spaces), check with a CSS rep to ensure the dosimeter you’re using is intrinsically safe for the environment. CSS carries both intrinsically safe dosimeters (SKC NoiseCHEKs) and non-intrinsically safe dosimeters (TSI Edge 7s). 

How Can CSS Help you?

CSS can provide you noise dosimeters from the leading manufacturers like SKC and TSI. We guarantee a simplified rental experience, which means we make it easy for you to stay in compliance and keep your employees safe. Renting from us means access to the youngest fleet of rental instruments that help you maintain compliance with OSHA’s noise standards. Contact CSS today to find the right dosimeters for your workplace and ensure your employees’ safety. Contact us at (720) 303-1777 or click the link below to request a quote today: https://compliancesafetysupply.com/request-quote/

CSS: Compliance, Safety, & Supply

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CSS: Compliance, Safety, & Supply

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(720) 303-1777

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