Noise

Exposure to high levels of noise can cause workers without any hearing protection to suffer noise-induced hearing loss. How much noise is too much? No one should be exposed to over 85 decibels for 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week, or a peak noise level of 145 decibels.

Examples of hazards from noise on the farm are:

• Using a chainsaw or post ram without ear protection.
• Driving a tractor, or very noisy machinery with a cab, and without ear protection.
• Using noisy power tools in the workshed.

Some ways you can reduce the risk of hazards from noise are:

• Use comfortable personal protective equipment such as ear muffs and plugs.
• Schedule noisy work for when fewer people are around.
• Try and rotate jobs to alternate noisy and quiet work.