Noise Risk Assessment

Legislation

The Noise at Work Regulations 1989 came into force in January 1990, and are designed to reduce employees' exposure to noise while at work. In particular, the regulations require employers to take action to protect workers from being exposed to loud noise by assessing noise exposures; implementing control measures; informing workers; and providing suitable hearing protection.

However, significant changes to the noise regulations came into force on 6 April 2006 in order to implement a new European Directive designed to further protect the health and safety of people exposed to workplace noise.

The new legislation, known as the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, lowers the noise levels which employers are required to take action at to protect workers' hearing, as well as requiring firms to ensure that employees' noise exposure does not exceed a new limit value.

The new legislation also introduced two lower action levels for peak noise (very loud intermittent noise), where previously there was one action level, and introduces a specific requirement to provide health surveillance where there is a risk to health from exposure to workplace noise.

Methodology

Workplace Fire & Safety Ltd can carry out a workplace noise assessment on your behalf. The assessment will:

Identify the different types of noise that exist in your workplace.
Identify who might be exposed to excessive noise levels.
Make a reliable estimate of employees' noise exposures and compare the exposure with the action and limit values.
Identify the steps that need to be taken to comply with the law.
Identify any employees who need to be provided with health surveillance and whether any are at particular risk.
Take into account the results of any information obtained following health surveillance.
Record the major findings of the assessment.
Record the action that needs to be taken to comply with the law.

Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

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