CAOHC | Noise Exposure Standards

Noise Exposure Standards

by Rick Neitzel, PhD, CIH

A collection of noise exposure standards for the US and around the world (in alphabetical order). Not complete by any means; if you have information on a standard not listed here, please email me. Where available, link to the issuing agency and actual standard text is provided. "HC" denotes hearing conservation; "NC" denotes noise control; "AL" denotes action level; "HPD" denotes hearing protection devices.

Some information below taken from the AIHA Noise Manual, 5th ed. (2001)

International Standards Organization Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
International Standards Organization	ISO 1999:1990	NA	3	0	Slow	A	NA
Argentina Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
Department of Health and Security	General Regulation, Industrial, Noise and Vibration Problems	85 (HC) 90 (NC)	3		Slow	A	115 dBA max 135 dBA peak
Australia Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
Office of the Australian Safety and Compensation Council	National Code of Practice for Noise Management and Protection of Hearing at Work [NOHSC:2009(2004)], 3rd edition, June 2004 National Standard for Occupational Noise [NOHSC:1007(2000)], 2nd edition, July 2000	85	3			A	140 dBC peak
Western Australia Worksafe Safety, Health and Environment Division of Department of Industry and Resources	Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996, Part 3, Division 4, 3.45, Action Level Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995, Part 7, Division 1 - Noise Control	85 85	3 3			A A	140 dBC peak 140 dB peak
Worksafe South Australia	Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations 1995 - Division 2.10-Noise, Equivalent Continuous Level	85	3			A	140 dBC peak
New South Wales WorkCover Corp	Occupational Health & Safety Regulation 2001 - Part 4.3, Division 4 -Noise Management	85	3			A	140 dBC peak
Northern Territory NTWorkSafe	Work Health (Occupational Health and Safety) Regulations Part 7, Division 2, Section 56 - Noise	85	3			A	140 dB peak
Queensland Department of Employment, Training, and Industrial Relations: Workplace Health and Safety	Part 10 Noise: Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 1997 [Noise 1999 (SL359 1998)]	85	3			A	140 dBC peak
Workplace Standards Tasmania, Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources	Workplace Health and Safety Regulations 1998 (S.R. 1998, No. 152) Part 4, Div 4 - Noise	85	3			A	140 dBC peak
Victorian Workcover Authority	Occupational Health and Safety (Noise) Regulations 2004	85	3			A	140 dBC peak
Austria Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
	European Union Directive 2003/10/EC, to be implemented into regulations by April 2006	80 (Lower Action Level, daily: training, information, voluntary use of HPDs) 85 (Upper Action Level, daily: NC, HPD use) 87 (Exposure Limit with or without HPDs, daily and/or weekly: NC, HPD use) Daily or weekly limits	3			A	135 dBC (Lower Action Level) 137 dBC (Upper Action Level) 140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection) Daily or weekly limits
Belgium Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
	European Union Directive 2003/10/EC, to be implemented into regulations by April 2006	80 (Lower Action Level, daily: training, information, voluntary use of HPDs) 85 (Upper Action Level, daily: NC, HPD use) 87 (Exposure Limit with or without HPDs, daily and/or weekly: NC, HPD use) Daily or weekly limits	3			A	135 dBC (Lower Action Level) 137 dBC (Upper Action Level) 140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection) Daily or weekly limits
Brazil Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
Ministry of Work and Employment/Fundacentro,	NR 15 - Security and Health ofWork, Annexes 1 and 2, n°3.214/1978	85 (HC)	5		Slow	A	115 dBA max 130 dB peak
Canada Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
Federal Labour Operations, Human Resources Development Canada	Canada Labour Code, Part II, (R.S.C. 1985, c. L-2) Canada Occupational Safety and Health Regulations, (SOR/86-304), Section 7.4(1)(b)	87	3	0 or at or below 74		A	120 dBA max
Workers Compensation Board of Alberta	Occupational Health and Safety Code 2006 Part 16, Noise Exposure and Schedule 3, Table 1	85	3	80 or 0	Slow	A	115 dBA
Worksafe British Columbia	Worker's Compensation Act Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (BC Reg 296/97 as amended) Part 7.2 [B.C. Reg. 382/2004, s.1] Daily Exposure Limit	85	3	0 or at or below 80	Slow	A	140 dBC peak
Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Division	Workplace Safety and Health Regulations (Man. Reg. 217/2006) Part 12	85	3	80	Slow	A
New Brunswick Workplace Health Safety and Compensation Commission	General Regulation (N.B reg. 91-191 as amended) Part V, Section 29	85	3	80	Slow	A	140 dB peak
Newfoundland Workplace Health Safety and Compensation Commission	Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (C.N.R. 1165/96) Section 50	85	3	80		A	140 dBC peak
Northwest Territories, Canada Government (also covers Nunavut)	General Safety Regulations (RRNWT 1990, c. S-1, R-028-93 as amended) Section 30 and 31	85	5			A	115 dBA max 140 dB peak
Nova Scotia Department of Labour
Ontario Ministry of Labour	Occupational Health and Safety Act (R.S.O. 1990, c.1) Industrial Establishments (R.R.O. 1990, Reg 851) Section 139	85	3			A
Prince Edward Island Occupational Health and Safety Agency	Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (E.C. 180/87) Part 8, Section 8.1	85	3			A	140 dB peak
Quebec CSST	Act Respecting Occupational Health and Safety [R.S.Q., c.2.1] Regulation respecting Occupational Health and Safety, S-2.1,r.19.01_A	90	5	85		A	115 dBA max 140 dB peak
Saskatchawan Department of Labour	Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996, O-1.1 Reg 1, Section 99	85
Yukon Territories Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board	Occupational Health Regulation (O.I.C. 1986/164) Section 4	85	3			A	103 dBA max 140 dB peak
Chile Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
		85	5		Slow	A	115 dBA max 140 dB peak
China Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
		70-90 depending on industry	3		Slow	A	115 dBA max
Cyprus Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
	European Union Directive 2003/10/EC, to be implemented into regulations by April 2006	80 (Lower Action Level, daily: training, information, voluntary use of HPDs) 85 (Upper Action Level, daily: NC, HPD use) 87 (Exposure Limit with or without HPDs, daily and/or weekly: NC, HPD use) Daily or weekly limits	3			A	135 dBC (Lower Action Level) 137 dBC (Upper Action Level) 140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection) Daily or weekly limits
Czech Republic Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
	European Union Directive 2003/10/EC, to be implemented into regulations by April 2006	80 (Lower Action Level, daily: training, information, voluntary use of HPDs) 85 (Upper Action Level, daily: NC, HPD use) 87 (Exposure Limit with or without HPDs, daily and/or weekly: NC, HPD use) Daily or weekly limits	3			A	135 dBC (Lower Action Level) 137 dBC (Upper Action Level) 140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection) Daily or weekly limits
Denmark Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
	European Union Directive 2003/10/EC, to be implemented into regulations by April 2006	80 (Lower Action Level, daily: training, information, voluntary use of HPDs) 85 (Upper Action Level, daily: NC, HPD use) 87 (Exposure Limit with or without HPDs, daily and/or weekly: NC, HPD use) Daily or weekly limits	3			A	135 dBC (Lower Action Level) 137 dBC (Upper Action Level) 140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection) Daily or weekly limits
Estonia Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
	European Union Directive 2003/10/EC, to be implemented into regulations by April 2006	80 (Lower Action Level, daily: training, information, voluntary use of HPDs) 85 (Upper Action Level, daily: NC, HPD use) 87 (Exposure Limit with or without HPDs, daily and/or weekly: NC, HPD use) Daily or weekly limits	3			A	135 dBC (Lower Action Level) 137 dBC (Upper Action Level) 140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection) Daily or weekly limits
European Union Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work	Directive 86/188/EEC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to noise at work Effective Jan 1990; repealed Feb 2006	85 (HC) 90 (NC)	3		Slow	A	140 dBC peak
European Union	Directive 2003/10/EC on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (noise) Effective 6 April 2006	80 (Lower Action Level, daily: training, information, voluntary use of HPDs) 85 (Upper Action Level, daily: NC, HPD use) 87 (Exposure Limit with or without HPDs, daily and/or weekly: NC, HPD use) Daily or weekly limits	3			A	135 dBC (Lower Action Level) 137 dBC (Upper Action Level) 140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection) Daily or weekly limits
Finland Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
