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Noise in the Workplace and Noise Assessments<< Back to Health & Safety index page Since 1989 businesses in our sector have been legally obliged to undertake noise assessments to ensure that staff are not exposed to the levels of noise that might damage hearing longer term. In 2006 new regulations come in and permissible sound levels are reducing greatly. A stricter regime of enforcement is also anticipated. This is going to cause a lot of problems for people in our sector - noise consultants' services will be at a premium, as will their charges, and it may be that proprietors of venues are unable to comply with the regulations, causing them to be unable to trade. A good many businesses are ignoring the issue and we encourage our customers to act now and avoid prosecution under the new noise regulations. Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent. Temporary deafness is often experienced after leaving a noisy place. Although hearing recovers within a few hours, it is a sign that continued exposure to the noise could cause permanent damage. Permanent hearing damage can be caused immediately by sudden, extremely loud, explosive noises, eg from guns or cartridge-operated machines. However in our sector it is more usually gradual due to prolonged exposure to noise, e.g. live or recorded music, or waste disposal (i.e. glass) Exposure claims can be made many years down the line. Every employee who experiences hearing loss, even say 20 years after working at licensed premises will doubtless blame working in that noisy environment as the cause of their condition - indeed we have already received our first claim for hearing loss. Hearing loss is not the only problem. Tinnitus (ringing, whistling, buzzing or humming in the ears) may occur. Tinnitus is medically untreatable, and permanent. The two important factors when considering your premises in the context of noise exposure and potential harm are: * The noise level (given in decibels, as dB(A)) The Noise at Work Regulations 1989 contain requirements where noise exposure is likely to be at or above any of three Action Levels (ALs). Two of the Action Levels are values of 'daily personal exposure to noise', shortened to LEP,d. These depend on the noise level in the working area and how long people spend in them during the day. The first Action Level is an LEP,d of 85 dB(A) and the second Action Level is an LEP,d of 90 dB(A). There is also a Peak Action Level of 200 pascals (equivalent to 140 dB), most likely to be important where loud impulsive sources (e.g. cartridge operated tools) are used, sometimes only occasionally. As a general guidelines as to likely noise level, if you have to raise your voice to be heard when standing next to a person this is approximately 85 dB(A) The assessment of noise exposure should be done by a competent person. Records of assessments should be kept. Published advice is available on practical ways to quieten the workplace Noise reduction methods can be placed in a hierarchy, as follows: * Reduce noise at source - better equipment; isolation; enclosure
Prevention is always better than cure. Choosing quieter equipment from the outset can save you the cost of introducing noise reduction measures once it is installed The use of ear protection should not be regarded as a substitute for noise reduction. Ear protection zones (where exposure is to the Second Action Level of 90 dB(A)) should be marked with notices. Further Reading http://www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/tuc-9119-f0.pdf http://www.nu-riskservices.co.uk/news/articles/cms/ http://www.nu-riskservices.co.uk/news/features/cms/ |
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