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An IHS Guide
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Exposure Action
Level
Lower Exposure
Action Level
Upper Exposure
Action Level
85dB(A)
The action levels are the noise exposure levels at which employers are required to take
certain steps to reduce the harmful effects of noise to their employees. The action levels
shown in the table are a daily or weekly average of noise exposure.
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As a simple guide you will need to do something about the noise if any of the following
apply:
The noise interferes with the day to day work activities for most of the day, for
example like a busy street or a vacuum cleaner being used non-stop.
Employees have to raise their voices to carry out a normal conversation.
Noisy tools or machinery are used for more than half an hour throughout the working
day.
Employees work in a noisy industry, such as construction, road repair, engineering,
canning, produc tion, manufacture, foundry, paper or board making.
There is noise in the workplace due to machinery impacts, such as hammering,
pressing, forging, pneumatic equipment, explosive sources etc.
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What to do next?
If any of the above apply then an assessment of the risks will need to be carried out to decide
whether further action is needed. This is known as a risk assessment. The aim of the risk
assessment is to provide you with the information so that a decision can be made on what
needs to be done to ens ure the health and safety of employees who are exposed to noise. In
some cases measurements of noise may not be necessary, it is about collecting as much
information as possible.
The noise risk assessment should contain the following information:
There is no right or wrong way to complete a Risk Assessment. The law requires that it is
suitable and sufficient.
A Risk Assessment must contain suitable information to be useful to an employee to
understand what hazards they may be exposed to when carrying out the task.
How do I estimate an employees exposure?
The key is to ensure that the estimate of the employees exposure is a true reflection of the
work that they do, and should therefore take into account the following:
The best way to collect this information is to speak to the employees concerned as the
estimate must be based on correct information. The suppliers of machinery will also be able
to provide data sheets which will show the noise level associated with the use of a particular
piece of machinery.
The information gathered must be recorded in a risk assessment. The risk assessment should
set out what you have done and what you are going to do to ensure that employees exposure
to noise is controlled. There should also be a timetable showing when the measures will be
implemented along with who will be responsible for the work.
The Made Easy Guide on risk assessments provides more information on risk assessments.
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Once a risk assessment has been carried out, the information should be used to determine if a
noise assessment is required.
In order for employers to be able to ensure that they are controlling their employees exposure
to loud noise they need to know which employees are at risk, and what that level of risk is.
For an employer whose employees are exposed to noise whilst at work, they may have to
implement measures to control their employees exposure to that noise, if the level of noise is
deemed to exceed the action levels stated in the Regulations.
The best way of doing this is to have a noise assessment carried out. The Control of Noise at
Work Regulations 2005 requires the employer to carry out an adequate noise assessment,
which will help to provide the information required to control noise in the workplace. In
addition the noise assessment assists in determining the most suitable hearing protection to
provide for employees, if ear protection zones are required and where they should be. The
noise assessment as a document helps employers in their compliance with duties relating to
controlling noise exposure.
What is the difference between a noise risk assessment and noise assessment?
A noise risk assessment is the first step in the process of determining whether employees are
exposed to noise at work. The risk assessment process should be used to gather as much
information as possible about the type of work which is carried out, who is at risk from the
work, what the estimated level of exposure is, how employees may be affected and what is or
will be done to reduce the noise which employees may be exposed to.
If the risk assessment suggests that you have a noise problem, a competent person may need
to be employed to measure the noise and determine the representative daily or weekly
personal noise exposure, this is called a noise assessment. The noise assessment includes
measurement of the sound pressure level at the different places the employee works and for
the different tasks carried out during the day. The average is calculated from these values
and the time spent in each place or at each task. Information on getting started with a noise
risk assessment is in INDG362 and more detail can be found in the HSE publication L108
Controlling Noise at Work.
Is it a legal requirement to carry out a noise assessment?
In order for employers to be able to ensure that they are controlling their employees exposure
to loud noise they need to know which employees are at risk, and what that level of risk is.
For an employer whose employees are exposed to noise whilst at work they may have to
implement measures to control their employees exposure to that noise, if the level of noise is
deemed to exceed the action levels stated in the Regulations.
The best way of doing this is to have a noise assessment carried out.
Is there a standard format for a noise assessment?
No, although there is certain information which should be contained with the noise
assessment.
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The HSE have published guidance on noise assessments, which provides a guide as to what
the noise assessment should contain and a checklist of requirements to ensure that the
assessment complies with the requirements of the Noise Regulations.