	European Union Directive 2003/10/EC, to be implemented into regulations by April 2006	80 (Lower Action Level, daily: training, information, voluntary use of HPDs) 85 (Upper Action Level, daily: NC, HPD use) 87 (Exposure Limit with or without HPDs, daily and/or weekly: NC, HPD use) Daily or weekly limits	3			A	135 dBC (Lower Action Level) 137 dBC (Upper Action Level) 140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection) Daily or weekly limits
France Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
	European Union Directive 2003/10/EC, to be implemented into regulations by April 2006	80 (Lower Action Level, daily: training, information, voluntary use of HPDs) 85 (Upper Action Level, daily: NC, HPD use) 87 (Exposure Limit with or without HPDs, daily and/or weekly: NC, HPD use) Daily or weekly limits	3			A	135 dBC (Lower Action Level) 137 dBC (Upper Action Level) 140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection) Daily or weekly limits
Germany Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
	European Union Directive 2003/10/EC, to be implemented into regulations by April 2006	80 (Lower Action Level, daily: training, information, voluntary use of HPDs) 85 (Upper Action Level, daily: NC, HPD use) 87 (Exposure Limit with or without HPDs, daily and/or weekly: NC, HPD use) Daily or weekly limits	3			A	135 dBC (Lower Action Level) 137 dBC (Upper Action Level) 140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection) Daily or weekly limits
Greece Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
	European Union Directive 2003/10/EC, to be implemented into regulations by April 2006	80 (Lower Action Level, daily: training, information, voluntary use of HPDs) 85 (Upper Action Level, daily: NC, HPD use) 87 (Exposure Limit with or without HPDs, daily and/or weekly: NC, HPD use) Daily or weekly limits	3			A	135 dBC (Lower Action Level) 137 dBC (Upper Action Level) 140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection) Daily or weekly limits
Hungary Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
	European Union Directive 2003/10/EC, to be implemented into regulations by April 2006	80 (Lower Action Level, daily: training, information, voluntary use of HPDs) 85 (Upper Action Level, daily: NC, HPD use) 87 (Exposure Limit with or without HPDs, daily and/or weekly: NC, HPD use) Daily or weekly limits	3			A	135 dBC (Lower Action Level) 137 dBC (Upper Action Level) 140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection) Daily or weekly limits
India Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
	Rules of the Factories Act	90			Slow	A	115 dBAmax 140 dBApeak
Ireland Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
	European Union Directive 2003/10/EC, to be implemented into regulations by April 2006	80 (Lower Action Level, daily: training, information, voluntary use of HPDs) 85 (Upper Action Level, daily: NC, HPD use) 87 (Exposure Limit with or without HPDs, daily and/or weekly: NC, HPD use) Daily or weekly limits	3			A	135 dBC (Lower Action Level) 137 dBC (Upper Action Level) 140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection) Daily or weekly limits
Israel Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
		85	5		Slow	A	115 dBA max 140 dBC peak
Italy Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
	European Union Directive 2003/10/EC, to be implemented into regulations by April 2006	80 (Lower Action Level, daily: training, information, voluntary use of HPDs) 85 (Upper Action Level, daily: NC, HPD use) 87 (Exposure Limit with or without HPDs, daily and/or weekly: NC, HPD use) Daily or weekly limits	3			A	135 dBC (Lower Action Level) 137 dBC (Upper Action Level) 140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection) Daily or weekly limits
Japan Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
Labour Standard Bureau	Industrial Safety and Health Law No 57, Article 88 Guidelines for the Prevention of Noise-Induced Impairments (1992)	90 85 (HC) 85 (NC)	3	80	Slow	A
Latvia Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
	European Union Directive 2003/10/EC, to be implemented into regulations by April 2006	80 (Lower Action Level, daily: training, information, voluntary use of HPDs) 85 (Upper Action Level, daily: NC, HPD use) 87 (Exposure Limit with or without HPDs, daily and/or weekly: NC, HPD use) Daily or weekly limits	3			A	135 dBC (Lower Action Level) 137 dBC (Upper Action Level) 140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection) Daily or weekly limits
Lithuania Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
