Noise in the office and on the shop floor - what standards apply in 2026?

2026-06-25

Noise can effectively make life miserable, which is why occupational health and safety regulations clearly define, what the permissible noise level in the workplace is. The limits differ drastically depending on whether you work in an open space office or operate a heavy machine park. What noise standards apply in 2026, how many decibels (dB) constitute a limit that must not be exceeded, and what obligations does the employer have when it gets too loud? Check the current regulations and find out how to effectively protect employees' hearing.

Noise on the production floor and in the workshop - standards and dB limits

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Work in industry, construction, or warehouses involves operating machines that generate enormous sound intensity. In such conditions, occupational health and safety regulations are uncompromising. Polish law defines the so-called NDN, i.e. the Maximum Permissible Noise Intensity.

The key values you need to know are:

85 dB - this is the maximum permissible level of exposure to noise in relation to a standard, 8-hour working day.
115 dB - maximum A-weighted sound level (applies to short-term noise, e.g. the momentary start-up of a loud device).
135 dB - peak C-weighted sound level (applies to impulse sounds, such as a sudden explosion or the impact of a pneumatic hammer).

Remember the action threshold

If noise on the shop floor reaches 80 dB, the employer must already provide employees with hearing protection. When the indicator reaches 85 dB, the use of earmuffs or earplugs becomes an absolute obligation for the employee.

Noise in the office and open space - permissible level in mental work

Office work does not threaten hearing damage, but chronic noise can drastically reduce concentration and cause stress. For this reason, office noise standards (based, among others, on the PN-N-01307 standard) are much more rigorous and concern the so-called background noise (ventilation, computers, conversations).

The permissible sound levels in office rooms are as follows:

Type of room and nature of work	Permissible noise level
Special rooms for confidential and individual conversations (including executive offices)	up to 30 dB
Office rooms used by separate users	up to 35 dB
Large open space rooms	up to 40 dB
Administrative and office rooms	up to 55 dB
Secretariats and customer service offices	up to 65 dB
Rooms with noise sources	up to 75 dB

If in your office the air conditioning or loud conversations constantly exceed these limits, the employer should invest in acoustic panels and booths, partition walls, or check the technical condition of the ventilation installation.

Pregnant women and young workers - who is subject to special protection?

Labor law approaches the health of young people and pregnant women with special care. In their case, the general standards for halls or offices cease to apply, and the limits are drastically reduced.

Pregnant women: The absolute noise limit at the ears of a pregnant employee is 65 dB in relation to 8 hours of work. This means that a pregnant woman cannot work on a traditional, noisy production floor - even if the employer were to equip her with the best hearing protectors.
Young workers (up to 18 years of age): They may not perform tasks in an environment where the noise level exceeds 80 dB.

Effects of working in noise - how high decibels destroy health?

Many employees believe that you can simply get used to a loud environment. Nothing could be further from the truth - our hearing does not adapt; it simply gradually dies. Long-term exposure to noise above 80–85 dB leads to irreversible damage to the auditory hair cells in the inner ear. The effect? Permanent hearing loss, which is among the very top occupational diseases registered in Poland.

Interestingly, the problem of the negative impact of sounds does not spare mental workers. Although noise in the office will not physically damage your eardrum, constant noise at the level of 60–65 dB heavily burdens the nervous system. The most common extra-auditory effects of working in noise include:

chronic stress and permanent fatigue,
problems with concentration and a drastic drop in efficiency,
increased blood pressure and circulatory system disorders,
headaches, irritability, and insomnia.

How to measure noise in the workplace and how often to take measurements?

According to the regulations, the employer cannot "estimate" noise by eye or using free phone apps. Measurements must be carried out by an accredited laboratory.

The frequency of tests depends on the results of previous tests:

Once every two years - if the last test showed noise at a level from 0,2 to 0,5 of the limit value (i.e. in the range of approx. 80–84 dB at industrial workplaces).
Once a year - if the noise level exceeded 0,5 of the limit value.
Indefinitely (exemption from testing) - if the last two measurements showed intensity below 0,2 NDN..

Penalties for exceeding noise standards - what can an employer face during a PIP inspection?

Ignoring the problem of a workplace that is too loud is a huge financial and legal risk for a company. The National Labor Inspectorate (PIP) strictly verifies the validity of workplace environment measurements during inspections. If the inspector demonstrates that the permissible noise level at work has been exceeded and the company has not taken corrective action, they may impose a fine of up to even several tens of thousands of EUR.

It is worth remembering that in this case the law is on the side of employees. Pursuant to Art. 210 of the Labor Code, if working conditions do not comply with occupational health and safety regulations and pose a direct threat to health (and working in noise without protection is such a threat), the employee has the right to:

Refrain from performing work (it is enough to notify the supervisor immediately).
Retain the full right to remuneration for the time of refraining from work.

Modern soundproofing of offices and halls - how to effectively lower the noise level?

When measurements show that the standards have been exceeded, the employer must act. Instead of immediately forcing everyone to wear earplugs (which is a last resort), it is worth implementing modern engineering and organizational solutions that effectively absorb sound waves.

How to soundproof an open space office?

