If your Wisconsin workplace is noisy, you may be wondering: Do I need noise monitoring for my company?
The answer depends on the amount of noise your employees are exposed to, how long they are exposed, and the type of work being performed.
Excessive workplace noise can lead to permanent hearing loss, increased workplace injuries, and OSHA compliance issues. For Wisconsin employers, understanding when workplace noise monitoring is necessary is an important part of maintaining a safe workplace.
At Fox Valley Safety, we help Wisconsin businesses identify workplace hazards and develop practical safety programs that help protect employees and keep companies compliant.
What Is Noise Monitoring?
Noise monitoring measures the amount of sound employees are exposed to during their workday. It can help determine whether employees are exposed to noise levels that may require additional controls, hearing protection, or a formal Hearing Conservation Program.
Noise exposure isn’t always obvious. A workplace may not seem excessively loud during a quick walkthrough, but employees working around machinery, manufacturing equipment, power tools, compressors, or other sources of noise may experience significant exposure over an entire shift.
Noise monitoring can provide objective data about employee exposure.
When Does OSHA Require Noise Monitoring?
Under OSHA’s general industry noise standard, employers are required to take certain actions when employees are exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 85 decibels, measured on the A-weighted scale (85 dBA).
This level is commonly referred to as the action level.
If workplace noise exposure reaches or exceeds this level, employers generally need to implement a hearing conservation program.
OSHA’s permissible exposure limit for general industry is generally 90 dBA as an 8-hour TWA, with allowable exposure times decreasing as noise levels increase.
For example:
| Noise Level | Approximate OSHA Permissible Exposure Time |
|---|---|
| 90 dBA | 8 hours |
| 95 dBA | 4 hours |
| 100 dBA | 2 hours |
| 105 dBA | 1 hour |
| 110 dBA | 30 minutes |
| 115 dBA | 15 minutes |
These values demonstrate why simply asking, “Is the machine loud?” isn’t enough to determine whether employees are adequately protected.
Does My Wisconsin Business Need Noise Monitoring?
You should consider noise monitoring for your Wisconsin company if employees work around equipment or processes that may produce high noise levels.
Examples include:
- Manufacturing facilities
- Metal fabrication shops
- Welding operations
- Construction companies
- Foundries
- Machine shops
- Woodworking facilities
- Automotive and repair shops
- Industrial maintenance operations
- Warehouses using loud equipment
- Facilities with compressors or pneumatic equipment
- Companies operating heavy machinery
- Agricultural and industrial operations
If employees need to raise their voices to communicate with someone standing nearby, that’s a good reason to take a closer look at workplace noise levels.
However, the only way to accurately determine employee noise exposure is through appropriate noise exposure monitoring.
What If My Company Already Provides Hearing Protection?
Providing hearing protection is important, but hearing protection alone does not necessarily eliminate the need for noise monitoring or a hearing conservation program.
OSHA’s approach to occupational noise exposure focuses on controlling hazardous noise exposure through measures such as:
- Engineering controls
- Administrative controls
- Hearing protection
- Employee training and monitoring
Employers should first look at whether noise can be reduced at the source or through changes to equipment, processes, or work practices.
Hearing protection can then provide an additional layer of protection when employees remain exposed to hazardous noise.
What Happens If Noise Monitoring Shows Employees Are Overexposed?
If monitoring determines that employees are exposed to noise at or above the applicable action level, additional steps may be required.
Depending on the circumstances, an employer may need to establish a hearing conservation program that includes elements such as:
- Employee noise exposure monitoring
- Audiometric testing
- Hearing protection
- Employee training
- Recordkeeping
- Notification of employees about monitoring results
- Evaluation of hearing protectors
- Follow-up procedures when hearing changes are identified
A properly designed program helps employers identify risks before employees experience preventable hearing damage.
What About Wisconsin OSHA Requirements?
Wisconsin employers should also understand which OSHA program applies to their workplace.
Many private-sector Wisconsin employers are covered by Wisconsin OSHA (Wis-OSHA), administered by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.
Wisconsin OSHA adopts and enforces workplace safety and health requirements for covered employers. Depending on your industry and workplace, additional requirements may apply.
That’s why it is important for Wisconsin businesses to evaluate their specific workplace rather than relying on assumptions about whether noise monitoring is necessary.
How Often Should Workplace Noise Monitoring Be Done?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer for every company.
If initial monitoring indicates that employees are exposed at or above the applicable OSHA action level, employers may need additional monitoring when changes in equipment, processes, controls, or employee exposure could affect noise levels.
For example, you may want to reassess noise exposure after:
- Purchasing new machinery
- Changing production processes
- Moving equipment
- Increasing production
- Changing employee work assignments
- Installing noise-control equipment
- Receiving employee complaints about workplace noise
Regularly reviewing workplace hazards can help ensure your noise monitoring program remains accurate as your business changes.
Why Noise Monitoring Matters
Hearing loss can happen gradually. Employees may not notice the damage until it has already occurred.
A strong workplace noise program can help your company:
Protect employees: Identify hazardous noise exposure before it causes permanent hearing damage.
Improve OSHA compliance: Document workplace exposure and take appropriate corrective actions.
Identify problem areas: Determine which jobs, departments, equipment, or processes create the greatest noise exposure.
Make better decisions: Use actual monitoring data to determine whether engineering controls, administrative controls, or hearing protection are needed.
Build a stronger safety culture: Show employees that their long-term health and safety are a priority.
Not Sure If Your Wisconsin Company Needs Noise Monitoring?
If you’re asking, “Do I need noise monitoring for my Wisconsin company?”, the best place to start is with a workplace noise assessment.
Fox Valley Safety works with Wisconsin businesses to identify workplace hazards and develop safety solutions tailored to their operations.
Our safety professionals can help your company evaluate workplace noise exposure and determine whether noise monitoring, hearing protection, employee training, or a Hearing Conservation Program may be appropriate.
Need Help With Workplace Noise Compliance?
Don’t wait until an employee develops hearing loss or your company faces an OSHA concern.
Contact Fox Valley Safety to discuss noise monitoring and workplace safety services for your Wisconsin business.
