Acoustic protection for personnel
Exposure to noise in the workplace is a major health, safety and performance issue for industrial companies. Noisy working environments can generate hearing hazards, degraded working conditions and reduced productivity. As an independent acoustics consultancy, SIM Engineering supports employers in the assessment, control and reduction of noise pollution, to ensure staff protection and regulatory compliance.
Challenges of noise exposure in the workplace
In many industrial sectors, employees are exposed to high noise levels due to the operation of machines, manufacturing processes or technical installations. Prolonged exposure to noise can lead to irreversible hearing disorders, such as occupational deafness, as well as extra-auditory effects such as stress, fatigue or concentration problems.
Acoustic protection for employees is part of a comprehensive approach to occupational risk prevention. Its aim is to improve the acoustic comfort of workstations, reduce health risks and maintain operating conditions compatible with safety, quality and industrial performance requirements.
Regulatory framework and employer obligations
Regulations governing noise in the workplace require employers to assess and control employee noise exposure. The French Labor Code sets limit values and daily exposure thresholds, defined in particular by Decree no. 2006-892 of July 19, 2006, above which preventive action must be taken.
These regulatory thresholds concern both average exposure levels over eight hours (Lex,8h) and peak sound pressure levels. Acoustic analysis enables measured levels to be compared with values of 80, 85 and 87 dBA, as well as with thresholds of 135, 137 and 140 dBC, in order to determine precisely the employer’s obligations in terms of informing staff, reducing noise at source and providing personal protective equipment.
Acoustic measurements and workstation diagnostics
Protecting employees requires a precise understanding of the actual noise environment at workstations. SIM Engineering conducts acoustic measurement campaigns in the workplace in accordance with current standards, including ISO 9612 (June 2025) on the determination of noise exposure in the workplace.
Investigations may include individual dosimetry measurements taken over a full day or at a representative workstation. This methodology makes it possible to determine the daily noise exposure level Lex,8h, corresponding to the employee’s average exposure, as well as the peak sound pressure level LpCcrête.
Measurements are taken under conditions representative of the activity in question, in order to accurately identify the dominant sound sources, risk situations and the workstations most exposed to noise.
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Our personnel protection services
SIM Engineering is involved in all issues relating to the acoustic protection of employees. Services include acoustic diagnosis of workshops, production areas and workstations, as well as assessment of individual and collective noise exposure.
The results are analyzed from both a regulatory and operational perspective, allowing for the prioritization of action items. Noise maps can be created to visualize high-risk areas, machinery that generates high noise levels, and the spatial distribution of noise levels within the workshops.
Where necessary, acoustic modelling is carried out to anticipate the impact of new equipment, site modifications or process changes, and to integrate noise issues right from the design phase.
Noise reduction solutions and improved working conditions
Once the acoustic diagnosis has been completed, SIM Engineering makes technical recommendations designed to achieve a lasting reduction in employee noise exposure. The approach gives priority to reducing noise at source, by optimizing equipment, processes or operating conditions.
Proposed actions may include acoustic treatment of machines, insulation of noisy sources, redesign of workstations, installation of acoustic screens or reorganization of layouts and flows. These solutions are defined taking into account industrial constraints, safety and continuity of operation.
The aim is to achieve a measurable reduction in noise levels while preserving plant functionality and team performance.
Company support and sustainable prevention
Acoustic protection for personnel is part of a sustainable and progressive prevention approach. SIM Engineering assists companies in monitoring noise levels, evaluating the effectiveness of actions taken, and adapting solutions to changing activities.
The involvement of an independent acoustics consultancy guarantees an objective assessment, in line with standards and regulatory requirements. The studies carried out are a decision-making tool for HSE managers, technical departments and operators, contributing to the continuous improvement of working conditions.
Protecting employee health and plant performance
Carrying out an acoustic study dedicated to the protection of personnel makes it possible to reduce hearing risks, improve sound comfort and meet regulatory obligations in terms of noise in the workplace. Thanks to its recognized acoustic expertise and pragmatic approach to industrial environments, SIM Engineering helps companies implement effective solutions that reconcile employee health, safety and operational performance.
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