Scout's Toolbox Talks

You can’t protect against noise you don’t measure. Many workers are exposed to dangerous sound levels without realizing it.

Why It Matters:

OSHA sets legal limits on noise exposure, but many job sites don’t measure sound levels — leaving crews at risk for long-term hearing loss. Understanding your environment helps you choose the right protection and stay compliant.

Key Points:

• Use a decibel meter or a noise monitoring app to measure sound levels.
• 85 dB for 8 hours is the legal threshold — anything louder requires hearing protection.
• Common site sounds:
  • Circular saw = 100 dB
  • Jackhammer = 110 dB
  • Impact wrench = 102 dB
• Short exposure to high-decibel noise can be more damaging than long exposure to moderate levels.
• Supervisors should identify and post signage for high-noise areas.

✅ If you don’t measure it, you’re guessing — and guessing is dangerous.

Ask the Crew:

• Do we know how loud today’s tasks are?
• Are decibel levels being tracked on this site?

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