Exposure to high levels of noise can, over time, cause deafness and also interfere with communication, which in turn can affect safety.

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 require that any level of noise exposure must be reduced to as low as reasonably practicable.  In addition, the Regulations set exposure limits and action values for personal exposure to noise.

The legislation requires employers to: -

• Assess the risks to employees from noise at work where exposure is liable to be at or above the lower exposure action value.
• Take action to eliminate or reduce the noise exposure that produces risks to employees as far as is reasonably practicable.
• Provide hearing protection if noise exposure cannot be reduced enough by other means.
• Ensure the legal limits on noise exposure are not exceeded.
• Provide employees with information, instruction and training.
• Provide health surveillance where there is a risk to health.

A summary of the legal requirements is given in Appendix 1 according to the action value and limit trigger points.

The regulations require specific action at certain noise levels

Lower Exposure Action Values

The lower exposure action values are

• Daily or weekly exposure of 80 dB (A).
• Peak sound pressure of 135dB (C-weighted)

Upper Exposure Action Values

The upper exposure action values are

• Daily or weekly exposure of 85 dB (A).
• Peak sound pressure of 137 dB (C-weighted).

Exposure Limit Values

These are the levels of noise exposure that must not be exceeded (taking into account any reduction in exposure provided by hearing protection).

• Daily or weekly exposure of 87 dB (A).
• Peak sound pressure of 140 dB (C-weighted).

Below Lower Exposure Action Value

Even where noise is below 80 dB(A) there is a general duty to reduce noise levels to as low as reasonably practicable.

It is important to note that the decibel scale is such that a 3 dB rise in noise level represents a doubling of sound intensity i.e. 83 dB (A) is twice as loud as 80 dB (A). This means that the maximum exposure time at 80 dB(A) is 8 hours but at 95 dB(A) the maximum time is 15 minutes.

There are easy ways to tell if noise is too loud: -

• 60 dB(A) normal conversation
• 80 dB(A) raise your voice to people two metres away
• 90 dB(A) raise your voice to people one metre away
• 100 dB(A) if you must shout to talk to people when head to head
• 110 dB(A) if you must shout into the other person’s ear
• 120 dB(A) if you can’t hear yourself shouting

Few Council work activities are likely to be affected by the Control of Noise at Work Regulations, however, managers are responsible for identifying those activities where the action levels are likely to be reached and take action accordingly.

In addition, there is a general duty to reduce the risk of hearing damage to the lowest level that is reasonably practicable, whatever the noise level.

Managers Will:

In order to comply with the Regulations

• Identify, with assistance from the Health and Safety Team those employees likely to be exposed to noise levels at or above the Lower Action Value of 80 dB (A).

• Where there is a possibility that the Lower Action Value may be reached, arrange for a formal noise assessment to take place.

• Based on the findings of the noise assessment introduce control measures which will comply with the Regulations, e.g. information, training, reducing noise at source,

• designating ear protection zones, provision of ear protectors. The use of hearing protectors as with any personal protection equipment should be seen as a last resort.

• Put the assessment and control measures in writing and make available to all employees who are exposed.

• Ensure that all noise levels are reduced to as low as reasonably practicable by means other than the use of hearing protectors

• Ensure that the Noise Regulations are considered when purchasing any new equipment or machinery

• Review noise assessments and the precautions adopted regularly to ensure they are still appropriate and adequate.

• If hearing protection is provided as part of the control measures, ensure they are of the correct type and are properly maintained.

Employees Should:

• Report to their manager any noise levels at work they consider to be excessive.

• Follow any control measures introduced to reduce exposure to noise.

• Use hearing protectors, if provided, in designated areas.

• Take proper care of any hearing protection provided, keep it clean and replace when necessary.

Manufacturers and suppliers must provide details of the noise levels likely to be generated by plant or equipment where it is likely to cause a risk to hearing.

There are circumstances where noise which is not sufficiently loud to be covered by the Noise Regulations may still cause difficulties or discomfort to employees (so called ‘nuisance noise’).  Such noise may affect concentration, make telephone conversations difficult, or lead to increased stress levels.  Where employees report incidents of nuisance noise, managers should make every effort to tackle the sources of nuisance noise, taking expert advice where necessary.

Unless hearing protection is worn 100% of the time that a person is exposed to damaging noise levels the protection afforded is very limited.  Listed below are a number of points which need to be considered if the use of hearing protectors is to be adopted.

• A choice of hearing protectors suitable for the noise to be protected against must be made available, one type of protector will not suit all people, if the protectors do not fit or are uncomfortable, they will not afford enough protection or will not be worn.

• The hearing protectors must be selected to protect against the particular noise environment, different types of protector give better protection against different noise frequencies.

