How Do I Control the Risks from Noise?
The purpose of the Noise Regulations 2005 is to make sure that people do not suffer damage to their hearing - so controlling noise risks and noise exposure should be where you concentrate your efforts.
Wherever there is noise at work you should be looking for alternative processes, equipment and/or working methods which would make the work quieter or mean people are exposed for shorter times. You should also be keeping up with what is good practice or the standard for noise control within your industry.
Where there are reasonably practicable things you can do to reduce risks from noise, that are reasonably practicable, they should be done. However, where noise exposures are below the lower exposure action values, risks are low and so you would only be expected to take actions that are relatively inexpensive and simple to carry out.
Where your assessment shows that your employees are likely to be exposed at or above the upper exposure action values, you must put in place a planned programme of noise control.
How can I choose quieter equipment and machinery?
Introducing a positive purchasing and hire policy can be the most cost-effective long-term measure you take to reduce noise at work. Choosing quieter equipment and machinery, whether it is bought or hired, from the start can save you the cost of introducing noise-reduction measures once it is installed or in use. You could do the following:
• Consider at an early stage how new or replacement machinery could reduce noise levels in the workplace - set a target to reduce the noise levels if possible.
• Ensure you specify a realistic noise output level for all new machinery, and check that tenderers and suppliers are aware of their legal duties.
• Ask the suppliers about the likely noise levels under the particular conditions in which you will operate the machinery, as well as under standard test conditions. If you ask the same question to all suppliers you can compare information. Noise output data will only ever be a guide as many factors affect the noise levels experienced by employees, but it will help you to buy quieter machines.
• Try to purchase or hire only from suppliers who can demonstrate a low-noise design, with noise control as a standard part of the machine, not as a costly optional extra.
Keep a record of your decision process, to help show that you have met your legal duties to reduce workplace noise.
Remember to ask your supplier about: • installation arrangements, eg methods of mounting and Figure 1: Typical noise levels, as measured in dB location, to ensure machinery operates as quietly as possible
• anything about how the machine operates which could affect the noise it produces
• maintenance arrangements to ensure the machine continues to operate properly and does not get louder over time
All information taken from the Health and Safety Executive website. For more information please visit
www.hse.gov.uk/noise www.envirotech-online.com IET January / February 2016
What Are the Action Levels and Limit Values? The Noise Regulations require you to take specific action at certain action values. These relate to: • the levels of exposure to noise of your employees 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 exposure action values: • daily or weekly exposure of 80 dB • peak sound pressure of 135 Db Upper exposure action values • daily or weekly exposure of 85 dB • peak sound pressure of 137 dB
The actions you need to take are described in the rest of the employers’ web pages. The flow chart in Figure 1 will also help you decide what you need to do. There are also levels of noise exposure which must not be exceeded. These are called exposure limit values: • daily or weekly exposure of 87 dB • peak sound pressure of 140 dB
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