Federal Noise Limits Lowered to 85 dBA

Summary#

This is a proposed federal change called Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the Canada Labour Code (Sound Levels), published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, March 21, 2026. It would tighten noise rules in five sets of federal workplace regulations, lower the daily noise limit from 87 dBA to 85 dBA, and add new requirements like a hearing-loss prevention program and regular hearing tests. The government estimates the proposal’s costs at $280.1 million (present value) and benefits at $903.2 million, for a net benefit of $623.1 million (PV).

What it does#

• Lowers the general 8-hour noise exposure limit from 87 dBA (Lex,8) to 85 dBA (Lex,8) for federally regulated workplaces.
• Requires employers who cannot meet the limits without hearing protection to develop, run and evaluate a hearing loss prevention program with specific elements (noise detection, controls, hearing protection, audiometric testing, communication, monitoring).
• Requires audiometric (hearing) tests:
  • A baseline test within 6 months of first exposure above the limit.
  • Annual testing thereafter (can be every 24 months in limited circumstances).
  • Employers must keep audiometric records for 20 years.
• Lowers the trigger for a formal noise hazard investigation to 82 dBA (Lex,8).
• Updates how noise is measured to follow modern technical standards (ambulatory references to current CSA standards such as CSA Z107.56-18 (R2022) and CSA Z1007:22).
• Changes specific marine rules so crew accommodation limits on large vessels follow the IMO Code (for example, sleeping quarters 60 dBA, messrooms 65 dBA, recreation 65 dBA, open recreation 75 dBA, offices 65 dBA).
• Replaces older hearing-protector standards with CSA Z94.2-14 (R2024) and makes standard references ambulatory (so updates apply automatically).
• Amends the Administrative Monetary Penalties (Canada Labour Code) Regulations so failures to follow the new requirements can be enforced with designated penalty types.
• This is a proposal (not yet law). The government invited comments for 30 days after the notice; the rules would come into force one year after registration if finalized.

Who's affected#

• Employers and workers in federally regulated sectors, including:
  • Transportation (air, rail, road), marine, pipelines, postal and courier, banks, telecommunications, grain handling, and oil & gas.
  • The Government of Canada (federal departments and Crown corporations) where federal labour rules apply.
• The government’s estimate of scale:
  • About 92,149 employees would be newly affected by the lowered limit (exposed between 85 and 87 dBA).
  • About 200,671 employees would be covered by the hearing-loss prevention program.
  • Around 3,300 small businesses could be affected.
• If it’s unclear who is affected in a particular workplace, employers in the federal jurisdiction would need to check their own noise levels against the new limits.

Why it matters#

• Health: Prolonged workplace noise causes hearing loss, tinnitus and can increase accident risk by masking warning sounds. The changes aim to prevent hearing damage and related injuries by lowering exposure limits and adding required hearing tests and programs.
• Practical effects you might notice:
  • More workers offered fit-tested hearing protection and training.
  • Regular hearing checks provided on the job and long-term record keeping of test results.
  • More workplaces doing noise measurements and formal hazard investigations at lower levels of noise.
  • For people working on large ships, quieter sleeping and living spaces consistent with international ship noise rules.
• Economic case: The government’s analysis projects a net positive outcome—benefits ($903.2 million PV) exceed costs ($280.1 million PV), with an estimated net benefit of $623.1 million (PV) over 10 years—mainly from fewer injuries and improved quality of life.
• Legal status: These are proposed regulations (consultation stage). They are not in force yet; the final rules would take effect only after the formal adoption process and the set waiting period.