Hearing protection for construction workers

Noise levels on site by trade

Why hearing protection matters so much on site

Noise-induced hearing loss cannot be cured. According to BG BAU, it is the second most common occupational disease in Germany; BG BAU alone recognises around 1,000 cases every year (as of 2011).

It is not only the people at the machine who are at risk. BG BAU expressly points out that workers close to noisy work can also damage their hearing. If a tool bears the mandatory sign “Wear ear protection”, you can assume that the daily noise exposure will be exceeded when it is used. Hearing protection should then be worn even for short jobs.

Which hearing protection for construction workers?

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 exposure, labourersapprox. 89 dB(A)	Impact drillapprox. 97 dB(A)	Circular sawapprox. 101 dB(A)
EP1227BWGDisposable foam earplugs EP1227BWG, SNR 37	26 dB	63 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection	71 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended	75 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended
EP902EP902 earmuffs EP902, SNR 33	26 dB	63 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection	71 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended	75 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended
EP001YReusable silicone earplugs EP001Y, SNR 32	24 dB	65 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection	73 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended	77 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended
EP906EP906 earmuffs EP906, SNR 30	23 dB	66 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection	74 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended	78 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended
EP100BYBanded earplugs EP100BY, SNR 29	21 dB	68 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection	76 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended	80 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended
EP904EP904 earmuffs EP904, SNR 28	20 dB	69 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection	77 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended	81 dB(A)Not rec.Not recommended
EP102BOBanded earplugs with conical tips EP102BO, SNR 27	19 dB	70 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended	78 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended	82 dB(A)Not rec.Not recommended

For the daily exposure of around 89 dB(A), only the EP102BO banded earplugs just reach the target range, with 70 dB(A) at the ear; everything else attenuates more than necessary by calculation. But hearing protection is worn during the noisy work. On the impact drill (97.2 dB(A), measured by AUVA on construction sites), every hearing protector in the table is in the target range. On the hand-held circular saw (101.3 dB(A)), disposable and reusable earplugs, the EP100BY banded earplugs and the EP902 and EP906 earmuffs fit; the EP904 and the EP102BO are just above, at 81 and 82 dB(A). For low-frequency noise, such as from excavators or bulldozers, the DGUV calculates with the L value; the hearing protection finder shows this.

Earplugs or earmuffs on site?

BG BAU gives clear guidance:

• Earmuffs if hearing protection is often put on and taken off, if you are prone to ear canal infections or produce a lot of earwax.
• Earplugs for continuous noise, if you sweat heavily under earmuffs, when you wear glasses or safety glasses at the same time and when hearing the direction of sounds matters.

On site, this usually means both: disposable or reusable earplugs for crews exposed to continuous noise, earmuffs for everyone who switches between noisy and quiet work.