The RCT Source

This will depend on how loud the noise is and how long someone is exposed to it, but as a simple guide you will probably have to do something about noise if any of the following apply:

• if the noise is intrusive – like a busy street, a vacuum cleaner or a crowded restaurant – for most of the working day;
• if people have to raise their voices to carry out a normal conversation when about 2 metres apart for at least part of the working day;
• if employees use noisy powered tools or machinery for more than half hour each day;
• if you work in a service area that involves noisy work, such as road repair, or there are noises due to impact, such as hammering, pneumatic impact tools, cartridge operated tools, or similar.

The main duties of employees under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations are to:

• use any noise control measures, such as machine enclosures, in accordance with instructions;
• wear hearing protection, in accordance with instructions, provided when exposed at or above the upper exposure action values and at all times in hearing protection zones;
• take care of hearing protectors and any noise control equipment they need to use;
• report any defect found in hearing protectors or other protective measures, or any difficulties in using them;
• attend any health surveillance appointment when required to do so (during working hours and at the cost of the employer).

The main duties of employers under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations are to: 

• assess the risks to employees from noise at work;
• take action to reduce the noise exposure that produces those risks;
• provide employees with hearing protection if the noise exposure cannot be reduced enough by using other methods;
• make sure the legal limits on noise exposure are not exceeded;
• provide employees with information, instruction and training;
• carry out health surveillance for employees where there is a risk to health.

Follow normal disciplinary procedures.

A hearing protection zone is an area of a premises or site where the noise level will be at or above the upper exposure action values, or the exposure limit values, and the wearing of hearing protection is compulsory.

Where a hearing protection zone has been identified, then suitable signs must be displayed informing people that:

• the area/building, as appropriate, is a hearing protection zone; and
• hearing protection must be worn when in that zone.

• the lower exposure action value is a daily or weekly average noise exposure level of 80 dB (decibels)  - or a peak sound pressure of 135 dB - at which the employer has to provide information and training and make hearing protection available;
• the upper exposure action value is set at a daily or weekly average noise exposure of 85 dB – or a peak sound pressure of 137 dB - above which the employer is required to take reasonably practicable measures to reduce noise exposure, such as engineering controls or other technical measures.  The use of hearing protection is also compulsory if the noise cannot be controlled by these measures, or while these measures are being planned or carried out;
• finally, there is a daily or weekly average noise exposure limit value of 87 dB - or a peak sound pressure of 140 dB - above which no worker can be exposed (taking hearing protection into account).

A noise risk assessment must be carried out by a competent person, i.e. someone who is able to:

• assess the risks from noise;
• take noise exposure readings;
• record and comment on results;
• recommend noise control measures.

Where the management of noise at work is unlikely to be a simple matter, such as when there are a lot of employees using various types of noisy equipment, it may be better managed using external specialists.

The various types of hearing protection, such as earmuffs and ear plugs, are not the best forms of protection because they rely on individual employees using the equipment correctly.  The equipment can also fail or be inefficient without this being visibly obvious.  The effectiveness of hearing protection is therefore reliant on it being used correctly and on its condition and whether it fits correctly, whereas if the noise is reduced at source then, hopefully, there will be no need to rely on hearing protection.