NOISE MONITORING A DECADE IN ACTION
With the ten year anniversary of The Control of Noise at Work Regulations around the corner Pascale O’Rourke, from Pulsar Instruments, evaluates correct noise monitoring legislation.
April this year will see the Control of Noise at Work Regulations (2005) celebrate their tenth anniversary in the UK. As far as safety regulations go, the Control of Noise at Work Regulations may be one of the less visible in a heavy portfolio of Health and Safety responsibilities.
In spite of this huge progress has been made in the last ten years to raise awareness of industrial deafness or noise-induced hearing loss. However, there is still a lack of understanding and urgency when it comes to controlling noise in the workplace. This may be because its effects are hidden from view. Importantly, the last ten years have seen a big rise in civil claims, encouraged by advertising campaigns and calls made on behalf of injury lawyers, prompting employers to stay alert.
Tools and processes are much quieter nowadays but uncontrolled noise is still in evidence in industrial settings, the worst culprits being the manufacturing and construction industries as they use some of the noisiest tools. Noise- induced hearing loss is still one of the most common occupational diseases around the world despite efforts to combat it. Hearing loss is the poor relation of all diseases as it is invisible and may be deemed less important compared to other diseases or injuries, however for those suffering from it, it is a source of stress and social isolation.
A LOOK AT THE LEGISLATION The 2005 Noise at Work Regulations replaced the 1989 Noise Regulations and introduced new requirements for action to be taken by employers. The 2005 Regulations require employers to take action to protect workers at levels of noise five decibels lower than in the 1989 Regulations. They also stipulate hearing checks for workers regularly exposed to above 85 decibels.
The Regulations clearly define ‘exposure action values’, which
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indicate levels of noise exposure that, if exceeded, require employers to take specific measures. Employers need to compare estimated noise exposure with the action values to establish what specific actions are required in order to reduce risk from noise.
WHAT CAN EMPLOYERS DO? Where the risks from noise are high, employers should utilise a noise- control action plan which includes an assessment of risk by a ‘competent person’ to assess noise levels,control of noise at source and the provision of suitable hearing protection.
The plan should also include the maintenance and use of PPE equipment, information, instruction and training about noise levels and noise damage, as well as health surveillance.
PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS Failure to comply with the Noise at Work Regulations can result in lost productivity to your business, leave you liable to enforcement action, including prosecution, and may result in civil claims from employees, as well as a dent in your reputation.
One sure way of protecting yourself is to obtain an accurate and reliable estimate of your employees’ exposure against the exposure action values and legal limit values stated in the Regulations.
Assess noise levels by measuring it, but do so with the correct equipment that offer the right accuracy level for your application. You can either use a handheld sound level meter or personal noise dosemeter - which gives an average noise exposure reading for a given duration - or a combination of both.
“WHERE THE RISKS FROM
NOISE ARE HIGH, EMPLOYERS
SHOULD UTILISE A NOISE-CONTROL ACTION PLAN.”
For noise at work measurement, the meter you opt for should be able to provide you with the equivalent continuous ‘A’-weighted sound pressure level in decibels or LAeq and the maximum ‘C’ weighted peak sound pressure level or LCPeak. Also under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations (2005), a Class 2 sound level meter is considered to be sufficient for measuring general noise within an occupational setting.
REMEMBER TO REVIEW Finally, the Regulations recommend that you continuously review your risk assessment if circumstances in your workplace change and affect noise exposures.
Remember, the HSE estimates that well over a million employees in Great Britain are exposed to levels of noise which put their hearing at risk, costing millions of pounds to industry, society and individuals.
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