Use the free daily noise exposure calculator

Work out a day's exposure

1. 1

   Open the daily noise exposure calculator from the free tools page

2. 2

   Under Activity 1, enter the Noise level (dB(A)) and how long it lasts in Hours and Minutes

   Activity (optional) is a label for you. Enter the level that represents what the person is exposed to during the activity.

3. 3

   Click Add another activity for each other noisy part of the day

4. 4

   Read the result under Daily exposure (LEP,d) without hearing protection and Total exposure points

   Each activity also shows its own points, its exposure on its own for the day, and how long it takes on its own to reach 80 and 85 dB(A).

Try HSE's worked example

Click Use HSE's worked example to load the example from HSE's guidance L108: 5 hours at 80 dB(A), 2 hours at 86 dB(A) and 45 minutes at 95 dB(A). Click Clear to start again.

What the result means

The box under the totals says whether the day is below the lower exposure action value (80 dB(A)), at or above it, or at or above the upper exposure action value (85 dB(A)). If the exposure without hearing protection is above 87 dB(A), it explains that the exposure limit value takes account of hearing protection.

The calculator is a guide. Your risk assessment decides the controls. The calculator page explains the formulas and the legal duties, with links to the sources.