Originally Posted by
fransknorge
Thanks for an interesting reference. In Table 2 is listed the noise levels from take-off, during cruising and approach, with measurements of 82-85.5 dB (A).
Trying to find any EU legislation, I was unsuccessful. Did find a reference on Wikipedia about the US recommendation to employers:
Any workplace that exposes workers to excessive sound levels is required to ensure that the hearing function of their workers is adequately protected. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provide laws and regulations clarified by the United States department of labor. Generated by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, OSHA was created with the mission to assure all working conditions are safe and healthy. All employers must follow this hearing amendment, including private sector employers, and excluding those who are self-employed, family farm workers, and government workers. Separate laws and regulations are enacted for specialized working environments. These include the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), which provide specific regulation for miners and railroad workers.[23]
[24]
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) generated a criteria document consisting of a “best practice guide” recommended by OSHA to all employers. This document is recommended to be followed, but is not required as OSHA laws and regulation are. The regulations provided by NIOSH are much more conservative, and it provides scientific basis for occupational safety and health standards. For example, the permissible exposure limit for OSHA is >90 dBA, while NIOSH is >85 dBA. They recommend the implementation or promotion of these conservative standards alongside the standards of the designated administration (OSHA, MSHA, or FRA) of the employer.
Implicating this to an A321 would actually mean an occupational hazard for CC, at least during take-offs. As passengers are not employed, I would doubt that occasional exposure to levels over 85 dB (A) would be banned, even for the most frequent flyers
I'll certainly use noise-cancelling before take-off on any A321, but I still would see any public authority, scientific institution, Air travel magazine or whoever interested, to map out the noise exposure in aircraft cabins, just as is done on the ground to see what people living close to airports are exposed to