According to the most recent HSE's Self-reported Work-Related Illness survey in 2004/05, an estimated 74 000 people in Great Britain believed they were suffering from a hearing problem that was caused or made worse by their current or past work. Follow this link for more information about the effects of noise on health (PDF , 13KB).
The Law
The Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 state that employers have duties under the above Act to ensure the health & safety of all employees and anyone who may be affected by their work . This includes taking steps to control noise at work.
The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999, these regulations include duties on employers to assess risks (including noise) and where necessary, take action to safeguard health & safety . Follow this link for more information about assessing noise risks (PDF , 13KB).
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 requires employers to prevent or reduce risks to health and safety from exposure to noise at work. Employees also have duties under the Regulations to.
What You Need To Do
- Assess the risks to your employees from noise at work
- Take action to reduce the noise exposure that produces those risks
- Provide your employees with hearing protection if you cannot reduce the noise exposure enough by using other methods
- Make sure the legal limits on noise exposure are not exceeded
- Provide your employees with information, instruction and training
- Carry out health surveillance where there is a risk to health
The Regulations do not apply to
- members of the public exposed to noise from their non-work activities, or making an informed choice to go to noisy places;
- low level noise that is a nuisance but causes no risk of hearing damage.
Employers in the music and entertainment sectors have until 6 April 2008 to comply with the Noise Regulations 2005. Meanwhile they must continue to comply with the Noise at Work Regulations 1989, which the 2005 Regulations replace for all other workplaces.
What Are The Action Levels And Limit Values?
The Noise Regulations require you to take specific action at certain action values. These relate to the levels of exposure to noise of your employees averaged over a working day or week; and the maximum noise (peak sound pressure) to which employees are exposed in a working day.
The values are:
Lower exposure action values:
- daily or weekly exposure of 80dB
- peak sound pressure of 135dB
Upper exposure action values:
- daily or weekly exposure of 85dB
- peak sound pressure of 137dB
There are also levels of noise exposure which must not be exceeded. These are called exposure limit values:
- daily or weekly exposure of 87dB
- peak sound pressure of 140dB
Further information
Download a copy of the HSE "Noise at Work - Guidance for employers on the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005" (PDF , 236KB) booklet here.
Further information can be found in the HSE publication, The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, ISBN Number 0717661644 available from HSE Books or all good bookshops.
Or on the Health & Safety Executive Website.
Or from South Holland District Council, Community & Neighbourhood Services, Safety & Environment Team, 01775 761161.
