Industrial noise

Industrial noise, or occupational noise, is often a term used in relation to environmental health and safety, rather than nuisance, as sustained exposure can cause permanent hearing damage. Industrial noise is a hazard traditionally linked to heavy industries such as ship-building and associated with noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), a form of occupational hearing loss. Modern thinking in occupational safety and health further identifies noise as hazardous to worker safety and health in many places of employment and by a variety of means.

Noise can cause hearing impairment at long-term exposures of over 85 decibels (known as an exposure action value), and it also acts as a causal factor for stress and raises systolic blood pressure.

Noise can be a causal factor in work accidents, both by masking hazards and warning signals, and by impeding concentration. Noise acts synergistically with other hazards to increase the risk of harm to workers. In particular, noise and dangerous substances (e.g. some solvents) that have some tendencies towards ototoxicity may give rise to rapid ear damage.