A single building often contains a punch press cell at one end and a packing area at the other. Averaging across the plant tells you very little, and assuming the worst for everyone means testing and protecting people who may not need it. Typical plant noise sources include:
Section 7.2 sets two exposure limits, and an employer must ensure workers are not exposed above either one: an 85 dBA Lex daily noise exposure level, and a 140 dBC peak sound level. The first is an average across the working day; the second is a single loud event, measured at its peak.
Under section 7.3(1), an employer must measure worker noise exposure where a worker is or may be exposed to potentially harmful levels of noise, or where information indicates exposure may exceed 82 dBA Lex. That sits below the 85 dBA Lex limit — the duty to measure starts before you are over the line.
There is an alternative, and we would rather tell you about it than not. Section 7.4 removes the duty to measure where the employer, based on other information, identifies the worker as being exposed in excess of an exposure limit and establishes an effective noise control and hearing conservation program for that worker. Note what that costs: it is an evidence-based identification rather than a free election, and the program it commits you to includes engineered noise control, not just hearing tests and earplugs. Measuring is worth it when you want to know who is genuinely below the limits, size hearing protection to the actual level, or show an officer real numbers instead of an assumption.
One limitation we would rather state up front: full-shift dosimetry establishes daily exposure against the 85 dBA Lex limit. Impact noise measured against the 140 dBC peak limit is a separate question, and we will tell you which of the two a given survey addresses.
For the wider picture, we set out the WorkSafeBC hearing testing and noise requirements in full, straight from the regulation.
Full-shift personal dosimetry and area readings, using methods based on CSA Standard Z107.56, with calibration recorded and results documented for your program file.
Personal noise dosimeters worn across a real working shift, so the numbers reflect the job as it is actually done.
Sound level meter readings across the site, so you can decide where hearing protection is needed and where signs should go if section 7.7 applies to you.
Measured levels, the sampling method, and field calibration records. Section 7.9(c) requires you to keep the results of noise measurements taken under 7.3 — we give you those results in a form you can keep.
We already run on-site hearing testing in plants across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley and schedule around production, not the other way round. Noise measurement is part of the wider workplace noise survey service we run across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.
If afternoons run a different product mix than days, the exposure is different too. We plan sampling around your shift pattern so the report reflects the plant as it actually runs.
Measurement lets you separate the positions that genuinely exceed the limit from those that do not — which is what makes the rest of your program proportionate instead of blanket.
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Definitely good at their job. Noah and Amy were at our construction job site and did a good job for testing. Helped all our crew on site.
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Common questions from BC manufacturers about plant noise measurement.
Usually, yes. Personal dosimeters are worn by workers doing their normal jobs for a full shift, and area readings are taken as we walk the plant, so in most plants nothing has to stop. We do need access to fit dosimeters at shift start and collect them at the end, and if any area needs an escort or a permit, tell us in advance and we will build it into the plan.
Section 7.3(1) requires you to measure noise exposure where a worker is or may be exposed to potentially harmful levels of noise, or where information indicates exposure may exceed 82 dBA Lex. Section 7.4 offers an alternative: you may skip measurement if you instead treat those workers as over-exposed and establish an effective noise control and hearing conservation program for them. Measuring is the route that tells you who is actually below the limit.
Personal dosimetry is a full-shift measurement, so a survey day brackets a whole working shift — we fit dosimeters at shift start and collect them at the end. Area readings are taken in between. A single site is usually one day; an operation spread across several sites is scoped and quoted accordingly.
The regulation sets no certification requirement for the person measuring. What it does require, under section 7.3(2), is that the measurement be carried out in accordance with CSA Standard Z107.56. The method is regulated, not the job title — which is why you should ask any provider how they sample, not just who they are.
Yes, for workers exposed above the limits. Section 7.8 requires a test within six months of starting work and at least once every 12 months after that, administered by a hearing tester authorized by the Board. The survey is what tells you which workers that applies to.
Tell us your plant, shift pattern and the areas you want covered, and we will scope the survey. We reply within 1 business hour.
