5.3 Limits of exposure of seafarers to high-noise levels
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Maritime Safety Committee - Resolution MSC.337(91) – Adoption of the Code on Noise Levels on Board Ships – (Adopted on 30 November 2012)The Annex below is consolidated into Resolution MSC.337(91) - Annex – Code on Noise Levels on Board Ships - Chapter 5 – Noise Exposure Limits - 5.3 Limits of exposure of seafarers to high-noise levels

5.3 Limits of exposure of seafarers to high-noise levels

 Seafarers should not be exposed to noise in excess of the levels and durations shown in figure 5.1 and described in paragraphs 5.3.1 to 5.3.5.

Parent topic: Chapter 5 – Noise Exposure Limits

5.3.1 Maximum exposure with protection (zone A, Figure 1)

 No seafarer, even when wearing hearing protectors, should be exposed to levels exceeding 120 dB(A) or to an Leq (24) exceeding 105 dB(A).

5.3.2 Occasional exposure (zone B, Figure 1)

 Only occasional exposures should be allowed in zone B and hearing protectors with an attenuation between 25 and 35 dB(A) should be used.

5.3.3 Occasional exposure (zone C, Figure 1)

 In zone C only occasional exposures should be allowed and hearing protectors with an attenuation of at least 25 dB(A) should be used.

5.3.4 Daily exposure (zone D, Figure 1)

 If seafarers routinely work (daily exposure) in spaces with noise levels within zone D hearing protectors with an attenuation up to at least 25 dB(A) should be used and risk assessment and a hearing conservation programme may be considered.

5.3.5 Maximum exposure without protection (zone E, Figure 1)

 For exposures of less than eight hours, seafarers without hearing protection should not be exposed to noise levels exceeding 85 dB(A). When seafarers remain for more than eight hours in spaces with a high noise level, an Leq (24) of 80 dB(A) should not be exceeded. Consequently, for at least a third of each 24 hours each seafarer should be subject to an environment with a noise level below 75 dB(A).

Figure 1 Allowable daily and occasionally occupational zones

Note To work in Zone A – D hearing protectors attenuating the sound to the ear down to below 85 dB(A) are required. To work in Zone E hearing protectors are not required but should be accessible if the sound level is over 80 dB(A) for more than eight hours.

Copyright 2022 Clasifications Register Group Limited, International Maritime Organization, International Labour Organization or Maritime and Coastguard Agency. All rights reserved. Clasifications Register Group Limited, its affiliates and subsidiaries and their respective officers, employees or agents are, individually and collectively, referred to in this clause as 'Clasifications Register'. Clasifications Register assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable to any person for any loss, damage or expense caused by reliance on the information or advice in this document or howsoever provided, unless that person has signed a contract with the relevant Clasifications Register entity for the provision of this information or advice and in that case any responsibility or liability is exclusively on the terms and conditions set out in that contract.