Permissible Exposure Limits for Occupational Noise
Last Updated: February 28, 2024 8:39:35 PM PST
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Check this table for the highest permissible sound pressure levels that employees can be exposed to over a specified period of time.
Noise exposure
Noise exposure is described in either of these 2 ways:
- An 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level
- A noise dose (in percent at the 8-hour allowable exposure)
Program participation
Participation in The UC San Diego Hearing Conservation Program is required when employee exposure to occupational noise is expected to equal or exceed:
- 85 dB(A) averaged out over an 8-hour workday
OR, equivalently, - A dose of 50% or greater
Exposure limits
Maintain employee exposure to occupational noise within the limits given in the table below.
Contact EH&S Occupational Health & Hygiene at ehsih@ucsd.edu to schedule noise exposure assessment and control services.
Cal/OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits for Occupational Noise | |
---|---|
Sound Pressure Level (dB(A)) | Duration Time (hours) |
80 | 32 |
81 | 27.9 |
82 | 24.3 |
83 | 21.1 |
84 | 18.4 |
85 | 16.0 |
86 | 13.9 |
87 | 12.1 |
88 | 10.6 |
89 | 9.2 |
90 | 8.0 |
91 | 7.0 |
92 | 6.2 |
93 | 5.3 |
94 | 4.3 |
95 | 4.0 |
96 | 3.5 |
97 | 3.0 |
98 | 2.6 |
99 | 2.3 |
100 | 2.0 |
101 | 1.7 |
102 | 1.5 |
103 | 1.4 |
104 | 1.3 |
105 | 1.0 |
106 | 0.87 |
107 | 0.76 |
108 | 0.66 |
109 | 0.57 |
110 | 0.5 |
111 | 0.44 |
112 | 0.38 |
113 | 0.33 |
114 | 0.29 |
115 | 0.25 |
116 | 0.22 |
117 | 0.19 |
118 | 0.16 |
119 | 0.14 |
120 | 0.125 |
121 | 0.11 |
122 | 0.095 |
123 | 0.082 |
124 | 0.072 |
125 | 0.063 |
126 | 0.054 |
127 | 0.047 |
128 | 0.041 |
129 | 0.036 |
130 | 0.031 |
Questions? Contact EH&S Occupational Health & Hygiene Services at ehsih@ucsd.edu.