• Other protective equipment (goggles, hard hats etc.) may interfere with the wearing of hearing protection. Special care is required in the selection of equipment in those cases.

• Hearing protectors which provide too much sound attenuation are almost as bad as those which do not provide enough. The higher the attenuation the more difficult communication etc. will be.

• Any hearing protectors must be individually issued and regularly inspected and maintained.

• The activities and areas, which require the use of hearing protection, must be clearly defined.

• Training and education for those required to use hearing protection is essential to ensure that equipment is used correctly and that the dangers of exposure to high noise levels, even for short periods of time, is appreciated.

General advice and basic noise surveys can be arranged through the Health and Safety Team.

Guidance on the selection of hearing protection is contained in H&S Polices and Procedures, Section 11.1.

Appendix 1

Main provisions of the control of noise at work regulations 2005

1. General Duty to Reduce Risk

Risk of exposure to noise to be eliminated at source or where this is not possible reduced to as low a level as is reasonably practicable

Less than 80 dB(A): Yes

80 dB(A) to 85dB(A): Yes

85 dB(A) or more: Yes

2. Assessment of Noise Exposure

Assess the risks and record main findings

Less than 80 dB(A): Not applicable

80 dB(A) to 85dB(A): Yes

85 dB(A) or more: Yes

3. Noise Reduction

a. Reduce daily or weekly noise exposure (other than by use of hearing protectors) so far as is reasonably practicable

Less than 80 dB(A): Not applicable

80 dB(A) to 85dB(A): Yes

85 dB(A) or more: Yes

b. Put in place a programme of organisational and technical measures to reduce exposure to as low as is reasonably practicable

Less than 80 dB(A): Not applicable

80 dB(A) to 85dB(A): Not applicable

85 dB(A) or more: Yes

4. Ear Protectors

Take all reasonable steps to:

a. Provide them to all employees who ask

Less than 80 dB(A): Not applicable

80 dB(A) to 85dB(A): Yes

85 dB(A) or more: Yes

b. Provide them to all exposed

Less than 80 dB(A): Not applicable

80 dB(A) to 85dB(A): Not applicable

85 dB(A) or more: Yes

c. Maintain and replace them

Less than 80 dB(A): Not applicable

80 dB(A) to 85dB(A): Yes

85 dB(A) or more: Yes

d. Ensure their use

Less than 80 dB(A): Not applicable

80 dB(A) to 85dB(A): Not applicable

85 dB(A) or more: Yes

5. Maintenance and Use of Equipment

Take all reasonable steps to:

a. Make sure the equipment is used (except for ear defenders provided between 80 and 85 dB(A)

Less than 80 dB(A): Not applicable

80 dB(A) to 85dB(A): Yes

85 dB(A) or more: Yes

b. Ensure equipment is maintained

Less than 80 dB(A): Not applicable

80 dB(A) to 85dB(A): Yes

85 dB(A) or more: Yes

6. Provision of Information to Employees (and other persons affected)

a. Provide information, instruction and training to employees about risks to hearing, their obligations under the Regulations, steps they should take to reduce the risks, and if exposed between 80 and 85 dB(A) how to obtain ear protectors

Less than 80 dB(A): Not applicable

80 dB(A) to 85dB(A): Yes

85 dB(A) or more: Yes

b. Mark ear protection zones with notices so far as is reasonably practicable and ensure hearing protection is worn by anyone who enters, however short the period

Less than 80 dB(A): Not applicable

80 dB(A) to 85dB(A): Not applicable

85 dB(A) or more: Yes

7. Health Surveillance

a. Provide health surveillance (regular hearing tests) to employees

Less than 80 dB(A): Not applicable

80 dB(A) to 85dB(A): Not applicable

85 dB(A) or more: Yes

b. Keep records of health checks

Less than 80 dB(A): Not applicable

80 dB(A) to 85dB(A): Not applicable

85 dB(A) or more: Yes

Employees Duties

8. Use of Equipment

Take all reasonable steps to:

a. Use ear protectors

Less than 80 dB(A): Not applicable

80 dB(A) to 85dB(A): Not applicable

85 dB(A) or more: Yes

b. Use any other measures provided by the employer

Less than 80 dB(A): Not applicable

80 dB(A) to 85dB(A): Yes

85 dB(A) or more: Yes

c. Report any defects

Less than 80 dB(A): Yes

80 dB(A) to 85dB(A): Yes

85 dB(A) or more: Yes

Machine Makers and Suppliers Duties

9. Provide adequate information on the noise likely to be generated, if above 70dB(A)

Less than 80 dB(A): Yes

80 dB(A) to 85dB(A): Yes

85 dB(A) or more: Yes

 

PLUS An overall requirement to prevent daily or weekly personal noise exposure above 87dB(A), (or 140dBC peak sound pressure level) taking into account any hearing protection worn.