
Acoustics
Sorry, the interactive calculator works only with browsers that support Javascript. But you can get an idea of how noise exposure adds up as follows:
An exposure of 80 dB (the lower action Level of the Noise at Work regulations) can be reached by a continuous exposure to the following noise level and duration, during one working day:
|
Level |
Duration |
|
| 80 dB | 8 hours | |
| 83 dB | 4 hours | |
| 86 dB | 2 hours | |
| 89 dB | 1 hour | |
| 92 dB | 30 minutes | |
| 95 dB | 15 minutes | |
| 98 dB | 8 minutes | |
| 101 dB | 4 minutes | |
| 104 dB | 2 minutes |
Doubling the duration of exposure to a constant noise has the same effect on the exposure as increasing the level by 3 dB.
Relatively short breaks have little effect. In an 8
hour shift, the reduction in exposure given by a quiet break is as
follows:
| Break in 8 hr shift | dB reduction | |
| 30 minutes | 0.3 dB | |
| 50 minutes | 0.5 dB | |
| 1 hr 40 min | 1.0 dB | |
| 2 hr 20 min | 1.5 dB | |
| 3 hours | 2.0 dB |
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