Short bursts like that still count toward a full day's noise exposure. Run the free 60-second check before you spec anything.
Start with the moment everyone already knows is loud.
A road breaker is the obvious one. The real exposure figure comes from everything across the whole working day, not just the loudest moment — and that figure is only known once a site is actually measured.
A road breaker clears 100 dB(A) in seconds.
Hand-arm vibration and hearing exposure, both from the same tool.
Every site is different. Every assessment is too.
Real readings for this site, this plant, this crew.
£0 to find out if you have a problem.
You only pay for the full report once you know you want it.
A road breaker on concrete, one typical shift, against the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 action and limit values.
80dB(A)
Lower action value
85dB(A)
Upper action value
87dB(A)
Exposure limit value
94dB(A)
Construction settle*
*Illustrative settle value for a road-breaker task, shown against the real action and limit values above. Site noise sources on this scale typically range 88–105 dB(A) depending on the plant and task. This is a sample, not your site — your own site is only known once it’s actually measured.
One loud moment hides the whole day
Real numbers. Real evidence. Site by site, UK-wide.
A road breaker striking concrete is one of the loudest moments on any site — but it's rarely the only noise source across a working day.
Short bursts like that still count toward a full day’s noise exposure under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, the same as continuous noise.
Real exposure levels for your own site and plant, checked against the 80 / 85 / 87 dB(A) action and limit values — not a generic industry figure.
What one assessment actually tells you
One assessment measures the whole site, task by task — not just the obvious moment everyone already knows is loud. Site noise sources on this scale typically range 88-105 dB(A) depending on the plant and task; your own site is only known once it's actually measured.
What people ask
Does this apply to a small site, or only large contractors?
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 apply to any workplace, including a small site with a handful of operatives. Size doesn’t change the duty, only how many roles need checking.
Is the road breaker the only thing that counts?
No. Breakers, saws, compressors and other plant all add to a full day’s exposure — the assessment measures the whole working day, not one tool in isolation.
Is a desk-based estimate good enough?
No. A real assessment is based on your own site and your own plant, not a generic industry figure borrowed from somewhere else.
Is seeing whether I have a problem free?
Yes. Seeing whether there’s a problem is free. You only pay once you know you want the full report.
Is this a guarantee my site is compliant?
No. It’s a calibrated assessment against the real action and limit values, not a certification or a legal guarantee.
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