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Noise levels at work: measured values by machine and trade

Hand tools such as angle grinders, circular saws and pneumatic nailers reach 96 to 102 dB(A) in use; grinding inside vessels reaches up to 115 dB(A). From a daily exposure of 85 dB(A), the employer must make sure hearing protection is worn; from 80 dB(A), it must be made available. All values below are published measurements with their source.

As of 13 October 2026, DS SafetyWear Arbeitsschutzprodukte GmbH

Machines and tasks

Sound levels during work, sorted by level. LAeq: mean of the measurements while the task is running; “typical value”: figure given by the source without a measurement series. These values are not daily exposures.
Task or machineLevel in dB(A)MeasureSourceTrade
Grinding inside vesselsup to 115typical valueBAuA Fb 847Metal grinders
Rough grinding, vessel and shipbuildingapprox. 107typical valueBAuA Fb 847Metal grinders
Pneumatic chisel106.9LAeq, 14 measurementsAUVA Report 83Vehicle body repairers
Disconnecting the air line on a trailer105task LAeqBGHW W2-42–
Petrol chainsaw (workshop)101.9LAeqAUVA Report 85Carpenters
Pneumatic saw101.5LAeq, 81 measurementsAUVA Report 83Vehicle body repairers
Hand-held circular saw (building site)101.3LAeqAUVA Report 85Carpenters
Bowl chopper without lidapprox. 100typical continuous levelSuva 86373Butchers
Pneumatic nailer (workshop)99.9LAeqAUVA Report 85Carpenters
Pneumatic wire brush98.3LAeq, 39 measurementsAUVA Report 83Vehicle body repairers
Hand-held circular saw (workshop)98.2LAeqAUVA Report 85Joiners
Beam planer98.0LAeqAUVA Report 85Carpenters
Straightening97.4LAeq, 66 measurementsAUVA Report 83Vehicle body repairers
Hammer drill (building site)97.2LAeqAUVA Report 85Carpenters
Mitre saw97.2LAeqAUVA Report 85Joiners
Hand planer96.9LAeqAUVA Report 85Joiners
Compressed air gun96.8LAeq, 151 measurementsAUVA Report 83Vehicle body repairers
Angle grinder96.6LAeq, 154 measurementsAUVA Report 83Metal grinders
Pneumatic impact wrench95.9LAeq, 154 measurementsAUVA Report 83Vehicle body repairers
Splitting saw, primary cuttingapprox. 95typical continuous levelSuva 86373Butchers
Sliding table saw94.7LAeqAUVA Report 85Joiners
Spindle moulder93.2LAeqAUVA Report 85Joiners
Unloading heavy scrap92task LAeqBGHW W2-40–
Bowl chopper91.6LpAeq, 150 measurementsBGN noise compendiumButchers
Belt grindingapprox. 90typical valueDGUV Information 209-019Metal grinders
Push-back tug, apron90level in the vehicleGugliermetti et al. 2010Airport apron
Multihead weigher89.7LpAeq, 107 measurementsBGN noise compendiumButchers
Band saw88.8LAeqAUVA Report 85Joiners
Sausage clipping machine87.9LpAeq, 40 measurementsBGN noise compendiumButchers
MIG/MAG welding87.8LAeq, 83 measurementsAUVA Report 83Vehicle body repairers
Random orbital sander85.3LAeq, 111 measurementsAUVA Report 83Vehicle body repairers

Daily exposure by trade

Daily noise exposure LEX,8h. BG BAU: measurements by the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the DGUV, February 2011; AUVA: mean values.
Trade or taskDaily exposure in dB(A)Source
Crash barrier installers101BG BAU, noise guide
Corrosion protection workers100BG BAU
Demolition: drilling and sawing concrete97BG BAU
Sewer construction workers95BG BAU
Track construction workers94BG BAU
Carpenters91BG BAU
Construction labourers89BG BAU
Bricklayers88BG BAU
Vehicle body repairers87.1AUVA Report 83
Roofers87BG BAU
Joiners, workshop86.7AUVA Report 85
Apron: container loaders, belt loaders, refuelling, push-back85 or moreGugliermetti et al. 2010
Tilers84BG BAU
Motor mechanics81.0AUVA Report 83

How to read the values

  • Task levels (LAeq) apply while the machine is running. The daily exposure (LEX,8h) is averaged over the whole shift.
  • 3 dB more means twice the sound energy: at 88 dB(A), a daily exposure of 85 dB(A) is reached after four hours, at 91 dB(A) after two.
  • The values are examples from measurement programmes. Your risk assessment needs values from your own workplace, measured to EN ISO 9612.

Action and limit values

Source: Directive 2003/10/EC, Articles 3 and 7. The UK Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 use the same values. Germany is stricter at the ear: there, 85 dB(A) and 137 dB(C) must not be exceeded with hearing protection (§ 8(2) LärmVibrationsArbSchV).
ValueDaily exposurePeak levelConsequence
Lower exposure action value80 dB(A)135 dB(C)Employer makes hearing protection available
Upper exposure action value85 dB(A)137 dB(C)Employer makes sure hearing protection is worn
Exposure limit value, at the ear with hearing protection87 dB(A)140 dB(C)must never be exceeded

Which hearing protection fits?

70 to 80 dB(A) should reach the ear. How much attenuation you need for that is shown by the hearing protection finder; the values of all models are in the attenuation table. Measured values per trade and suitable hearing protection are on the occupation pages.

Frequently asked questions

How loud is an angle grinder?

96.6 dB(A) on average, determined by AUVA from 154 measurements in motor vehicle workshops.

How loud is a circular saw?

98.2 dB(A) in the workshop and 101.3 dB(A) on the building site (AUVA Report 85).

At what decibel level is hearing protection required?

From a daily exposure of 85 dB(A) or a peak level of 137 dB(C), hearing protection must be worn. From 80 dB(A), the employer must make it available.

Sources

Further reading