	European Union Directive 2003/10/EC, to be implemented into regulations by April 2006	80 (Lower Action Level, daily: training, information, voluntary use of HPDs) 85 (Upper Action Level, daily: NC, HPD use) 87 (Exposure Limit with or without HPDs, daily and/or weekly: NC, HPD use) Daily or weekly limits	3			A	135 dBC (Lower Action Level) 137 dBC (Upper Action Level) 140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection) Daily or weekly limits
Luxembourg Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
	European Union Directive 2003/10/EC, to be implemented into regulations by April 2006	80 (Lower Action Level, daily: training, information, voluntary use of HPDs) 85 (Upper Action Level, daily: NC, HPD use) 87 (Exposure Limit with or without HPDs, daily and/or weekly: NC, HPD use) Daily or weekly limits	3			A	135 dBC (Lower Action Level) 137 dBC (Upper Action Level) 140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection) Daily or weekly limits
Malaysia Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
Ministry of Human Resources, Department of Occupational Safety and Health	Factory and Machinery Act (Noise Exposure) Regulation 1989	85 (HC) 90 (NC)	5	80		A	115 dBA ceiling 140 dB peak
Malta Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
	European Union Directive 2003/10/EC, to be implemented into regulations by April 2006	80 (Lower Action Level, daily: training, information, voluntary use of HPDs) 85 (Upper Action Level, daily: NC, HPD use) 87 (Exposure Limit with or without HPDs, daily and/or weekly: NC, HPD use) Daily or weekly limits	3			A	135 dBC (Lower Action Level) 137 dBC (Upper Action Level) 140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection) Daily or weekly limits
Netherlands Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
	European Union Directive 2003/10/EC, to be implemented into regulations by April 2006	80 (Lower Action Level, daily: training, information, voluntary use of HPDs) 85 (Upper Action Level, daily: NC, HPD use) 87 (Exposure Limit with or without HPDs, daily and/or weekly: NC, HPD use) Daily or weekly limits	3			A	135 dBC (Lower Action Level) 137 dBC (Upper Action Level) 140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection) Daily or weekly limits
New Zealand Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
Occupational Safety and Health Service	Health and Safety in Employment Regulations 1995 - Regulation 11 (Noise)	85 (HC)	3		Slow	A	115 dBA max 140 dB peak
Norway Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
	Norwegian standard NS 4814 Norwegian standard NS 4815	85 (HC, general industry) 70 (sensitive communications) 55 (critical communications) 83 (offshore, 12-hr exposure) 90 (on board vessels)	3		Slow	A	110 dBA fast max or 120 dBA fast max 130 dBC peak
Poland Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
	European Union Directive 2003/10/EC, to be implemented into regulations by April 2006	80 (Lower Action Level, daily: training, information, voluntary use of HPDs) 85 (Upper Action Level, daily: NC, HPD use) 87 (Exposure Limit with or without HPDs, daily and/or weekly: NC, HPD use) Daily or weekly limits	3			A	135 dBC (Lower Action Level) 137 dBC (Upper Action Level) 140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection) Daily or weekly limits
Portugal Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
	European Union Directive 2003/10/EC, to be implemented into regulations by April 2006	80 (Lower Action Level, daily: training, information, voluntary use of HPDs) 85 (Upper Action Level, daily: NC, HPD use) 87 (Exposure Limit with or without HPDs, daily and/or weekly: NC, HPD use) Daily or weekly limits	3			A	135 dBC (Lower Action Level) 137 dBC (Upper Action Level) 140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection) Daily or weekly limits
Singapore Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
Department of Industrial Health	Factories (Noise) regulations, 1996 (S372/96) eff 1 Jan 1997 Hearing Conservation Programme Guidelines	85 (HC) 90 (NC) (if more than 50 people exposed)	3			A	140 dBA peak
Slovakia Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
	European Union Directive 2003/10/EC, to be implemented into regulations by April 2006	80 (Lower Action Level, daily: training, information, voluntary use of HPDs) 85 (Upper Action Level, daily: NC, HPD use) 87 (Exposure Limit with or without HPDs, daily and/or weekly: NC, HPD use) Daily or weekly limits	3			A	135 dBC (Lower Action Level) 137 dBC (Upper Action Level) 140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection) Daily or weekly limits
