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, a 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.
NEW! Download a copy of this table in .pdf format.
Unfamiliar with the technospeak of noise exposure standards? Here's a brief glossary of common noise terms.
Some information below taken from the AIHA Noise Manual, 5th ed. (2001)
International | Argentina | Australia | Austria | Brazil | Belgium | Canada | Chile | China |
Cyprus | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | European Union | Finland | France | Germany | Greece | Hungary | India |
Ireland | Israel | Italy | Japan | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Malaysia | Malta | Netherlands | New Zealand | Norway | Poland |
Portugal | Singapore| Slovakia | Slovenia | South Africa | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland | Thailand | UK | US | Uruguay
International Standards Organization Back to Top
International Standards Organization ISO 1999:1990 Argentina Back to Top Department of Health and Security General Regulation, Industrial, Noise and Vibration Problems 85 (HC)
90 (NC)
115 dBA max
135 dBA peak
Australia Back to Top Office of the Australian Safety and Compensation Council National Standard for Occupational Noise [NOHSC:1007(2000)], 2nd edition, July 2000
140 dBC peak
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
New South Wales WorkCover Corp Occupational Health & Safety Regulation 2001 - Part 4.3, Division 4 -Noise Management Northern Territory NTWorkSafe Work Health (Occupational Health and Safety) Regulations Part 7, Division 2, Section 56 - Noise 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)] 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 Victorian Workcover Authority Occupational Health and Safety (Noise) Regulations 2004 Austria Back to Top 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
135 dBC (Lower Action Level)
137 dBC (Upper Action Level)
140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection)
Daily or weekly limits
Belgium Back to Top
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
135 dBC (Lower Action Level)
137 dBC (Upper Action Level)
140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection)
Daily or weekly limits
Brazil Back to Top Ministry of Work and Employment/Fundacentro, NR 15 - Security and Health ofWork, Annexes 1 and 2, n°3.214/1978 85 (HC)
115 dBA max
130 dB peak
Canada Back to Top 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)
Workers Compensation Board of Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code 2006 Part 16, Noise Exposure and Schedule 3, Table 1 85
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 LimitManitoba Workplace Safety and Health Division Workplace Safety and Health Regulations (Man. Reg. 217/2006) Part 12 85
New Brunswick Workplace Health Safety and Compensation Commission General Regulation (N.B reg. 91-191 as amended) Part V, Section 29 140 dB peak
Newfoundland Workplace Health Safety and Compensation Commission Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (C.N.R. 1165/96) Section 50 Northwest Territories, Canada Government (also covers Nunavut) General Safety Regulations (RRNWT 1990, c. S-1, R-028-93 as amended) Section 30 and 31
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
Prince Edward Island Occupational Health and Safety Agency Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (E.C. 180/87) Part 8, Section 8.1 140 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 85 115 dBA max
140 dB peakSaskatchawan 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 4 103 dBA max
140 dB peak
Chile Back to Top 115 dBA max
140 dB peak
China Back to Top Cyprus Back to Top
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
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
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
135 dBC (Lower Action Level)
137 dBC (Upper Action Level)
140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection)
Daily or weekly limits
Denmark Back to Top
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
135 dBC (Lower Action Level)
137 dBC (Upper Action Level)
140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection)
Daily or weekly limits
Estonia Back to Top
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
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 Effective Jan 1990; repealed Feb 2006
85 (HC)
90 (NC)
European Union 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
135 dBC (Lower Action Level)
137 dBC (Upper Action Level)
140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection)
Daily or weekly limits
Finland Back to Top 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
135 dBC (Lower Action Level)
137 dBC (Upper Action Level)
140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection)
Daily or weekly limits
France Back to Top 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
135 dBC (Lower Action Level)
137 dBC (Upper Action Level)
140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection)
Daily or weekly limits
Germany Back to Top 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
135 dBC (Lower Action Level)
137 dBC (Upper Action Level)
140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection)
Daily or weekly limits
Greece Back to Top
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
