Automobile garages and workshops are highly noisy environments. It is essential to properly equip the people who work there: bodyworkers, mechanics, welders, etc. Whether it's changing tires or repairing an engine, the tools used generate high levels of sound intensity. Discover in this article the loudest tools and effective solutions to protect workers' ears.
Noises reaching up to 134 decibels !
A scale conducted by the Interprofessional Occupational Health Center (see below) presents the noise levels of machines found in automotive workshops and garages. The findings are clear: all tools used emit noises exceeding the danger threshold of 85 decibels (dBA).
The pneumatic wrench is the loudest tool with a sound intensity measured at 134 decibels (dBA). The sound intensity is comparable to the noise emitted by a plane during takeoff. At this sound intensity, exposure for just a few seconds without hearing protection is enough to cause irreversible hearing damage.
What are the health risks for mechanics and garage workers ?
Garage workers are the first ones affected by these intense noise nuisances. Even seemingly harmless tools (like an air gun) have sound levels above the danger threshold (85 dBA). Therefore, the employer is obligated to provide effective hearing protection for the workers. Workers must ensure they always use hearing protection suitable for their tasks. Without protection, machines exceeding 85 dB(A) could damage their hearing irreversibly. As a reminder, a person can be exposed to a maximum of 8 hours at a sound intensity of 85 dB. Then, the exposure duration is halved for each 3 dB increase: 4 hours for 88 dB, 2 hours for 91 dB, 1 hour for 94 dB...
If hearing protection is not worn or not worn correctly by the workers, here are the risks they are exposed to:
Hearing loss
Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears)
Hyperacusis
Stress, anxiety & fatigue"
In addition to the risks directly related to workers' health, noise nuisances also have other consequences:
Decreased vigilance and increased workplace accidents
Impaired communication among colleagues
Reduced productivity
It is therefore essential for personnel managers in garages and workshops to be aware of the consequences associated with noise and to provide effective hearing protection. This is essential for both the well-being of employees and the company itself.
What solutions are available to protect workers from noise in automobile garages ?
Tools: Choosing high-quality tools helps reduce the noise and vibrations emanating from machines. The sound intensity of the tools is an important criterion when purchasing new equipment.
Layout: It is recommended to equip the room with acoustic paneling to minimize resonance. There are tricks to improve room acoustics to reduce noise in workshops.
Hearing Protection: Wearing hearing protection is mandatory for sound levels above 85 dB. The table below presents the 3 categories of hearing protection.
While helmets and foam plugs are often the standard solutions favored by employers, workers tend to not wear or quickly abandon this type of hearing protection. Indeed, helmets are heavy and therefore bulky and uncomfortable as they compress the head. They are ineffective because they move during manual work and are not compatible with other personal protective equipment (safety glasses, etc.). Foam plugs, on the other hand, are uncomfortable and ineffective as they fall out of the ears and do not properly protect workers' ears. Both types of protection also prevent workers from communicating with each other.
Wearing custom-made earplugs is the most effective and comfortable hearing protection. Indeed, custom earplugs are composed of a filter that reduces noise while maintaining the quality of conversations. Custom earplugs perfectly fit the shape of the ears and can be worn for 8 hours a day without causing discomfort. These earplugs are the only ones that effectively protect the ears by 100%. Earplugs are also more environmentally friendly and cost-effective as they are reusable and have a lifespan of approximately 5 years.
Discover custom-made hearing protection dedicated to the automotive repair sector by clicking on the following link: https://www.decilo.be/industry-earplugs?lang=fr
For more information on best practices in automobile garages, click on the links below: