Noise exposure calculator: daily personal exposure
The calculator needs JavaScript. The worked example, formula and figures below show exactly how it works, so you can do the sum yourself. A guide, not advice. Check your supplier's or maker's figures before ordering.
Short answer
Worked example
| You enter | Value |
|---|---|
| Noisy tasks today | Cut-off saw: noise level laeq 95 dB(A), time exposed 120 min |
| Lower exposure action value | 80 dB(A) |
| Upper exposure action value | 85 dB(A) |
| Exposure limit value | 87 dB(A) |
Daily noise exposure LEP,d 89.0 dB(A): at or above the upper exposure action value
- Advisory LEP,d against the lower exposure action value: 88.979 dB(A) UK-wide: Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, reg. 4. Check with the source
- Advisory LEP,d against the upper exposure action value: 88.979 dB(A) UK-wide: Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, reg. 4. Check with the source
- Outside the guidance Exposure at the ear against the limit value: 88.979 dB(A) UK-wide: Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, reg. 4. Check with the source
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Daily personal noise exposure LEP,d | 89 dB(A) |
| Task | dB(A) | Minutes | Hours to the lower value alone | Hours to the upper value alone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cut-off saw | 95 | 120 | 0.25 | 0.8 |
Show the working
- Cut-off saw: (2 h ÷ 8) × 10^(95 ÷ 10); on its own it reaches 80 dB(A) after 0.25 h and 85 dB(A) after 0.8 h
- LEP,d = 10 × log10(sum of the terms above) = 89 dB(A)
How it works
- LEP,d = 10 × log10( Σ (tᵢ ÷ 8) × 10^(Lᵢ ÷ 10) ), with Lᵢ each task's level in dB(A) and tᵢ its time in hours
- Hours at one level before LEP,d reaches a value on its own = 8 × 10^((value − L) ÷ 10)
- At the ear = LEP,d − the reduction you enter for hearing protection; the limit value is checked at the ear
At or above the lower action value employers must assess the risk and provide information and training; at or above the upper action value hearing protection is required and a noise control programme is needed (HSE).
Hearing protectors give less in real use than the figure on the pack: HSE explains how to allow for this.
Reaching a value is not a target: reduce noise exposure as far as reasonably practicable. HSE's own calculator is the authority.
Our default (adjustable)
These are typical planning figures and our own allowances, not facts about your product. Change any of them in the calculator to match your bag, pack or tin.
| Figure | Our default (adjustable) | Kind | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower exposure action value | 80 dB(A) LEP,d | Regulation or HSE figure Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, reg. 4: lower exposure action value (daily personal exposure) Not yet checked against the source | hse.gov.uk (checked 19 October 2026) brief v2 S3: 80 dB(A) lower action value. Researcher to confirm, and the Northern Ireland (2006 NI) equivalent. |
| Upper exposure action value | 85 dB(A) LEP,d | Regulation or HSE figure Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, reg. 4: upper exposure action value (daily personal exposure) Not yet checked against the source | hse.gov.uk (checked 19 October 2026) brief v2 S3: 85 dB(A) upper action value. Researcher to confirm. |
| Exposure limit value | 87 dB(A) LEP,d | Regulation or HSE figure Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, reg. 4: exposure limit value (at the ear, taking account of hearing protection) Not yet checked against the source | hse.gov.uk (checked 19 October 2026) brief v2 S3: 87 dB(A) limit value. Researcher to confirm. |
Regulations and standards
- Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, reg. 4 (lower and upper exposure action values 80 and 85 dB(A); exposure limit value 87 dB(A))
- HSE daily noise exposure calculator
Explained: Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005.
The 2005 Regulations cover Great Britain; Northern Ireland has its own regulations with the same values. Researcher to confirm.