Hearing protection for airport apron staff

How loud is it on the apron?

The study (Gugliermetti et al., ICA 2010) measured sound levels for all tasks involved in handling an aircraft and calculated the daily exposure from them. The main results:

• Catering: the only task below 80 dB(A) daily exposure.
• Transporters and toilet service (4 hours a day): above 80 but below 85 dB(A).
• All others, such as container loaders, belt loaders, refuelling and push-back: 85 dB(A) or more. With six hours a day and together with other noise sources, push-back, potable water service and belt loaders are above 87 dB(A).
• Push-back: while the aircraft is pushed back from the stand, 90 dB(A) in the vehicle with peaks around 118.5 dB(C).
• Near the loading and unloading equipment for baggage and cargo: 80 to 85 dB(A).

What happens at the same time is decisive. With transporters and container loaders working nearby, the study measured 88 dB(A) at the belt loader instead of 83.3 dB(A) when it operated alone. Peak levels were at most around 120 dB(C), well below the action value of 135 dB(C).

Which hearing protection on the apron?

Level at the ear = level − (M − real-world deduction), HML check according to DGUV Rule 112-194 (2024). Target range 70 to 80 dB(A). A calculated guide that does not replace a risk assessment.

Hearing protection	Effective	Daily exposureapprox. 85 dB(A)	Daily exposure, 6 hoursapprox. 87 dB(A)	Push-back, in the vehicleapprox. 90 dB(A)
EP1227BWGDisposable foam earplugs EP1227BWG, SNR 37	26 dB	59 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection	61 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection	64 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection
EP902EP902 earmuffs EP902, SNR 33	26 dB	59 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection	61 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection	64 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection
EP001YReusable silicone earplugs EP001Y, SNR 32	24 dB	61 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection	63 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection	66 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection
EP906EP906 earmuffs EP906, SNR 30	23 dB	62 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection	64 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection	67 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection
EP100BYBanded earplugs EP100BY, SNR 29	21 dB	64 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection	66 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection	69 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection
EP904EP904 earmuffs EP904, SNR 28	20 dB	65 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection	67 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection	70 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended
EP102BOBanded earplugs with conical tips EP102BO, SNR 27	19 dB	66 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection	68 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection	71 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended

For daily exposures of 85 to 87 dB(A), every hearing protector in the EarProtect range attenuates more than necessary by calculation. The closest are the EP102BO banded earplugs and the EP904 earmuffs; in the push-back vehicle at 90 dB(A), both reach the target range. On the apron this is not a detail: radio, shouts and warning signals must get through. Have the selection checked in the risk assessment, see Overprotection.

On the apron

• Frequent switching between aircraft, vehicle and hangar: earmuffs are quick to put on and take off.
• Banded earplugs hang around the neck during breaks and are ready for use again at once.
• Train seasonal staff: the study draws particular attention to seasonal workers in simple manual tasks. How training works is described under Hearing protection training.
• Mark noise areas where the daily exposure can exceed 85 dB(A) (Article 5(3) of Directive 2003/10/EC).