Noise at work in Germany: exposure action values, hearing protection and employer duties
From 80 dB(A) the employer has to act, from 85 dB(A) wearing hearing protection becomes mandatory. Which values apply, how noise is assessed and which measures the German ordinance requires.
Last updated on 7 min readAMS Go editorial team
Key points at a glance
- The key rule is the German Noise and Vibration Ordinance (LärmVibrationsArbSchV): it sets lower exposure action values of 80 dB(A) and upper ones of 85 dB(A) for daily noise exposure, plus peak values of 135 and 137 dB(C).
- From the lower action values, the employer must provide hearing protection, give instruction and offer occupational health checks.
- From the upper action values, noise areas are marked, hearing protection must be worn, health checks are mandatory and a noise reduction programme has to be implemented.
- Measures at the noise source take priority over hearing protection. The basis is the risk assessment with a competent assessment of noise exposure.
Why noise matters for many companies
Noise damages hearing gradually and permanently: noise-induced hearing loss cannot be cured. In Germany it has for years been one of the most frequently recognised occupational diseases (no. 2301). Noise can also cause stress, disturb concentration and drown out warning signals – increasing the risk of accidents.
It is not only metalworking, construction or woodworking that are affected. Critical levels are quickly reached in logistics, food production, printing or workshops too. Noise therefore belongs in every risk assessment that involves loud machines, tools or processes.
The exposure action values under the German noise ordinance
The ordinance uses two measures: the daily noise exposure level L EX,8h, i.e. the noise exposure averaged over an eight-hour working day, and the peak sound pressure L pC,peak for short, very loud events such as impacts or bangs.
Lower exposure action value
Daily noise exposure80 dB(A)
Peak sound pressure135 dB(C)
Upper exposure action value
Daily noise exposure85 dB(A)
Peak sound pressure137 dB(C)
Maximum at the ear (with hearing protection)
Daily noise exposure85 dB(A)
Peak sound pressure137 dB(C)
Sound levels are logarithmic: just 3 dB more means twice the sound energy. One hour at 91 dB(A) therefore strains hearing about as much as eight hours at 82 dB(A).
What to do from which value
the lower action values (80 dB(A) / 135 dB(C))
Employer dutiesProvide hearing protection, instruct employees and give general occupational health advice, offer occupational health checks
the upper action values (85 dB(A) / 137 dB(C))
Employer dutiesMark noise areas and – where technically possible – fence them off, make sure hearing protection is worn, implement a noise reduction programme, arrange mandatory health checks
Noise areas must be marked as soon as an upper action value can be exceeded. Employees may only be there if the work process requires it and they wear hearing protection (Section 7 of the ordinance).
Regardless of the action values, the workplace rule ASR A3.7 “Noise” applies to work rooms: for activities requiring high concentration or speech intelligibility – such as meetings or focused office work – the rating level should not exceed 55 dB(A), and 70 dB(A) for medium concentration.
Risk assessments in AMS GoAssess noise as a hazard per work area, track measures with deadlines in the action plan and check noise areas during inspections.Assessing noise
The basis for all measures is the risk assessment. The employer must have noise exposure assessed competently – by measurement or using reliable information, for example from machine manufacturers or comparable workplaces. The procedure is described in the technical rules for the noise and vibration ordinance (TRLV Lärm).
- 1
Identify noise sources
Which machines, tools and activities are loud? Manufacturer information, feedback from employees and observations during inspections give clues.
- 2
Determine exposure
Measure or competently estimate how long and how loud employees are exposed during the day – including short peaks.
- 3
Compare with the action values
This shows which duties apply – from instruction to noise areas.
- 4
Define and implement measures
In the order technical, organisational, personal – with owners and deadlines.
- 5
Check effectiveness and document
Reassess after changes and record the results in the risk assessment.
A simple everyday warning sign: if people can only understand each other at short distance by raising their voices, the noise exposure should be assessed in more detail.
Measures: tackle noise at the source
The ordinance sets a clear order: noise is reduced first at the source, then through organisational measures. Hearing protection is the last step – it complements the other measures but does not replace them.
- Technical: choose quieter machines and processes, enclosures, silencers, vibration-damping mounts, sound-absorbing ceilings and walls
- Organisational: separate noisy work in space or time, limit exposure time, maintain machines so they do not get louder
- Personal: choose suitable hearing protection – such as earmuffs, earplugs or custom-moulded plugs – and check its condition regularly
Instruction and occupational health checks
If the lower action values are reached or exceeded, employees must be instructed before starting work and regularly afterwards – and whenever the task changes significantly (Section 11 of the ordinance). The instruction covers, among other things:
- the type of hazard and the protective measures taken
- the action values and the results of the noise assessment
- the correct use of hearing protection
- the purpose of occupational health checks
- signs of hearing damage and where to report them
Occupational health checks are governed by the ArbMedVV: if the lower action values are exceeded, checks must be offered. From reaching the upper action values they are mandatory – the work may then only be done once the check has taken place.
Checklist: noise at work
- Noisy work areas and activities identified
- Noise exposure competently assessed and documented
- Technical and organisational measures reviewed
- Suitable hearing protection provided from the lower action value
- Noise areas marked and, where possible, fenced off
- Use of hearing protection in noise areas monitored
- Instruction given and recorded
- Offered or mandatory health checks arranged
Free templates for this guide
As PDF and Excel, free – to use in your own company.
Frequently asked questions
From how many decibels is hearing protection mandatory?
The employer must provide hearing protection as soon as the lower action values of 80 dB(A) or 135 dB(C) are exceeded. From the upper action values of 85 dB(A) or 137 dB(C), the employer must make sure it is actually worn.
What is a noise area?
A work area in which one of the upper action values can be exceeded. It is marked and, where technically possible, fenced off; hearing protection must be worn there.
Who may measure noise at work?
The assessment must be carried out competently – for example by the occupational safety specialist, measuring services of the accident insurance institutions or specialist providers with suitable equipment.
Does the noise ordinance apply to offices?
The action values are practically never reached in offices. However, ASR A3.7 applies to offices and other work rooms: for focused work, the rating level should not exceed 55 dB(A).
Terms from the glossary
This guide gives a general overview of German occupational safety law and does not replace legal advice. The regulations in force and the rules of the statutory accident insurance institutions are authoritative.
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