Noise Surveys

Excessive exposure to noise in the workplace can lead to health effects including:

• Noise induced hearing loss – a gradual loss of perception of sound
• Tinnitus – a constant ringing in the ears
• Diplacusis (double hearing) – causes incident sound to be heard at different pitches or tones in each ear.

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 require that an employer must do a noise risk assessment if any employee is likely to be exposed to noise at or above the lower exposure action values, these are:-

• a daily or weekly personal noise exposure of 80 dB (A-weighted)
• a peak sound pressure of 135 dB (C-weighted)

An assessment should:

• be drawn up by a competent person;
• be based on advice and information from competent sources;
• identify where there may be a risk from noise and who is likely to be affected;
• contain reliable estimate of employees’ noise exposure and comparison of exposure with the exposure action values and limit values;
• identify the measures necessary to eliminate risks and exposures or reduce them to as low a level as is reasonably practicable;
• identify those employees who need to be provided with health surveillance and whether any employees are particularly at risk.

Our occupational hygienists are trained to carry out noise surveys and assessments and can provide practical advice to managers and users on minimising health risks from exposure to noise.

For further information or support please contact Basil Owen on 0870 240 2945.