Acoustic panels and screens: Freestanding or desk-mounted partitions made of special fibrous materials can reduce background noise by several decibels.
Phone booths/acoustic cabins (acoustic pods): Mobile, soundproofed cabins for conducting phone calls or 1:1 meetings, thanks to which loud discussions do not carry throughout the entire office.
Space arrangement: The use of suspended ceilings with a high sound absorption class, thick carpets, and a large number of large-format plants that act as natural sound-dispersing screens.

How to reduce noise on the production floor?

Automation and maintenance: Regular lubrication and replacement of worn bearings in machines can work wonders.
Sound-insulating cabins and screens: Enclosing the loudest machines in special housings or separating them from the rest of the hall using heavy acoustic curtains.
Active hearing protectors: If employees must wear earmuffs, it is worth investing in active (electronic) models. They attenuate dangerous machine noise, but at the same time amplify human speech, which allows for safe communication without removing the protection.
Phone booths/acoustic cabins (acoustic pods): Meetings with employees can be held comfortably in the cabins, thanks to which machine noise does not interfere with the conversation.

Acoustic cabins for companies - a solution for the office, production floor, or trade fairs

Imagine the situation: you work in an open space office, you need to have an important phone call with a client or conduct a quick online meeting, and around you a dozen people are talking, clicking on keyboards, and brewing coffee. In such conditions, meeting strict noise standards can be impossible, and you can forget about focusing.

And this is where acoustic cabins for the office enter the stage. These are freestanding, advanced structures that act like "isolation rooms of silence" placed in the center of company hustle and bustle. Their main task is to absorb sounds from outside and block noise generated inside. As a result, the person talking inside does not disturb anyone, and the surroundings do not disturb them.

One size does not fit everything: flexibility and variants

Modern Spacetronik acoustic cabins are not a universal product - and that is very good. Depending on whether your problem is one employee's loud phone calls or the lack of intimate conference rooms, you can choose the ideal size:

Single-person cabins (phone booths): They take up minimal space. They serve as a quick workstation for calls or a moment of work in absolute focus.
2- and 4-person cabins: Ideal for brainstorming in a smaller team, recruitment, or meetings, without the need to reserve a large conference room.

Our recommendation: Spacetronik SPEPOD43BG acoustic cabin

If you are looking for the golden mean between design, degree of sound attenuation, and functionality, it is worth paying special attention to the Spacetronik SPEPOD43BG model. This is a proposal that perfectly fits the needs of dynamically changing offices, and its greatest advantage is purchasing flexibility.

Option 1: Basic version of the acoustic cabin

For companies that like to have full control over interior arrangement, the Spacetronik SPEPOD43BG acoustic cabin without equipment will be ideal. You then receive a perfectly soundproofed structure with a built-in active ventilation system (activated by a motion sensor) and power panels (230V sockets + USB). You can furnish the interior completely your own way - insert your favorite ergonomic chair, a smaller table, or equipment dedicated to video conferences.

Option 2: Set with full furnishings

If you do not want to waste time looking for matching chairs or tabletops, a better choice will be the Spacetronik SPEPOD43BG cabin with equipment. In this variant, you receive a plug-and-play product. In addition to everything the basic version has, the booth includes furniture matched in size and style (an ergonomic table and comfortable seats). This guarantees that the space will be used down to the centimeter, and employees can use it immediately after installation is completed.

FAQ

What are the first symptoms of chronic exposure to noise at work?

The first symptoms are primarily tinnitus (squeaking, ringing in the ears), a feeling of “blocked” ears after returning from work, and difficulty understanding speech in a noisy environment. Extra-auditory symptoms include chronic fatigue, frequent headaches, irritability, problems with concentration, and increased blood pressure.

Does listening to music in in-ear headphones at work protect hearing from ambient noise?

No, ordinary in-ear headphones do not protect against noise. What is more, they can worsen the situation. To drown out sounds from the surroundings (e.g. machine noise or conversations in the office), we intuitively turn up the music, which generates additional decibels and accelerates hearing damage. Protection is provided only by certified hearing protectors or advanced headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC).

How to effectively and cheaply soundproof an office without the need for renovation?

Quick office soundproofing without construction work is based on the use of elements that absorb and diffuse sound waves. The most effective methods are:
• Desk panels and screens: felt or upholstered partitions separating workstations.
• High-weight textiles: installing thick window curtains and laying carpets or rugs that dampen the sound of footsteps.
• Large potted plants: ficuses, monsteras, or ferns placed in groups naturally diffuse sounds.
• Furniture arrangement: tall shelves with documents or books act as simple acoustic screens.
• Acoustic cabins: dedicated booths for focused work, phone calls, and meetings in smaller teams.

Does an acoustic booth protect against outside noise, or does it prevent the voice from carrying from inside?

An acoustic booth works in two directions. Thanks to the use of multilayer sound-absorbing materials and seals, the cabin effectively isolates the employee inside from the noise present in the open space. At the same time, it blocks sound waves generated inside, which makes phone and business conversations inaudible to people standing outside, guaranteeing full privacy.

Is there a supply of fresh air and access to electricity inside the acoustic cabin?

Yes, professional acoustic cabins have integrated ventilation and electrical installation. For example, Spacetronik models are equipped with quiet, active fans (often started automatically by a motion sensor) that ensure constant air exchange. Inside there is also a power panel with classic 230V sockets and USB ports, which enables continuous work on a laptop or phone.

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