Match today's jobsite to the one official page that prints its noise numbers before you rely on ear protection.
Key takeaways for jobsite noise limits before hearing protection
- California exposure table: Protection is required when sound levels exceed those shown in Table N-1, measured on the A-scale at slow response, according to the California Department of Industrial Relations.
- One-second rule: If noise variations involve maxima at intervals of 1 second or less, the noise is considered continuous, according to the California Department of Industrial Relations.
- Impact peak limit: Exposure to impulsive or impact noise should not exceed 140 dB peak sound pressure level, according to the California Department of Industrial Relations.
- Washington monitoring trigger: Monitor for short-term noise exposures at 115 dBA using a slow response sound level meter, according to the Washington State Legislature.
Record the specific decibel number from the applicable page in your task log.
Use the Construction Daily Log Checklist for Supervisors when you record that number, and use the Noise-assessment logs: 3 checks for your task record for the same task.
Which noise numbers each official page prints before hearing protection
Contractors must stop guessing a single national number and instead look at the specific text on the page that applies to their location.
Because each page prints its own numbers, the contractor must match the page to the job site. A number printed on one page does not apply to a site governed by another page. The British page specifies its own timeline and scope for the regulations it describes. The other pages in this guide print different decibel values and monitoring triggers. The contractor’s first step is to determine which of these four pages governs the current work.
The scope of the British page is tied to its named industry sectors. The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 came into force for all industry sectors in Great Britain on 6 April 2006, according to Health and Safety Executive. The exception noted for music and entertainment sectors came into force later, on 6 April 2008. This distinction matters because the page’s rules apply based on the sector and the date. The contractor must confirm the sector and the date to use the correct numbers.
What the California page says about its table, controls, and the 140 dB peak
The California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 5096, titled "Exposure Limits for Noise," sets the specific conditions under which protection is required. This requirement ties the need for protection directly to the values printed in that specific table, rather than a single national standard.
When employees are subjected to sound levels exceeding those listed in Table N-1, the page states that feasible administrative or engineering controls shall be utilized. This establishes a hierarchy where reducing the noise source or changing work schedules is the first step. If such controls fail to reduce sound levels within the levels of the table, personal protective equipment shall be provided and used to reduce sound levels within the levels of the table. This sequence means that ear protection is the final step after other control methods have been attempted or found infeasible.
The page also defines how to handle fluctuating noise. If the variations in noise level involve maxima at intervals of 1 second or less, the noise is to be considered continuous. This rule prevents short bursts of high noise from being treated as separate, lower-level events. Instead, rapid fluctuations are measured as a continuous exposure, which may push the level above the Table N-1 limits.
For impulsive or impact noise, the page sets a specific peak limit. This 140 dB peak limit applies specifically to impulsive or impact noise, distinct from the continuous exposure limits in Table N-1. Contractors must identify whether the task involves steady noise or impact events to apply the correct limit.
Record which control method was used and the resulting sound level in your daily log.
What the Washington page says to monitor at 115 dBA and 140 dBC
WAC 296-817-20005 specifies two distinct measurement triggers for identifying noise exposures on the jobsite. The first trigger is a short-term level of 115 dBA, measured using a slow response sound level meter, which identifies short-term noise exposures according to Washington State Legislature. The second trigger is an instant level of 140 dBC, measured using a fast response sound level meter, which identifies almost instantaneous noise exposures according to Washington State Legislature. These two values serve as the specific thresholds that prompt the monitoring actions described in this section.
Beyond identifying these levels, the page requires that you provide exposed employees and their representatives with an opportunity to observe any measurements of employee noise exposure that are conducted according to Washington State Legislature. This observation requirement applies whenever measurements are taken to check against the 115 dBA or 140 dBC triggers.
The page also mandates that you conduct additional noise monitoring whenever a change in production, process, equipment, or controls may reasonably be expected to result in specific conditions according to Washington State Legislature.
When applying these rules, keep the 115 dBA and 140 dBC values tied strictly to this Washington State Legislature page. Do not treat these specific numbers as universal standards for other jurisdictions. Using the wrong meter response type for a specific trigger may not align with the method described in WAC 296-817-20005.
Before starting a task that might hit these levels, note the specific equipment and process involved. This keeps your records aligned with the specific triggers and observation requirements of this page.
