What the Law says

Damage to hearing from exposure to noise in a work environment has lead to an increase in the number of compensation claims. In April 2006 new EU noise legislation was introduced into UK Law under 'The 2005 Control of Noise At Work Regulations'. Businesses now have to review their policy on noise in the workplace under the new Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2006.

The focus of the new legislation is:

The noise legislation is focused on the employee exposure to noise. The first level threshold is 80 dB(A). The approach moves away from an over reliance on assessment, quantification of exposure levels and consequent hearing protection solely in the form of PPE, towards an agenda of proactive and active control and management of noise issues.

Exposure to loud noise can cause permanent hearing damage. Damage can involve loss of hearing ability and people may also suffer a permanent sensation of noises or ringing in the ears, known as 'tinnitus'.

Hearing loss caused by exposure to noise at work continues to be a significant occupational disease. It is estimated that over 2.2 million people in the UK are exposed to excessive noise levels in the workplace. Recent research estimates that 170,000 people in the UK suffer deafness, tinnitus or other ear conditions as a result of exposure to excessive noise at work.

Excessive noise in the workplace can lead to an unsatisfactory and unsafe working environment and create unwanted and unacceptable noise in the environment.

• Surrounded by intrusive noise for most of the working day.
• Raising voice levels to be heard at two metres away.
• Using powered tools or machinery for more than 30 minutes a day.
• Working in a noisy industry such as manufacturing, nightclub, industrial process.

How we can help

• Evaluate noise risk with fixed point and personal dose meter readings.
• Assessment of exposure levels - who might be harmed and how.
• Recommend what you need to comply with legal requirements and how to reduce noise levels.
• Documentation of new policy in conjunction with the business.
• Review assessment.

Our approach is as follows:

• Individual bespoke interviews and job role risk assessments with all permanent members of staff at your sites
• From this, recommendations for control measures, and where necessary, personal protective equipment recommendations
• Full report and action plan broken down into: Individuals needs, structural needs, environmental needs
• Series of fixed interval variable location noise level monitoring assessments during different trading periods and locations
• All work carried out by qualified and experienced acoustics consultants, under the guidance and management of your dedicated Shieldyourself account manager
• Continued service on an annual or ad hoc basis as necessary. Repeat assessments to be carried out under the constraints of legislative requirements

What to do next

To find out more information on how we will conduct a noise risk assessment at your premises and how it will benefit your business call us now on 0870 011 8250.