Frequently asked questions

Within the context of the working conditions policy, the employer must record in writing which risks the work entails in an inventory and evaluation. This risk inventory and evaluation contains a description of the hazards and the risk-limiting measures indicated in an action plan. Noise poses both auditory and non-auditory risks to the health and well-being of exposed people. The soundscape must therefore be identified and kept up to date.

Please contact us via telephone, email, or via the website. We will inform you about the process that must be followed. We will find a date and time that suits us both when our specialist will come to your premises, without obligation to give suggestions about the measurement locations. If you have a list of such measurement locations, such a visit is not necessary. A quotation is prepared based on the list. After we reach an agreement, we will decide an a measurement day when the audiologist can come and perform the measurements on sit. You will receive the noise report a few days after the measurement day.

The Tympro employee starts with his measurements at the agreed time. This normally starts when the earliest work shift starts. The participants who represent the agreed measurement locations each receive a sound dosimeter. They are asked to keep a time schedule of their activities and locations. During the measurement day, the audiologist walks around and takes manual measurements at several locations and takes notes. At the end of the shift, the dosimeters and time schedules are collected.

Strict rules apply in both the Netherlands and Belgium (based on European Directive 2003/10/EC). There is a simple rule of thumb: from 80 decibels, only the employer needs to take action, and from 85 decibels, the employee must also take action.

1. The threshold values

As soon as the average noise level over an 8-hour working day (LEX,8h) reaches 80 dB(A), or there are peak observations of 135 dB(C), the following obligations apply:

• Employer: Legally obliged to provide hearing protection (such as earplugs) to employees.
• Employee: Not required to wear protective gear, but it is strongly recommended.
• Prevention: The employer must provide information about the risks and offer employees the opportunity to undergo an audiometric examination (hearing test).

2. The action values

This is the critical point. If the daily dose (LEX,8h) averages 85 dB(A) or higher, or if there are peak noises of 137 dB(C), the following rules apply (in addition to the rules that already applied above).

• Mandatory wearing: Wearing hearing protection is now a legal requirement for employees.
• Enforcement: The employer is obliged to monitor usage (enforce). Simply “offering” is no longer sufficient.
• Marking: Workplaces where this limit is exceeded must be marked with pictograms and, where possible, cordoned off.
• Action plan: The employer must draw up an action plan to reduce noise at source (technical or organisational measures).

3. The absolute limit values

There is an absolute maximum average daily dose of 87 dB(A) or peak noise levels above or equal to 140 dB(C). The attenuating effect of hearing protection may be taken into account for these values.

• Rule: The average noise level in the ear (i.e. under the protector) must never exceed 87 dB(A). If this is exceeded, work must be stopped immediately so that measures can be taken to reduce exposure. The causes of the exposure must also be identified and measures adapted to prevent recurrence.

Applicable regulations:

• The Netherlands: Working Conditions Decree Chapter 6, Section 3 (Noise)
• Belgium: Codex on well-being at work, Book V, Title 2 (Noise)

When determining the damping values, first and foremost, the protective base is taken into account. This is determined based on the sound levels in the company. We base this on noise reports prepared in the past by us or by another party. If there are no measurements of this, we will make an estimate based on the industry and activities. Secondly, the avoidance of overprotection (too large attenuation value) is always taken into account, which in itself leads to higher acceptance of the hearing protection, which is of course beneficial for hearing health. The manageable attenuation values of otoplastics have an adjustment range between 20 dB and 35 dB.