A filled reference table of the four publishers' noise numbers
The following table lists the specific noise numbers or rules printed on each of the four official pages. Each row is tied strictly to the quoted fact for that publisher.
| Publisher | Noise Number or Rule | Context |
|---|---|---|
| California Department of Industrial Relations | Table N-1 limits | Protection is provided when sound levels exceed Table N-1 values measured on the A-scale at slow response, according to California Department of Industrial Relations. |
| Washington State Legislature | 115 dBA | This value identifies short-term noise exposures using a slow response sound level meter, according to Washington State Legislature. |
| Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety | 85 dBA or 87 dBA | The criterion level is 85 dBA in most jurisdictions, but 87 dBA for organizations following Canadian federal noise regulations, according to Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. |
| Health and Safety Executive | 87 dB(A) | This is the exposure limit value above which workers must not be exposed, taking account of any reduction provided by hearing protection, according to Health and Safety Executive. |
Record which publisher’s page applies to today’s work before measuring.
Why the Canadian page's exchange rate stays with that page
The numbers on the Canadian page describe a different regulatory landscape than the United States. You cannot use the Canadian criteria to determine if your crew needs hearing protection on a U.S. jobsite. For your U.S. site, you must ignore these Canadian figures and look for the specific U.S. jurisdictional rule that governs your project.
The Ontario Noise regulation, as described on the same page, requires that the employer must make sure that no worker is exposed to a sound level greater than a time-weighted average exposure limit of 85 dBA measured over an 8-hour work day, according to Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. This is a specific provincial requirement. If you are working in a U.S. state, the 85 dBA figure from Ontario does not apply to your daily log. You must verify which U.S. state or federal rule applies to your specific location and task.
The exchange rate is another key difference. The Canadian page notes that for example, the maximum permitted duration for a 100 dBA noise exposure in the 3 dBA exchange rate is 15 minutes, according to Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. This 3 dBA exchange rate is a specific calculation method used in that context. Do not use this 15-minute example to calculate your crew's exposure limits on a U.S. site.
The British page provides a similar caution. The Health and Safety Executive states that there is also an exposure limit value of 87 dB(A), taking account of any reduction in exposure provided by hearing protection, above which workers must not be exposed, according to Health and Safety Executive. This limit is part of the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, which replace the Noise at Work Regulations 1989, according to Health and Safety Executive. These are United Kingdom regulations. They do not apply to U.S. construction sites. The 87 dB(A) limit and the 2005 regulations are specific to the British legal framework.
Illustrative example of one noise check
A supervisor has one steady task on one jobsite. The supervisor copies the decibel number from the single official page that governs that site, writes the task name beside it, and leaves every other page's number off the sheet. The line is written before the task starts.
Worksheet for today's noise check
Record the specific date, the task name, the official page you consulted, and the protection requirement from that page.
| Row | Date | Task name | Official page | Decibel number | Protection requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Example | Today's date | The noisy task on this jobsite | The one official page for this location | The number that page prints | The protection step that page prints |
Before the noisy task starts, write the task name and the decibel number from the one official page that applies to this jobsite. This step ensures you have a clear record of which rule you followed. Do not guess a national number. Use the specific limit printed on the page for your location. If you are unsure which page applies, stop and check the jurisdiction of your project. The worksheet is a tool for your record, not a substitute for the official regulation text.
FAQ about jobsite noise limits and hearing protection
What does the California page point to in its table?
This table applies to measurements taken on the A-scale of a standard sound level meter at slow response, according to California Department of Industrial Relations.
What does the 140 dB figure refer to in the California text?
The 140 dB figure refers to the peak sound pressure level for impulsive or impact noise. The text states that exposure to this type of noise should not exceed 140 dB peak sound pressure level, according to California Department of Industrial Relations. This limit is distinct from the continuous exposure limits found in the table.
What does Washington say about 115 dBA and 140 dBC?
Washington State Legislature identifies 115 dBA as a trigger for short-term noise exposures using a slow response sound level meter. It also identifies 140 dBC as a trigger for almost instantaneous noise exposures using a fast response sound level meter, according to Washington State Legislature. These values serve as monitoring thresholds for specific types of noise events.
Are the Canadian or British numbers a United States construction rule?
No, the Canadian and British numbers are not United States construction rules.