Workplace Noise Assessments
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 implements the Physical Agents (Noise) Directive (2003/10/EC). The 2005 regulations came into force in April 2006 with the aim of ensuring the protection of employees hearing from noise exposure received at work.
The Regulations require employers to:
- assess the risks to employees (and others) from exposure to noise at work
- take action to eliminate the noise risk at source or reduce the risk to as low a level as is reasonably practicable
- provide suitable hearing protection where the exposure action values are exceeded
- ensure that equipment is maintained in good working order
- provide health surveillance to employees who’s health is identified as at risk from noise exposure
- provide information, instruction and training to employees exposed to noise at or above the lower action value
To assist you in the effective management of noise in the workplace, Environmental Compliance Ltd can conduct workplace noise assessments. The aim of these is to assess the risks to hearing from noise at work and to meet the above legislative requirements.
A typical assessment to comply with the Regulations would consist of:
- sound pressure levels measurements for designating hearing protection areas
- octave band analysis to determine the effectiveness of provided hearing protection
- personal exposure monitoring, using dosemeters, for comparison with the exposure values
For more information visit the official website http://www.hse.gov.uk/noise