The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
By Paul McGurl on Friday, 28th April 2006.
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (the Noise Regulations) came into force for all industry sectors in Great Britain on 6 April 2006 (except for the music and entertainment sectors where they will come into force on 6 April 2008) replacing the 1989 Noise Regulations.
Both the 1989 and the 2005 sets of noise regulations are based on European Directives requiring similar basic laws throughout the European Union to protect workers from health risks caused by noise. They do not apply to members of the public exposed to noise from non-work activities, or when they make an informed decision to go to noisy places or from nuisance noise.
The Noise Regulations aim is to ensure that employees hearing is protected from excessive noise at work, which could cause loss of their hearing and/or tinnitus (permanent ringing in the ears).
The level at which employers must assess the risk to workers' health and provide them with information and training is now 80 decibels and the level at which employers must provide hearing protection and hearing protection zones is now 85 decibels (daily or weekly average exposure). There is also an exposure limit value of 87 decibels, taking account of any reduction in exposure provided by hearing protection, above which workers must not be exposed.
The 2005 Noise Regulations introduce new requirements for action to be taken by employers. For example, the 2005 Regulations require employers to take action at levels of noise 5 decibels lower than in the 1989 Regulations and now require health surveillance (hearing checks) for workers regularly exposed above 85 decibels.
What are the action levels and limits?
The Noise Regulations require you to take specific action at certain action values.
These relate to:
▪ the levels of exposure to noise 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 action values:
– Daily or weekly exposure of 80 dB;
– Peak sound pressure of 135 dB;
▪ Upper action values:
– Daily or weekly exposure of 85 dB;
– Peak sound pressure of 137 dB.
There are also levels of noise exposure, which must not be exceeded:
▪ exposure limit values:
– Daily or weekly exposure of 87 dB;
– Peak sound pressure of 140 dB.
These exposure limit values take account of any reduction in exposure provided by hearing protection.
How is noise measured?
Noise is measured in decibels (dB). An ‘A-weighting’ sometimes written as ‘dB(A)’, is used to measure average noise levels, and a ‘C-weighting’ or ‘dB(C)’, to measure peak, impact or explosive noises.
Because of the way our ears work, a 3 dB change in noise level might just be detected, but every 3 dB doubles the noise, so what might seem like small numerical differences can be quite significant.
Some typical noise levels (source HSE INDG 362 (Rev 1)
How can we help?
We are able to conduct surveys of the work environment to accurately establish levels of noise exposure thus removing all doubt as to where you stand legally. Should you discover that you are required to take action, we can also advise on preventative and remedial options available to you.
This is just one of the many ways Risk and Safety Solutions are partnering small to medium sized businesses Nationwide to be compliant with health and safety legislation.
Should you require assistance, or just like more information, please do not hesitate to contact us. Initial consultation is FREE and completely without obligation.
Tel: ( 01440 ) 713546
E-mail: info@risksafetysolutions.co.uk
Don't be COMPLACENT
Be COMPLIANT
Both the 1989 and the 2005 sets of noise regulations are based on European Directives requiring similar basic laws throughout the European Union to protect workers from health risks caused by noise. They do not apply to members of the public exposed to noise from non-work activities, or when they make an informed decision to go to noisy places or from nuisance noise.
The Noise Regulations aim is to ensure that employees hearing is protected from excessive noise at work, which could cause loss of their hearing and/or tinnitus (permanent ringing in the ears).
The level at which employers must assess the risk to workers' health and provide them with information and training is now 80 decibels and the level at which employers must provide hearing protection and hearing protection zones is now 85 decibels (daily or weekly average exposure). There is also an exposure limit value of 87 decibels, taking account of any reduction in exposure provided by hearing protection, above which workers must not be exposed.
The 2005 Noise Regulations introduce new requirements for action to be taken by employers. For example, the 2005 Regulations require employers to take action at levels of noise 5 decibels lower than in the 1989 Regulations and now require health surveillance (hearing checks) for workers regularly exposed above 85 decibels.
What are the action levels and limits?
The Noise Regulations require you to take specific action at certain action values.
These relate to:
▪ the levels of exposure to noise 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 action values:
– Daily or weekly exposure of 80 dB;
– Peak sound pressure of 135 dB;
▪ Upper action values:
– Daily or weekly exposure of 85 dB;
– Peak sound pressure of 137 dB.
There are also levels of noise exposure, which must not be exceeded:
▪ exposure limit values:
– Daily or weekly exposure of 87 dB;
– Peak sound pressure of 140 dB.
These exposure limit values take account of any reduction in exposure provided by hearing protection.
How is noise measured?
Noise is measured in decibels (dB). An ‘A-weighting’ sometimes written as ‘dB(A)’, is used to measure average noise levels, and a ‘C-weighting’ or ‘dB(C)’, to measure peak, impact or explosive noises.
Because of the way our ears work, a 3 dB change in noise level might just be detected, but every 3 dB doubles the noise, so what might seem like small numerical differences can be quite significant.
Some typical noise levels (source HSE INDG 362 (Rev 1)
How can we help?
We are able to conduct surveys of the work environment to accurately establish levels of noise exposure thus removing all doubt as to where you stand legally. Should you discover that you are required to take action, we can also advise on preventative and remedial options available to you.
This is just one of the many ways Risk and Safety Solutions are partnering small to medium sized businesses Nationwide to be compliant with health and safety legislation.
Should you require assistance, or just like more information, please do not hesitate to contact us. Initial consultation is FREE and completely without obligation.
Tel: ( 01440 ) 713546
E-mail: info@risksafetysolutions.co.uk
Don't be COMPLACENT
Be COMPLIANT
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