Noise at Work

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Published on HSfB 12 December 2005

What is noise?

When speaking of noise in relation to sound, Wikipedia has subjectively defined it as ‘meaningless sound of greater than usual volume’. The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 defines noise simply as ‘any audible sound’.

There are several alternative definitions of noise, three of which have been produced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) within their research report - Non-Auditory effects of noise at work a review of the literature crr91030 (1991) as follows:

A sound varying randomly and aperiodically in intensity and frequency.
A sound which interferes with the reception of another (for example it masks it).
A sound which we do not want to hear.

To some people the roar of an engine is satisfying or thrilling; to others it is more of an annoyance. Furthermore, loud music may be an enjoyable experience or a torment, depending on the individual listener and the particular circumstances at the time.

Legislation

In 1993 a European Union (EU) proposal for a Physical Agents Directive was made, which looked to establish a framework for the regulation of physical agents at work, which included noise. In January 2001, the Swedish Presidency introduced a proposal for a Noise Directive to repeal the existing 1986 Noise Directive (86/188/EEC) which was implemented in the UK by the Noise at Work Regulations 1989 and in the other European Union Countries around the same time.

The Noise at Work Regulations 1989 will therefore be replaced on 6 April 2006 by the more stringent Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. A comparison of the changes to the 1989 Regulations and the forthcoming 2005 Regulations are highlighted in bullet form below.

Changes from Previous Noise Regulations

The Regulations impose duties on employers and on self-employed persons to protect both employees who may be exposed to risk from exposure to noise at work and other persons at work who might be affected by that work.

Reduced threshold for hearing protection and training.
Reduced threshold for introducing noise control.
Introduce daily exposure limit value.
Permit weekly average.
Emphasis on consultation between employers, employees and reps.
Requirements for health surveillance and hearing testing (at 85dB).

Lower exposure action level = 80dB(A)
- Limit value = 135dB(A)
Upper exposure action level = 85dB(A)
- Limit value = 137dB(A)
Peak value = 87dB(A)
- Limit value = 140dB(A)

Assessment of risk.
Risk from exposure to noise to be eliminated or reduced.
If one of lower values is likely to be exceeded, a risk assessment is required: level; type and duration; effects of exposure; interaction with ototoxic substances and vibration.

At and above a lower exposure action value

Suitable hearing protection must be made available to any employee who requests it (1st levels)
Information and training in:
- Nature of risks from exposure to noise
- Organisational and technical control measures
- Exposure limit values and action values
- Findings of risk assessment
- Availability of personal hearing protection and current use
- Why and how to report signs of hearing loss
- Entitlement to health surveillance
- Safe working practices
- Results of health surveillance

Noise samples can be taken with personal protective equipment (PPE) on at ‘point of ear’.

At and above an upper exposure action value

Reduce exposure to as low a level as possible by organisational and technical measures, excluding provision of hearing protectors.
Other working methods which reduce exposure.
Choice of appropriate work equipment.
Design and layout of workstations.
Suitable and sufficient information and training.
Reduction of noise by technical means.
Appropriate maintenance programme.
Limit duration and intensity of exposure.
Appropriate work schedules and adequate rest periods.

At and above an upper exposure value

Provision of hearing protectors is a last resort. Hearing protection zones must be marked and protection provided must be worn in zones. Health surveillance including hearing tests should be provided even if hearing protection is worn.

At or above an exposure limit value

Must never be exceeded.
These values can be taken when wearing hearing protection.

John Johnston MIIRSM Grad IOSH - HSfB

Further Information:

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 - http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20051643.htm

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) - Noise Webpages - http://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/index.htm