ISSUES:
Construction sites are often dominated by noise levels over 85 dBA, including heavy machinery, excavators, bulldozers, chop saws, concrete mixers, and other tools. The construction industry is notorious for inconsistent adherence to hearing protection protocols and lack of testing exposure levels and actual hearing losses.
The exposure related to the noise levels of many pieces of powerful equipment and common tools such as chop saws, demo saws, nail guns, pneumatic drills, and saws that produce harmful noise levels can gradually lead to hearing impairment. Many workers tend to underestimate the noise produced by these everyday tools, mistakenly believing the impact is minimal. Additionally, the ability to hear alarms, machinery sounds, or colleague communications can be compromised, heightening workplace hazards.
LIST OF POSSIBLE ROOT CAUSES & HAZARDS:
- You may be unaware of your gradual hearing decline.
- You do not comprehend the hazards associated with exposure to loud noises and the significance of preventive measures.
- You do not recognize or minimize the early signs of hearing loss.
- You do not know that recognizing the hazard is essential for facilitating effective protection.
- You accept that hearing loss comes with your occupation.
- You are too “proud” to wear hearing protection.
- You do not participate when hearing testing is offered.
- You do not test your own hearing loss in the early stages.
- You do not accept your responsibility to protect your hearing.
- Effective communication is paramount on construction sites; any impairment can lead to misunderstandings that pose serious safety risks.
- You might miss critical instructions or warnings, increasing the likelihood of accidents and injuries occurring.
- Research indicates that construction workers with untreated hearing loss are more likely to experience accidents, leading to severe injuries or even fatalities.
- Chronic hearing loss can result in significant long-term health effects, extending beyond auditory impairment to impact your overall well-being.
- Addressing hearing loss is crucial not only for your immediate health but also for your long-term well-being.
- You do not understand that despite technological advancements, hearing aids will not restore hearing to normal levels.
SOURCES OF HAZARDS (AWARENESS):
Equipment Decibel Reading: (PO) Point of Operation, (OE) Operator’s Ear, (20) Twenty feet, (30) Thirty feet away.
[DECIBEL TESTING DATA section retained as written; only spelling corrections made, e.g., “CENENT” → “CEMENT,” “MCANINE” → “MACHINE.”]

Note: These measurements were taken with a handheld device at a particular time. The results are not an 8-hour time-rated average but are intended to provide some exposure recognition. Any exposure over ½ an hour above 110 dBA is an OSHA violation. The longer around a particular decibel level, the more damage to your hearing.
REGULATIONS:
OSHA Standard Subpart E – Hearing Protection 1926.101(a): Wherever it is not feasible to reduce the noise levels or duration of exposures to those specified in Table D-2, Permissible Noise Exposures in § 1926.52, ear protective devices shall be provided and used.
1926.101(b): Ear protective devices inserted in the ear shall be fitted or determined individually by competent persons.
1926.101(c): Plain cotton is not an acceptable protective device.
OSHA Standard Subpart D – Noise Exposure
1926.52(a): Protection against the effects of noise exposure shall be provided when the sound levels exceed those shown in Table D-2 of this section when measured on the A-scale of a standard sound level meter at slow response.
1926.52(b): When employees are subjected to sound levels exceeding those listed in Table D-2 of this section, feasible administrative or engineering controls shall be utilized. If such controls fail to reduce sound levels within the levels of the table, personal protective equipment as required in Subpart E shall be provided and used.
1926.52(c): If the variations in noise level involve maxima at intervals of 1 second or less, it is to be considered continuous.
1926.52(e): Exposure to impulsive or impact noise should not exceed 140 dB peak sound pressure level.
Table D-2 – Permissible Noise Exposures

THE FACTS: AT A GLANCE:
- Approximately 14% of all construction workers have hearing difficulty.
- About 7% of all construction workers have tinnitus.
- 52% of noise-exposed construction workers report not wearing hearing protection.
- About 51% of all workers in construction have been exposed to hazardous noise.
- About 25% of noise-exposed tested construction workers have a material hearing impairment. Hearing impairment is hearing loss that impacts day-to-day activities.
- 16% of noise-exposed tested construction workers have hearing impairment in both ears.
- Researchers found that untreated hearing loss in adults 50 or older increased the risk of developing dementia by 50%.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- A quick test:
- When driving home after work, turn your radio volume to a comfortable hearing level.
- Do not touch the volume control when you get home.
- In the morning, if the volume seems loud, you experienced some temporary hearing loss the day before. It rejuvenated overnight, but multiple exposures eventually cause permanent hearing damage.If you begin to experience difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments, this can be an early indicator of auditory decline. High-pitched sounds, such as whistles or alarms, may become increasingly challenging to discern.
- If you notice that you frequently ask others to repeat themselves or they tell you that you do.
- Earlier detection allows you to seek medical advice before the condition progresses.
- It is important to recognize the early signs of hearing loss and to take action.
- OSHA also recommends what is known as the 2–3-foot rule: if you need to raise your voice when speaking to someone 2 or 3 feet away, the noise level might be over 85 dBA.
IMPORTANT DO’S TO KEEP IN MIND ABOUT HEARING LOSS AND NOISE REDUCTION:
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Do avoid noise exposures whenever possible.
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Do use hearing protection 100% of the time you are exposed to decibels over 90 dBA.
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Do know the facts about your hearing protection PPE.
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Do use smaller, quieter generators if they can perform the task.
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Do position generators and other loud equipment farther from your head.
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Do build a temporary barrier with plywood or other on-site materials to block the noise from reaching you.
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Do set the generator on softer soil or sand surfaces to help absorb some of the noise.
IMPORTANT DON’TS TO KEEP IN MIND ABOUT HEARING LOSS AND NOISE REDUCTION:
- Do not ignore the hazard of noise levels.
- Do not ignore early signs of hearing loss.
- Do not be afraid to insist on the proper PPE for dBA exposures over 85 dBA. {Contact SRMS if an issue exists (717-925-7475)}.
- Do not accept that it is “part of the job.”
- Do not work in areas where dBA exceeds 85.
- Do not reject any opportunity to have your hearing tested.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 1926 Subpart D – Noise Exposure Standards. U.S. Department of Labor, www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926SubpartD
. Accessed 15 Sept. 2025.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 1926 Subpart E – Hearing Protection Standards. U.S. Department of Labor, www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926SubpartE
. Accessed 15 Sept. 2025.
“Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention in Construction.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise
. Accessed 15 Sept. 2025.
Masterson, Erin, et al. “Prevalence of Hearing Loss and Tinnitus in U.S. Workers by Industry Sector.” American Journal of Industrial Medicine, vol. 59, no. 6, 2016, pp. 481–491.






















































