Hearing protection for metalworkers and fabricators

How loud is sheet metal work?

As daily exposure, BG BAU gives 88 dB(A) for structural metalworkers and 91 dB(A) in steel construction. Grinding with an angle grinder has its own page: Hearing protection for metal grinders.

Which hearing protection in metalwork?

The daily exposure is an average over the shift. Anyone who wears hearing protection during the noisy tasks should match the attenuation to the level of that task. The table shows both.

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, steel constructionapprox. 91 dB(A)	Plasma cuttingapprox. 95 dB(A)	Straightening and hammeringapprox. 100 dB(A)
EP1227BWGDisposable foam earplugs EP1227BWG, SNR 37	26 dB	65 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection	69 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection	74 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended
EP902EP902 earmuffs EP902, SNR 33	26 dB	65 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection	69 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection	74 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended
EP001YReusable silicone earplugs EP001Y, SNR 32	24 dB	67 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection	71 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended	76 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended
EP906EP906 earmuffs EP906, SNR 30	23 dB	68 dB(A)Too strong?Check for overprotection	72 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended	77 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended
EP100BYBanded earplugs EP100BY, SNR 29	21 dB	70 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended	74 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended	79 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended
EP904EP904 earmuffs EP904, SNR 28	20 dB	71 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended	75 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended	80 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended
EP102BOBanded earplugs with conical tips EP102BO, SNR 27	19 dB	72 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended	76 dB(A)RecommendedRecommended	81 dB(A)Not rec.Not recommended

For straightening and hammering at around 100 dB(A), every hearing protector in the table is in the target range; only the light EP102BO banded earplugs are just above it with 81 dB(A). On the plasma cutter at around 95 dB(A), reusable earplugs, banded earplugs and earmuffs such as the EP906 fit; disposable foam earplugs and the EP902 attenuate slightly more than necessary there, with 69 dB(A) at the ear. For the daily exposure of 91 dB(A), the EP100BY banded earplugs, the EP102BO and the EP904 earmuffs fit, with 70 to 72 dB(A).

In the fabrication shop and on steelwork

• With safety glasses: earplugs, because spectacle arms break the seal of earmuffs (BG BAU).
• Switching between machine, assembly and meetings: earmuffs are quicker to put on and take off.
• Continuous noise at a press or punch over the whole shift: earplugs, which BG BAU recommends for continuous noise exposure.
• Mark noise areas where the daily exposure can exceed 85 dB(A) (Article 5(3) of Directive 2003/10/EC).