135 dBC (Lower Action Level)
137 dBC (Upper Action Level)
140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection)
Daily or weekly limits
Hungary Back to Top 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
135 dBC (Lower Action Level)
137 dBC (Upper Action Level)
140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection)
Daily or weekly limits
India Back to Top Rules of the Factories Act 115 dBAmax
140 dBApeak
Ireland Back to Top 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
135 dBC (Lower Action Level)
137 dBC (Upper Action Level)
140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection)
Daily or weekly limits
Israel Back to Top 115 dBA max
140 dBC peak
Italy Back to Top 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
135 dBC (Lower Action Level)
137 dBC (Upper Action Level)
140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection)
Daily or weekly limits
Japan Back to Top 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)
80 Latvia Back to Top
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
135 dBC (Lower Action Level)
137 dBC (Upper Action Level)
140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection)
Daily or weekly limits
Lithuania Back to Top
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
135 dBC (Lower Action Level)
137 dBC (Upper Action Level)
140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection)
Daily or weekly limits
Luxembourg Back to Top
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
135 dBC (Lower Action Level)
137 dBC (Upper Action Level)
140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection)
Daily or weekly limits
Malaysia Back to Top Ministry of Human Resources, Department of Occupational Safety and Health Factory and Machinery Act (Noise Exposure) Regulation 1989 85 (HC)
90 (NC)
115 dBA ceiling
140 dB peak
Malta Back to Top
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
135 dBC (Lower Action Level)
137 dBC (Upper Action Level)
140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection)
Daily or weekly limits
Netherlands Back to Top 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
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 Occupational Safety and Health Service Health and Safety in Employment Regulations 1995 - Regulation 11 (Noise) 85 (HC)
115 dBA max
140 dB peak
Norway Back to Top 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)
110 dBA fast max or
120 dBA fast max
130 dBC peak
Poland Back to Top 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
135 dBC (Lower Action Level)
137 dBC (Upper Action Level)
140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection)
Daily or weekly limits
Portugal Back to Top
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
135 dBC (Lower Action Level)
137 dBC (Upper Action Level)
140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection)
Daily or weekly limits
Singapore Back to Top Department of Industrial Health Factories (Noise) regulations, 1996 (S372/96)
eff 1 Jan 1997
85 (HC)
90 (NC) (if more than 50 people exposed)
140 dBA peak
Slovakia Back to Top
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
135 dBC (Lower Action Level)
137 dBC (Upper Action Level)
140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection)
Daily or weekly limits
Slovenia Back to Top
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
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 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 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
135 dBC (Lower Action Level)
137 dBC (Upper Action Level)
140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection)
Daily or weekly limits
Sweden Back to Top 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
135 dBC (Lower Action Level)
137 dBC (Upper Action Level)
140 dBC (Exposure Limit WITH protection)
Daily or weekly limits
Switzerland Back to Top 125 dBA max
140 dBC peak
Thailand Back to Top Ministry of the Interior 80 (AL)
90
United Kingdom Back to Top 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
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 American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Threshold Limit Value© for Noise American National Standards Institute S3.44-1996 California Occupational Safety and Health Administration CCR Title 8, Chapter 4, Subchapter 7, Group 15, Article 105, Permissible Exposure Limit 85 (HC)
90 (NC)
115 dBA max
140 dB peak
Federal Railroad Administration Locomotive Cab Noise (49 CFR 229.121)
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
80 (HC)
90 (NC)
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Recommended Exposure Limit (DHHS Pub 98-126) Occupational Safety and Health Administration Permissible Exposure Limit for General Industry (29 CFR 1910.95) 90 (NC)
85 (HC)
80 (HC)
90 (NC)
115 dBA max
140 dB peak (advisory)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration Permissible Exposure Limit for Construction (29 CFR 1910.95) 115 dBA max
140 dB peak (advisory)
Washington Industrial Safety and Health Administration Pemissible Exposure Limit (WAC 296-817) 85
90 (NC)
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
115 dBA max
140 dB peak
US Military DoD Instruction 6055.12, Hearing Conservation Program, 2004
Uruguay Back to Top 110 dBA max
Questions or comments?
