Noise is a common workplace hazard on all wildfire operations. Short-term effects of noise exposure can result in temporary hearing loss, stress, fatigue, ear ringing, and behavioural changes. Overtime, the effects of noise exposure can be cumulative and can contribute to permanent hearing loss. Determining noise exposure levels in wildfire operations is challenging because a firefighter’s work environment is constantly changing.

This project aims to identify and assess the noise hazards to which wildland firefighters are exposed.