Construction sites are often subject to high levels of noise pollution from machines, tools and construction traffic. Constant noise can lead to noise-induced hearing loss – irreversible damage to the hearing. To avoid this, high-quality hearing protection is extremely important for construction workers. As a result, employers are obliged to provide suitable hearing protection on the construction site from a noise level of 80 dB(A). This article informs contractors in the construction industry about the options available and the measures that can be taken to reduce noise levels for employees.
Hearing protection for construction sites: When does noise become dangerous?
Every construction worker is familiar with the countless sources of noise to which they are exposed in their daily working environment – regardless of the machines or vehicles they use. Whether drilling and pneumatic hammers, circular saws or excavators: the noise level is a constant companion in everyday working life in the construction industry. Added to this is the ambient noise from lorries, cranes and road traffic as well as work-related noise emissions when cutting, grinding or mixing concrete. All these noise sources add up to levels of over 100 dB(A), which can damage hearing within a short period of time.
Precisely because construction workers are exposed to high noise intensity on a daily basis, they become accustomed to the ambient noise and underestimate the long-term damage that can occur even before the 80 dB(A) level is reached. Nevertheless, the wearing of hearing protection is only mandatory for the construction industry above 85 dB(A). Skilled workers need effective hearing protection for the construction industry to protect them from the occupational disease ‘noise-induced hearing loss’. After all, according to the German Employer’s Liability Insurance Association for the Construction Industry (BG BAU) ‘noise-induced hearing loss’ is the number one occupational disease in the construction industry. But what is noise-induced hearing loss anyway?
Noise-induced hearing loss occurs when loud sound damages the fine hair cells in the inner ear (cochlea). These are responsible for transmitting sound to the brain. Once these cells are damaged, they cannot regenerate, which can lead to permanent hearing impairment or even complete hearing loss.
Typical symptoms are
- Limited perception of high frequencies such as birdsong or children’s voices
- Problems understanding speech in a noisy environment
- Permanent ringing in the ears such as whistling, buzzing (tinnitus)
- Slow deterioration of hearing without feeling pain
Noise-induced hearing loss can be prevented with the help of consistent noise protection, such as headphones (used here as a synonym for ‘hearing protection’) for the construction site.
What do the health and safety laws say? When does an employer have to provide hearing protection on the construction site?
In Germany, the Occupational Health and Safety Act regulates noise protection in the workplace, particularly on construction sites. The Noise and Vibration Occupational Health and Safety Ordinance (LärmVibrationsArbSchV) specifies the noise levels above which hearing protection is required on construction sites.
| Mandatory hearing protection on construction sites | |
| From 80 dB(A) | The employer must provide suitable hearing protection and inform his employees about the dangers. (Health and safety instructions or safety briefings). |
| From 85 dB(A) | Start of the obligation to wear hearing protection. The employer is responsible for compliance with and implementation of this obligation. |
| Above 87 dB(A) | Additional measures to reduce noise pollution:
– Use of noise barriers – Use of noise-reduced machines – Personalised hearing protection – Break regulations – Hearing protection training and education |
As long-term exposure to noise can lead to irreversible damage to hearing, technical measures and PPE (personal protective equipment) are essential to protect construction workers in the long term. After all, seamless occupational health and safety not only ensures health, but also greater safety on the construction site.
For which applications is it essential to wear hearing protection on the construction site?
Hearing protection should be selected for the construction site in such a way that skilled workers can combine it with other PPE items such as helmets or safety goggles.
It is particularly important to find the right balance between sufficient noise protection and the perception of hazardous and signalling noises, such as vehicles reversing or a fire alarm. Construction workers are more likely to be convinced to use hearing protection if it is comfortable to wear. The solution lies in well-fitting and practical hearing protection systems that increase wearing comfort and at the same time provide effective sound insulation.
| Examples of noise emissions from construction work | |
| Construction site lorries | 85 – 95 dB |
| Reversing lorries and machines (warning signals) | 85 – 100 dB |
| Crane operation | 80 – 90 dB |
| Concrete mixer | 85 – 90 dB |
| Excavator (hydraulic or mini) | 85 – 90 dB |
| Pneumatic hammer and hammer drill | 100 – 115 dB |
| Circular Saw | 90 – 105 dB |
| Grinders | 95 – 105 dB |
| Drilling machines | 85 – 100 dB |
| Cut-off grinders | 100 – 110 dB |
| Air drills | ca. 100 dB |
| Joint milling machines | 100 – 110 dB |
You can use various sources to determine the noise emissions of an electrical tool or machine:
- Operating instructions
- Technical data sheets
- Type plates
- Product-specific databases
- Direct enquiry with the manufacturer
- Apps for noise measurement directly on site
Standards and regulations on noise protection for machinery and equipment
- DIN and ISO standards: DIN 45635 or ISO 3744 regulate the measurement and permissible noise levels of machines and devices.
