This Environmental Health & Safety guideline documentation is intended for workers on campus.
Noise is often defined as annoying sounds; however, it is important to note that聽one person鈥檚 sounds may be another person鈥檚 noise. Not only can noise be聽annoying but it can also cause permanent damage to the ear, destroy hearing聽and create physical and psychological stress.
Noise is often defined as annoying sounds; however, it is important to note that聽one person鈥檚 sounds may be another person鈥檚 noise. Not only can noise be聽annoying but it can also cause permanent damage to the ear, destroy hearing聽and create physical and psychological stress. Hearing loss is a natural part of聽aging; however exposure to excessive noise, typically above 85 decibels, can聽lead to Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL).
An office setting would not typically approach noise levels of 85 decibels聽however; equipment and various operations carried out on campus may reach聽levels which could potentially be harmful to hearing. Environmental Health and聽Safety has the capability to monitor sound levels in and around work areas to聽determine if sound control measures are necessary to limit noise exposure. If聽noise levels are monitored and determined to be above acceptable levels, a聽noise dosimeter is also available to determine employee total daily exposure.聽Daily exposure data can then be used to determine which, if any, controls are聽necessary to limit employee exposure.
If you believe you are exposed to excessive noise in the work place please聽contact EH&S to schedule a time to assess the situation by either calling 303-492-6025 or emailing聽ehs@colorado.edu.