The activities regulations § 38

§ 38 Noise

The employer shall ensure that no employees are exposed to hazardous noise. Limit values for hazardous noise are for daily noise exposure LEX12h = 83 dB and for peak sound pressure level LpC,peak = 130 dB.
The exposure action value is LEX12h = 80 dB(A) and LpCpeak = 130 dBC. If the action value is exceeded, risk-reducing measures shall be considered.
Qualified risk assessments shall be carried out, cf. Section 18 of the Management Regulations. These shall cover all aspects of significance for clarifying health and safety hazards as regards exposure to noise.
The work shall be planned and conducted in such a manner that the employees are protected against noise and such that the noise load is reduced to the extent possible. Measures shall be implemented to the extent possible as regards the technical development, or in some other manner limiting the noise exposure in duration and intensity. This also entails that work shall be organised with sufficient noise-free periods.
The employer shall ensure that employees and safety delegates receive continuous information and training on relevant risks in connection with noise if the employees are exposed to noise equal to or exceeding LEX12h = 80 dB or LpC,peak = 130 dB.
Section last changed: 01 January 2018

Exposure action value as mentioned in this section, does not replace, but shall be seen in the context of, requirements related to risk reduction, cf. Section 11 of the Framework Regulations.
The risk assessment as mentioned in the third subsection, shall in particular take into account
  1. exposure level, type and duration and exposure to impulse noise such as impacts and bangs,
  2. effect on health and safety of employees who are especially exposed to risk,
  3. any effect on the employees’ health and safety due to interaction of noise and chemical substances and between noise and vibrations in the work, to the extent possible,
  4. indirect effects on the employees’ health and safety due to the noise's effect on the ability to register warning signals or other sounds that shall be audible to reduce the risk of accidents,
  5. the manufacturer's information on the noise level of the working equipment,
  6. whether alternative working equipment exists which gives lower noise exposure,
  7. exposure to noise beyond regular working hours which falls under the employer's responsibility,
  8. relevant information from health surveys, and other published information, to the extent possible, and
  9. availability of hearing protection with sufficient sound reduction.
Information and training for the employees as mentioned in the fifth subsection, should especially include
  1. the risk assessment made, and the measures implemented,
  2. limit values and action values,
  3. measurement results,
  4. when there is a need for hearing protection and training in correct use, risk related to noise and how signs of hearing injuries can be discovered and how they shall be reported,
  5. under which terms they are entitled to medical examination and the purpose of the examination,
  6. ensure working methods that limit noise exposure to the extent possible, and
  7. the risk of health injury potentially caused by the use of working equipment.