Noise Resources
Educational resources about noise levels, hearing health, and BC regulations.
Sound Level Examples
The chart below shows noise levels for common sounds. Noise is potentially dangerous when it exceeds 85 dBA.
| Sound Level | Example |
|---|---|
| 0 dBA | Threshold of hearing |
| 30 dBA | Quiet library, soft whisper |
| 60 dBA | Normal conversation, dishwashing |
| 70 dBA | Busy traffic, vacuum cleaner |
| 80 dBA | Garbage disposal, city traffic (inside car) |
| 85 dBA | BC exposure limit — heavy city traffic, lawn mower |
| 90 dBA | Factory machinery, power tools |
| 100 dBA | Chain saw, pneumatic drill, snowmobile |
| 110 dBA | Rock concert, power saw |
| 120 dBA | Jet engine at 100m, ambulance siren |
| 140 dBC | BC peak limit — gunshot, jet takeoff, pile driver |
Warning: Prolonged exposure to noise above 85 dBA can cause permanent hearing loss. Employers must provide hearing protection and annual testing for affected workers.
Hearing & Noise Glossary
Audiogram ▼
A graph showing the softest sounds a person can hear at different pitches or frequencies. Used to document hearing levels and detect noise-induced hearing loss.
Audiometric Technician ▼
A WorkSafeBC-authorized professional trained and certified to conduct hearing tests, counsel workers, and manage hearing conservation programs.
dBA ▼
A-weighted decibels — a scale that measures sound levels as perceived by the human ear. BC's exposure limit is 85 dBA Lex over 8 hours.
dBC ▼
C-weighted decibels — used for measuring peak impact noises. BC's peak limit is 140 dBC.
Hearing Conservation Program ▼
A written program required by OHS Regulation 7.5 that includes noise measurement, education, engineering controls, hearing protection, hazard posting, hearing tests, and annual review.
IAB ▼
Industrial Audiometric Business — a company authorized by WorkSafeBC to conduct hearing tests. A.A. Audio Lab is IAB #002.
Lex ▼
The daily noise exposure level — the A-weighted noise level averaged over an 8-hour working day.
Noise Dose ▼
The amount of noise energy a worker is exposed to, measured in Pascal-squared hours (Pa²h).
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) ▼
Permanent and irreversible hearing damage caused by prolonged exposure to hazardous noise. The most common occupational disease in BC.
OHS Regulation ▼
Occupational Health and Safety Regulation — the legal framework governing workplace safety in BC under the Workers Compensation Act.