2. Evaluate noise levels quantitatively

2.1 Are your installations too noisy?

• Is it possible to communicate by word of mouth between colleagues located a short distance apart?

• Have any employees complained about the noise level at their workstations?

• After a few years on the job, does the employee find it difficult to communicate in public, when there are a variety of voices and sounds?

This initial subjective assessment means that very quiet workplaces can be excluded from the scope of a more precise evaluation. However, as working conditions can change rapidly, it is important to remain alert to any changes that may have occurred, and to repeat this initial assessment if necessary.