Preventing Hearing Loss in Construction

• The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 requires employers to assess and control noise risks on construction sites​.
• A noise risk assessment is legally required when daily or weekly exposure exceeds 80 dB – roughly the volume of a ground compactor.
• Hearing protection must be consistently worn when noise levels reach or exceed 85 dB – roughly the volume of a concrete mixer.
• The legal exposure limit is 87 dB (after hearing protection is applied); workers must not be exposed to volumes above this threshold.
• Hearing loss in construction is almost always permanent, making prevention the most effective way to protect long-term hearing health.

Employers have a legal duty to protect workers from excessive noise under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. These regulations apply to all UK workplaces, including construction sites.

They require employers to:

• Carry out a noise risk assessment if levels reach 80 decibels (dB)
• Provide hearing protection and training if noise exceeds 85 dB
• Offer health surveillance to workers exposed to harmful noise

In practice, effectively every construction site regularly exceeds 80 dB. A circular saw, for example, can reach 100 dB – enough to cause permanent hearing damage in just 15 minutes. So, formal noise risk assessments are always needed in construction.

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM) are also relevant. Under CDM, individual contractors are responsible for managing the risks of their own work, including harmful noise levels.

On multi-contractor sites, the principal contractor must coordinate noise controls across the site and confirm that subcontractors have considered each other in their work plans.

Under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, employers must act to prevent hearing loss at specific noise levels, known as exposure action values.

Employers must:

• Carry out a formal risk assessment if noise levels exceed 80 dB
• Implement controls and ensure hearing protection is worn if noise levels exceed 85 dB
• Prevent any exposure to noise levels at or above 87 dB

The 87 dB exposure limit can seem confusing. Construction sites are almost always louder than this (remember, an average circular saw can reach 100 dB), which is why the regulations focus on a worker’s exposure, not the environment.

Workers can carry out activities in dangerously noisy environments provided effective controls are in place and sufficient hearing protection has been given and worn.

However, hearing protection is considered a last resort. It’s better to control the causes of hearing loss in construction than simply hand out ear defenders.

The main cause of hearing loss in construction is regular exposure to loud noise.

Tools and machinery are the most common hazards. Saws, breakers, grinders, nail guns, excavators – all of them regularly produce sound levels well above 85 dB and can cause harm even during relatively short tasks.

Other common risks include:

• Using power tools or heavy equipment for extended periods
• Spending time near demolition work or metal cutting
• Failing to wear hearing protection, or not wearing it correctly
• Removing hearing protection briefly between tasks
• Working near multiple noisy jobs at once

(You don’t have to be operating noisy equipment yourself to be at risk – just standing nearby can be enough.)

Part of what makes noise so dangerous is that it doesn’t trigger the same warning signs as other hazards. Cut your hand or stub your toe, and the pain is instant. Even bright lights force a reaction. But loud noise is different. It might be uncomfortable, but you can work for hours in an environment above the 87 dB limit without realising the permanent damage being done.

Most work-related hearing loss is what’s called sensorineural hearing loss. It happens when tiny hair cells inside the inner ear, which carry sound to the brain, are crippled by loud noise.

Damage to these cells is permanent. They don’t heal or regrow over time, and there are currently no treatments available. Hearing aids are potentially the only solution, but your hearing will never fully recover. This is why preventing noise-induced hearing loss in the first place is crucial.

Preventing hearing loss in construction starts with reducing noise exposure. The law requires employers to do everything reasonably practicable to reduce the risks, following the hierarchy of controls.

The most effective way to control noise is to eliminate the source. That might mean using hand tools, fitting mufflers, or isolating noisy equipment from work areas. Barriers and distance can also help reduce exposure, especially when multiple trades are working at once.

But these methods aren’t always practical. Certain jobs need noisy equipment. Construction sites are also typically busy and constantly changing, so installing permanent barriers or protections isn’t realistic.

In these cases, limiting exposure is the next best step. Rotating tasks will prevent workers from being exposed to excessive noise levels for long periods. You should also schedule quieter tasks (like painting or measuring) alongside louder ones to avoid doubling up on noise.

If noise levels still exceed safe limits, hearing protection becomes essential. But it only works if it’s:

• Worn consistently
• Fitted properly
• Maintained in good condition
• Chosen for the specific task or environment

Prevention also depends on proper planning and training. Workers need to be made aware of noise risks and know where and how to use control measures, including hearing protection.

While it’s impossible to reverse noise-induced hearing loss, you can save what you do have if you act quickly.

Spotting the early signs can prevent further harm. Symptoms to be aware of include:

• Ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Difficulty hearing conversations, especially with background noise
• Needing to turn up radios or headphones louder than before
• Feeling like people are mumbling or not speaking clearly
• Struggling to hear warning signals or alarms on site

Anyone experiencing these symptoms should report them to their employer immediately and request a hearing check.

If you experience a loss of hearing and believe it’s related to your work, don’t ignore it. Speak to your employer as soon as possible and request a hearing check through occupational health or your GP.

You may be able to make a hearing loss claim, especially if your job regularly exposed you to high noise levels and protection wasn’t in place. The first step is to seek medical advice and keep a record of your symptoms, as well as any workplace conditions that may have caused them.

Preventing hearing loss in construction starts with awareness. Workers need to understand the risks and how to manage them.

Our online Noise Awareness Training course highlights the risks and requirements of working in loud environments. It provides an overview of legal duties, including noise risk assessment and the control measures that protect workers on site.

Most importantly, it helps construction workers understand why hearing protection is vital. Access the training now to raise awareness and reduce the risk of hearing loss across your workforce.