The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are today reminding businesses of their duties under the new Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 which become enforceable as from today, Wednesday 6 April 2006, replacing the existing Noise at Work Regulations 1989.
Compliance of the new Regulations applies to all but the music and entertainment sector, which have until April 2008 to comply.
Health and safety minister Lord Hunt of Kings welcomed the new Regulations and said:
"With over one million employees in Great Britain exposed to levels of noise at work which could damage hearing the new regulations will reduce exposure without placing unnecessary burdens on employers."
The following list, though by no means exhaustive, provides some simple rules of thumb that may indicate a business has a noise problem requiring rectification:
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Surrounded by intrusive noise for most of the working day.
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Having to raise your voice to be heard by someone just 2 metres away, for at least part of the day.
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An employee who uses noisy powered tools or machinery for more than 30 minutes a day.
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Employees working in a noisy industry such as construction, road repair, engineering or manufacturing.
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Employees work causes impacts such as hammering, drop forging, pneumatic impact tools, etc.
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Employees who work with explosive sources such as cartridge-operated tools, detonators, or guns.
Under the new Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, employers must comply by:
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Assessing the risks to their employees from noise at work.
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Taking action to reduce the noise exposure that produces those risks.
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Make provision for employees with hearing protection if they cannot reduce the noise exposure enough through other methods (making hearing protection available on request at 80 dB and ensuring it is worn at 85 dB).
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Making sure the legal limits on noise exposure (87 dB daily or weekly exposure or peak sound pressure of 140 dB taking account of hearing protection) are not exceeded.
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Provide employees with information, instruction and training.
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Carry out health surveillance where there is a risk to health.
Brian Lamb, Director of Communications at RNID, said:
"We welcome the new Control of Noise at Work Regulations.
"Prolonged exposure to loud noise can cause permanent hearing loss and employers have a legal duty to cut down noise and protect their employees from the harmful effects of noise at work. However, employees also have to play their part and use the hearing protection available to them.
"Noise induced hearing loss is often cumulative and not immediately obvious, so its threat is seldom recognised or taken seriously."Whilst the effects of noise are irreversible, noise induced hearing loss is totally preventable."
Further information on the new Regulations and simple steps that can be taken to reduce employee noise exposure, is available from the HSE Webpage and can be accessed by clicking the following:
Article by Alexandra Johnston
