Noise Exposure Calculator: This table calculates the 8 hour equivalent sound exposure level

as per the equation in O.Reg 565/06. To use this table, enter the measured noise level (in
db(A)) and the amount of time and press ENTER.

Noise Level

Exposure Time

8 hr Equivalent
Exposure Level (Lex,8)

(in dB(A))

(hrs)

(min)

(in dB(A))

83

30

82.1

Lex,8
<80 dB(A)
80-85 dB(A)
85+ dB(A)

minimal risk of noise induced hearing loss

some risk of noise induced hearing loss
significant risk of noise induced hearing loss

Time Weighted Average Calculator: This table calculates the 8 hr equivalent sound exposure
level for different noise levels and for specified lengths of exposure time. To use this chart,
enter the amount of time spent performing each activity and the corresponding noise level.
Exposure Time
(hrs)
(min)
Activity 1
Activity 2
Activity 3
Activity 4
Activity 5
Activity 6
Activity 7
Activity 8
Activity 9
Activity 10
Activity 11

Noise Level
(dBA)

Dose
(%)

87
90
83
80
73

14.9%
46.1%
27.6%
7.9%
2.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%

Total
Time

Equivalent Noise
Exposure Level

Total
Dose

10.00

84.9

98.5%

45
10
30

1
3
2
2

35

Allowed Exposure Time Calculator: This table calculates the amount of time it takes to reach
either an equivalent 8-hr exposure or L ex,8 of 85 dB(A) (in yellow) or Lex,8 of 80 dB(A) (in green).
Enter the noise level and press ENTER and the result is provided both in hours and in minutes.

DO NOT USE FOR NOISE LEVELS ABOVE 112 dB(A)

Noise Level
(dBA)

Time
(in hrs)

Time
(in mins)

90

2.52
0.79

151.19
47.62

to not exceed Lex,8 of 85 dB(A)

to not exceed Lex,8 of 80 dB(A)

Noise Exposure Levels: The following chart estimates roughtly the amount of time it takes to
reach either an equivalent 8-hr exposure (L ex,8) of 85 dB(A) or an Lex,8 of 80 dB(A).

Sound Level
(in db(A))

Duration
(85 dBA Lex,8)
(hrs/24 hr day)

Duration
(80 dBA Lex,8)
(hrs/24 hr day)

Lex,8

80.25

24

80 dB(A)

little risk of noise induced hearing loss

81.5

18

85 dB(A)

some risk of noise induced hearing loss

82.0

16

83.25

12

84.0

10

85.0

86.25

88.0

89.25

91.0

40 min

92.25

30 min

94.0

20 min

97.0

30 min

10 min

100.0

15 min

5 min

101.8

10 min

3 min

104.8

5 min

1 min

111.8

1 min

20 sec

114.8

30 sec

10 sec

Over 115

No exposure?

No exposure?

The calculations performed in this spreadsheet are based on the following equation taken from
565/06 found at: http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Regs/English/900851_e.htm

where,
Lex,8 is the equivalent sound exposure level in 8 hours,
isthesumofthevaluesintheenclosedexpressionforallactivitiesfromi=1toi=n,
i is a discrete activity of a worker exposed to a sound level,
ti is the duration in hours of i,
SPLi is the sound level of i in dBA,
nisthetotalnumberofdiscreteactivitiesintheworkerstotalworkday

Questions or comments regarding this calculator should be forwarded to John Oudyk at 1-800-263-2129

O.Reg