Slovenia Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
	European Union Directive 2003/10/EC, to be implemented into regulations by April 2006	80 (Lower Action Level, daily: training, information, voluntary use of HPDs) 85 (Upper Action Level, daily: NC, HPD use) 87 (Exposure Limit with or without HPDs, daily and/or weekly: NC, HPD use) Daily or weekly limits	3			A	135 dBC (Lower Action Level) 137 dBC (Upper Action Level) 140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection) Daily or weekly limits
South Africa Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
Department of Labour	Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993;Environmental Regulations for Workplaces, 1987, Noise and Hearing Conservation (from SABS 083-1983)	85 (HC) 85 (NC)					135 dBA peak
Spain Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
	European Union Directive 2003/10/EC, to be implemented into regulations by April 2006	80 (Lower Action Level, daily: training, information, voluntary use of HPDs) 85 (Upper Action Level, daily: NC, HPD use) 87 (Exposure Limit with or without HPDs, daily and/or weekly: NC, HPD use) Daily or weekly limits	3			A	135 dBC (Lower Action Level) 137 dBC (Upper Action Level) 140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection) Daily or weekly limits
Sweden Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
	European Union Directive 2003/10/EC, to be implemented into regulations by April 2006	80 (Lower Action Level, daily: training, information, voluntary use of HPDs) 85 (Upper Action Level, daily: NC, HPD use) 87 (Exposure Limit with or without HPDs, daily and/or weekly: NC, HPD use) Daily or weekly limits	3			A	135 dBC (Lower Action Level) 137 dBC (Upper Action Level) 140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection) Daily or weekly limits
Switzerland Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
		85 or 87	3		Slow	A	125 dBA max 140 dBC peak
Thailand Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
Ministry of the Interior		80 (AL) 90				A
United Kingdom Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
Health and Safety Executive	Statutory Instrument 2005 No. 1643 The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005	80 (Lower Action Level, daily: training, information, voluntary use of HPDs) 85 (Upper Action Level, daily: NC, HPD use) 87 (Exposure Limit with or without HPDs, daily and/or weekly: NC, HPD use) Daily or weekly limits	3			A	135 dBC (Lower Action Level) 137 dBC (Upper Action Level) 140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection) Daily or weekly limits
United States Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists	Threshold Limit Value© for Noise	85	3	80	Slow	A	140 dBC peak
American National Standards Institute	S3.44-1996	NA	3 or 5	0	Slow	A	NA
California Occupational Safety and Health Administration	CCR Title 8, Chapter 4, Subchapter 7, Group 15, Article 105, Permissible Exposure Limit	85 (HC) 90 (NC)	5	80 (HC)	Slow	A	115 dBA max 140 dB peak
Federal Railroad Administration	Locomotive Cab Noise (49 CFR 229.121)	90	5		Slow	A	115 dBA max
Mine Safety and Health Administration	Permissible Exposure Limit (30 CFR) 62.0 (Uniform Mine Health Regulations)	85 (HC) 90 (NC) Dual HPDs above 105 dBA	5	80 (HC) 90 (NC)	Slow	A	115 dBA max
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health	Recommended Exposure Limit (DHHS Pub 98-126)	85	3	80	Slow or Fast	A	140 dB peak
Occupational Safety and Health Administration	Permissible Exposure Limit for General Industry (29 CFR 1910.95)	90 (NC) 85 (HC)	5	80 (HC) 90 (NC)	Slow	A	115 dBA max 140 dB peak (advisory)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration	Permissible Exposure Limit for Construction (29 CFR 1910.95)	90	5	90	Slow	A	115 dBA max 140 dB peak (advisory)
Washington Industrial Safety and Health Administration	Pemissible Exposure Limit (WAC 296-817)	85 90 (NC)	5	80 (HC)	Slow	A	115 dBA max 140 dBC peak
US Coast Guard	Recommendations On Control of Excessive Noise (1982) [NVIC 12-82]	Leff(24) 82 (NC) Leff(24) 77 (HC) (note: these are 24-hour average levels) HPDs for exposure >85 dBA HC program for routine exposure >85 dBA	5	80	Slow	A	115 dBA max 140 dB peak
US Military	DoD Instruction 6055.12, Hearing Conservation Program, 2004	85	3 (USAF, USAR) or 4 (USN)	80	Slow	A	140 dBA peak
Uruguay Back to Top
Government/ Issuing Agency	Exposure Standard	Criterion Level (dB)	Exchange Rate (dB)	Threshold Level (dB)	Response Time	Weighting	Ceiling Levels
		90	3		Slow	A	110 dBA max

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