- EU Directive: The Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) and Regulation (EU) No. 1272/2008 contain regulations on machine noise. The directives are mandatory for manufacturers.
- Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on personal protective equipment: The individual variants of hearing protection models are subject to various DIN directives. These represent the conditions for effective noise protection.
Which products can/should I wear on the construction site to minimise the risk of illness?
There are different types of hearing protection on construction sites, which should be selected depending on the area of use and personal preferences:
Earplugs for the construction site:
- Disposable or reusable
- with or without a band or clip
- Lightweight and inconspicuous
- Wearing comfort varies depending on the manufacturer
- Sound attenuation value (SNR) of approx. 25 to 37 dB
The small size and ease of use of the earplugs is exactly what you are looking for? The uvex range includes models such as uvex hi-com, uvex xtra-fit and uvex whisper.
Ear muffs for the construction site:
- reusable
- on the headband or with helmet attachment
- Partially adjustable in size
- Sound attenuation value (SNR) of approx. 25 to 40 dB
Instead of hearing protection that sits in your ears, would you prefer noise protection on your ears? Discover our selection of earmuffs – including the uvex K10, uvex K20, uvex K30 and more.
Electronic / active hearing protection for the construction site:
- reusable
- Padded headband
- Customisable size
- Integrated microphone
- Active noise reduction: circuits filter out harmful ambient noise
- Sound attenuation value (SNR) between 25 and 35 dB
Do you expect multifunctionality from your hearing protection? The active hearing protection with Bluetooth, the uvex aXess one, not only insulates loud noises and allows warning signals. Without removing the noise protection, you can talk to colleagues at close range. And the Bluetooth connection to your smartphone allows you to take calls.
If you want to protect your hearing over a longer period of time, it is worth considering hearing protection otoplastics. These are customised by uvex to fit your ear and therefore offer maximum wearing comfort.
Which hearing protection you choose when working on a construction site is often of secondary importance. It is much more important that you protect your auricle and ear canal against noise and that you enjoy wearing them regularly. Not sure which type is right for you? The uvex hearing protection advisor will help you find the right solution.
Sound Noise Reduction (SNR) values
- Is specified in dB (decibels).
- The higher the sound attenuation value, the less noise is allowed through.
- It is important to choose hearing protection that minimises harmful noise and still allows alarm signals to pass through.
Too much of a good thing: The risks of over-insulation
Excessive hearing protection can be dangerous on construction sites, as the perception of important ambient noises is restricted too much. In this case, we speak of ‘over-insulation’, which can lead to considerable risks. While reducing noise levels is a priority for occupational safety, over-insulation can lead to absolute noise isolation. This results in the risk that alarm signals such as a warning signal from a machine or the shouting of colleagues are no longer perceived and the probability of getting into a dangerous situation increases.
This is why it is so important that you do not simply use hearing protection that delivers the highest dB values, but that you choose headphones or earplugs that effectively attenuate the noise but still allow you to hear warning signals.
Electronic hearing protection systems such as active hearing protection with Bluetooth like the uvex aXess one can be a good solution here, as it automatically adapts the noise protection to the environment, meaning that it is not necessary to take off the headphones.You can also stay in contact with your colleagues easily via the integrated microphone.If you want to use an electronic hearing protection system, make sure it is highly ergonomic, such as
- Easily accessible function buttons
- Pressure-free enclosure of the outer ear
- Padded headbands and ear pads
- length adjustment for greater customisability
- hands-free technology
- Standard EN 3526-1 should be fulfilled to provide effective noise protection against industrial noise and construction noise
Hearing protection on construction sites: A must for occupational safety
Hearing protection is an important aspect and component of occupational safety and long-term health protection for construction workers. In view of the high level of noise pollution caused by machinery and construction site noise, it is crucial to choose the right hearing protection. This is the only way to prevent noise-induced hearing loss and other hearing damage. It is necessary to choose the optimum protection that ensures noise reduction on the one hand and does not block the perception of important signals and warnings on the other. Employers are obliged to provide suitable protective measures to ensure the safety and well-being of their employees. Hearing protection on construction sites is therefore a must and must not be neglected.
