What do you mean by decibel level?
A decibel is the measurement we use when talking about the loudness of a sound.
A decibel is the measurement we use when talking about the loudness of a sound. Here are some examples of common sounds and their decibel levels:
| Typical conversation | 60 |
| Bulldozer idling | 85 |
| Train whistle at 500 feet | 90 |
| Power mower at 3 feet | 107 |
| Power saw at 3 feet | 110 |
| Loud rock concert | 115 |
| Pneumatic riveter at 4 feet | 125 |
| Jet engine at 100 feet; gun blast | 140 |
OSHA limits
OSHA regulations state that your employees must wear hearing protection if they are exposed to the following noise levels beyond the length of time listed:
| Decibels | Time of exposure (hours) |
| 90 | 8 |
| 95 | 4 |
| 100 | 2 |
| 105 | 1 |
| 110 | .5 |
| 115 | .25 |
Remember: The louder the sound, the less time you can safely listen to it. Even the OSHA limits on the left may not be protective enough. In reality, for every three decibels over 85, the allowable time before damage can occur from long-term exposure is cut in half. Because of this potential for hearing loss, most health and safety organizations recommend wearing hearing protection whenever an eight-hour exposure to noise equals or exceeds 85 decibels.
For more on this topic, visit saif.com/noise.