The effect of excessive noise is insidious over time. Some types of laboratory equipment, such as certain laser systems, as well as facilities where animals are housed, can produce significant noise exposure to workers. Noise measurement surveys can be conducted to determine the noise hazard. Where warranted by data, engineering controls such as enclosures or barriers around noisy equipment or between noisy areas and other work areas, can be considered.
Where noise levels cannot be abated and where laboratory personnel routinely experience excessive exposures, a hearing conservation programme that includes the use of hearing protection while working in hazardous noise and a medical monitoring programme to determine the effect of noise on the workers should be instituted.