The Control of Noise at Work Regulations are intended to safeguard workers against the risk to their hearing from noise exposure at work. The regulations include noise exposure limits, which means employers are legally-bound to act if noise exposure limits within the workplace are reached and exceeded.
To determine whether a workplace needs to act due to noise levels being too high, noise monitoring and assessments must be applied. These assessments should take place in areas where noisy activities take place, such as machinery rooms, boiler rooms, print rooms, ventilation plant rooms, and so on.
Noise monitoring course
The noise monitoring course will require the use of a noise level monitor. These highly-accurate devices contain a microphone, which records noise levels. The data can then be compared to noise exposure limits set by the Control of Noise at Work Regulations. If the area is found to reach or exceed maximum noise level at work deemed as safe, the employer will be required to carry out the necessary action.
This action varies, from providing employees with hearing protection, to giving information and training about noise exposure. The level of action will depend on the outcome of the noise monitoring course, and what levels of noise workers are being exposed to. In some instances, quieter areas will need to be set up, enabling workers to take time away from noise exposure. If the maximum noise level at work is exceeded, the employer may be required to replace noise equipment with quieter machinery, or put noise dampeners on the equipment to help control noise levels within the working environment.
So, what is the maximum noise level at work?
Noise levels are recorded in decibels (dB). The Noise at Work Regulations require action to be carried out at specific values relating to noise level exposure, which is averaged over the course of a working day or week, as well as the maximum noise which workers are exposed to throughout a working day.
The lower exposure action values are daily or weekly exposure of 80dB and a peak sound pressure of 135dB. The upper noise exposure action values are daily or weekly exposure of 85dB and a peak sound pressure of 137dB.
Weekly noise exposure may be appropriate in working environments in which noise exposure varies from day to day. For example, a workshop may rely on using noisy power tools one day, but not the next.
Hearing protection is required in cases where employers are exposed to noise levels at or above 80dB but below 85dB. Employers must provide hearing protection free of charge.
If a noise monitoring course in the workplace shows noise exposure reaches or exceeds 85dB, the employer or department is legally obliged to implement and maintain a comprehensive noise control programme. The programme should include providing information and training related to workplace noise, as well as hearing protection.