Personal noise monitoring measures a worker’s noise exposure over a full shift using a wearable device called a dosimeter. The dosimeter is typically attached near the shoulder to capture the noise levels the worker is actually exposed to throughout their normal tasks.

This monitoring provides a time-weighted average exposure (LAeq,8h), which is compared against workplace exposure limits to assess risk and determine if controls or hearing protection are required.

It is the most accurate way to understand individual noise exposure and demonstrate compliance with workplace health and safety requirements.

Personal noise monitoring should be completed when workers may be exposed to hazardous noise and repeated if tasks, equipment, or work practices change.

Yes. Personal monitoring measures an individual’s true daily exposure, allowing workplaces to implement appropriate controls and hearing protection before damage occurs.

In New Zealand, the workplace exposure standard for noise is 85 dB LAeq averaged over an 8-hour workday, with a 140 dB peak sound pressure limit. An action level of 80 dB LAeq is also recognised, meaning steps should be taken to assess and reduce noise exposure before it reaches harmful levels.

It depends on what you need to assess.

Area noise monitoring measures sound levels at specific locations on site. It’s useful for identifying noisy equipment, mapping areas, and checking compliance with environmental or site limits.

Personal noise monitoring involves a worker wearing a dosimeter to measure their noise exposure over a full shift. This is required to assess compliance with workplace exposure limits (e.g. LAeq,8h).

In most cases, personal monitoring is needed to understand worker risk, while area monitoring helps identify noise sources and guide control measures.