The guidance is called Noise Assessments Getting what you want.
Do I need to employ a Consultant to carry out my noise assessment?
No, not necessarily, although the measurement of noise and all the many factors which need
to be taken into consideration when carrying out a no ise assessment can be complex. If you
feel unable to carry out the task yourself or you dont have anyone at your workplace capable
of carrying them out then it is probably best to employ a noise consultant to carry out the
noise assessment.
They will have the necessary noise measuring equipment to carry out the assessment and will
be able to provide you with recommendations on how to tackle any noise issues in the work
place.
Consultants can provide a wealth of knowledge and experience and may be able to make the
whole process simple and painless.
Remember
The rules of thumb provided as to whether a noise risk exists should only be used as a guide
and it is likely a noise hazard exists in the workplace then the employer will more than likely
need to have a noise assessment carried out by a competent person.
By law, employers are required to assess and identify measures to eliminate or reduce risks
from exposure to noise, in order that employees hearing can be protected.
Where the risks are low, the actions taken may be simple and inexpensive, but where the risks
are high, they should be managed using a prioritised noise-control action plan.
Remember to review what is being done on a regular basis to ensure that if there have been
any changes to the work process or job they are not affecting the noise exposure of
employees.
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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 a realistic noise output level is specified for all new machinery, and check that
tenderers and suppliers are aware of their legal duties.
Ask suppliers about the likely noise levels under particular conditions in which the
machinery will be operated, as well as under standard test conditions. (Noise output
data will only ever be a guide as many factors affect the noise levels experienced by
employees)
Only buy or hire from suppliers who demonstrate a low-noise design, with noise
control as a standard part of the machine
Keep a record of the decision process which was followed during the buying or hiring
of new machinery, to help show that legal duties to reduce workplace noise have been
met.
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Provide equipment that is safe and without risk to health, with the necessary
information to ensure it will be used correctly
Design and construct machinery so that the noise produced is as low as possible.
Provide information about the noise the machine produces under actual working
conditions.
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Designed to cut out too much noise, as this can cause isolation and lead to employees
not wanting to wear them
Compulsory to wear, unless the law requires it
HEALTH SURVEILLANCE
What is health surveillance?
Health surveillance for hearing usually means:
Regular hearing checks in controlled conditions by a trained professional.
Telling employees about the results of their hearing checks.
Keeping health records.
Ensuring employees are examined by a doctor where hearing damage is identified.
Ideally health surveillance should be started before employees are exposed to noise, this helps
to give a baseline and can be used to determine any changes in noise exposure and the effects
those changes may be having.
What is the purpose of health s urveillance?
The health surveillance is designed to provide the employer with an early warning system as
to when employees might be suffering from early signs of hearing damage. It gives the
employer an opportunity to do something to prevent the damage getting worse and ensures
that the control measures which are in place are working.
It is important that employees understand the aim and importance of the health surveillance,
and that it is there to protect their hearing.
When does health surveillance need to be provided?
If employees are regularly exposed to the upper exposure action level or are at risk for any
reason e.g. they already suffer from hearing loss or are particularly sensitive to hearing
damage, the employer is required to provide health surveillance, in the form of hearing
checks for those employees
How often should checks be carried out on employees?
After the initial check, a programme of health surveillance should be implemented with a
regular check carried out annually for the first two years of employment and then at three
year intervals thereafter. However this may need to be more frequent if any problem with
hearing is detected or where the risk of hearing damage is high.
Who should carry out the hearing checks?
The hearing checks need to be carried out by someone who has the appropriate training. The
health surveillance programme needs to be under the control of an occupational health
professional (for example a doctor or a nurse with appropriate training and experience). The
employer is responsible for making sure the health surveillance is carried out properly.
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Noise at Work
What is it?
Noise at work comes in many different
forms, including from machinery, music
and factory processes. It can damage
hearing and in some cases lead to
deafness
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Risk Assessment
Noise at work can occur in many
different workplaces, but we need to
make sure that everything is done to
reduce the exposure of noise to
employees
A risk assessment will provide the
necessary information required to
ensure noise at work is controlled
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Noise Assessment
This is a more in depth assessment,
where measurement of noise are
carried out for different tasks.
The average is calculated to determine
your exposure over an 8 hour period
Measures may need to put in place to
control the level of noise you are
exposed to
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