Noise and Vibration Risk: Limit Values, Assessment and Prevention

Physical agents that harm in silence

Noise and vibration are among the most widespread physical agents in industrial settings. Their effects — noise-induced hearing loss, hand-arm vibration syndrome, low-back disorders from whole-body vibration — build up slowly and often become irreversible before being perceived as a problem. That is why assessment and prevention are mandatory and continuous.

The framework: Title VIII of Decree 81/08

Physical agents are governed by Title VIII of Legislative Decree 81/08. Chapter II covers noise, Chapter III mechanical vibration.

Values for noise

The law sets precise daily exposure thresholds (LEX,8h):

• Lower action value: 80 dB(A) — information, training and provision of hearing PPE are triggered.
• Upper action value: 85 dB(A) — mandatory use of hearing PPE and health surveillance.
• Exposure limit value: 87 dB(A) (with peak sound pressure ppeak = 200 Pa, i.e. 140 dB(C)) — must never be exceeded, taking PPE attenuation into account.

Vibration

A distinction is made between hand-arm vibration (HAV, from tools like breakers and grinders) and whole-body vibration (WBV, typical of vehicles and trucks). Here too Title VIII defines daily action and limit values.

Risk assessment

The assessment, integrated into the Risk Assessment Document, is based on measurements or reliable databases and considers the level, type and duration of exposure. It is the basis for choosing the right measures.

Prevention measures

At the source

The priority is to reduce noise and vibration at the source: quieter machines, maintenance, isolation, low-vibration tools, damped seats. Acting on the source is always more effective than on the individual worker.

Organisational

Job rotation, limiting exposure times, breaks: measures that reduce the accumulated dose. The topic connects to sound overall management of the worker's physical effort.

PPE and surveillance

When exposure exceeds action values, hearing PPE (plugs, muffs) becomes essential: their choice, adequacy and correct use fall within personal protective equipment training. Health surveillance by the occupational physician monitors effects over time.

In short

Noise and vibration are fought by knowing the Title VIII values (for noise, a limit of 87 dB(A)), measuring exposure, acting first at the source, and integrating PPE and health surveillance. Early prevention avoids harm that would be permanent.