Practical tools for occupational noise assessment and control.
Built for workplace assessment and better decision-making, this toolkit helps practitioners plan noise surveys, prepare instruments, collect field data, interpret exposure, map noisy areas and build clearer monitoring reports.
From noise readings to workplace health decisions.
Noise measurement is only useful when it helps organisations understand exposure, identify priority groups, select controls and sustain a practical hearing conservation programme.
IEH’s occupational noise toolkit currently supports survey planning, instrument setup checks, personal dosimetry field documentation, exposure calculation, noise mapping and report building. Additional tools will be developed progressively to support noise control selection, hearing protector review and programme management.
IEH practical assessment flow
Clarify site context, work processes, exposed groups and monitoring purpose.
Check instrument setup, calibration status, field forms and monitoring strategy before going on site.
Collect area noise and personal dosimetry data with defensible field records.
Translate data into exposure profiles, maps, findings and practical recommendations.
Toolkit modules
These six tools are currently available. They support key stages of occupational noise monitoring, from survey planning and fieldwork to exposure calculation, visualisation and reporting.
Noise Survey Planner
Plan departments, similar exposure groups, machinery, monitoring strategy, manpower, equipment and fieldwork scope before going on site.
Instrument Setup & Calibration Checklist
Record instrument settings, serial numbers, certificates, field calibration and post-monitoring checks to support data quality.
Personal Dosimetry Field Diary
Log task timelines, process changes, breaks, unusual events, hearing protector use and field observations during personal monitoring.
Noise Exposure Calculator
Estimate daily equivalent noise exposure from multiple task noise levels and durations using an energy-based calculation approach.
Noise Map Generator
Create a visual map of area noise readings and highlight machines, work areas or zones that may require further attention.
Noise Monitoring Report Builder
Convert field information into a structured draft noise monitoring report with findings, interpretation and recommendations.
How to use the toolkit in an occupational noise assessment
The tools are arranged around a practical occupational hygiene workflow, from recognising possible noise hazards to preparing a more complete assessment record.
Plan the survey
Use the Noise Survey Planner to define work groups, sources, monitoring objectives and survey scope.
Prepare equipment
Use the Instrument Setup & Calibration Checklist to document key equipment and quality checks.
Record field activity
Use the Personal Dosimetry Field Diary to capture task timelines, observations and monitoring context.
Interpret exposure
Use the Noise Exposure Calculator and Noise Map Generator to support exposure review and visualisation.
Build the report
Use the Noise Monitoring Report Builder to organise findings, observations and recommendations.
Who should use this toolkit?
Designed for practical workplace application, occupational hygiene reference and professional fieldwork support.
For practitioners
Support occupational noise assessment through structured survey planning, instrument checks, field documentation, exposure calculations, noise mapping and report preparation.
For companies and EHS teams
Use the toolkit as a practical support system for workplace noise risk management, hearing conservation planning, monitoring preparation and exposure review.
More tools are being developed
IEH will continue to expand this toolkit with additional practical tools for occupational noise control, hearing protector review, hearing conservation programme tracking and workplace noise risk communication. The current tools should be used as professional support resources and not as a replacement for a competent person’s formal assessment.
Strengthen occupational noise assessment and control with IEH.
IEH can support organisations through workplace noise assessment, noise mapping, monitoring strategy, instrument guidance, field data interpretation and practical control recommendations.