Workplace Noise Assessments

Noise assessments and noise monitoring, by ‘competent persons’ are essential for identifying those people at risk and to determine their exposure. Noise is not a new hazard, it has been a constant threat since the industrial revolution. Too much noise exposure may cause a temporary change in hearing or a temporary ringing in your ears. These short-term problems usually go away within a few minutes or hours after leaving the noise. However, repeated exposures to loud noise can lead to permanent, incurable hearing loss or tinnitus.

Hearing loss caused by exposure to noise at work continues to be a significant occupational disease. Recent research estimates that 170,000 people in the UK suffer deafness, tinnitus or other ear conditions as a result of exposure to excessive noise at work.

Legal Requirements   

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 came into force on 6 April 2006, replacing the Noise at Work Regulations 1989. Employers who undertake work liable to expose any employees to noise at or above a lower exposure action value must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risk that noise poses to the health and safety of those employees. The risk assessment must also identify the measures needed in order to meet the requirements of the regulations (i.e. eliminate or mitigate the exposure).

Noise Monitoring

ESG's qualified occupational hygienists use the latest, high-specification instrumentation in order to accurately measure occupational noise exposure. This includes:

• Sound level meters conforming to Type 1
• Specification of BS EN 60651: 1994, used for fixed-point measurements, measurements close to the operator, and for octave (or one-third octave) band frequency analysis
• Dosemeters for wearing by a subject (particularly if the person is highly mobile), which can continuously monitor noise exposure for later transfer to a PC
• Calibrators for checking instrument accuracy

ESG’s Capabilities

ESG has a network of laboratories to provide a range of on-site occupational hygiene services through-out the country. Our occupational hygienists can support you with:

• Measurement and assessment of occupational noise exposure
• Consultancy and advice on control strategies
• Problem solving
• Interpretation of regulations and procedures

Other Occupational Hygiene Services

ESG’s occupational hygiene expertise is not limited to occupational noise monitoring. Other services include:

• Measurement and assessment of exposure to hazardous substances (dusts, fumes, solvents)
• Local Exhaust Ventilation performance and assessment
• Human Vibration Exposure assessment, dosimetry and control
• Radiation monitoring
• Workplace comfort conditions

The level at which employers must provide hearing protection and hearing protection zones is now 85 decibels (daily or weekly average exposure) and the level at which employers must assess the risk to workers’ health and provide them with information and training is now 80 decibels. There is also an exposure limit value of 87 decibels, taking account of any reduction in exposure provided by hearing protection, above which workers must not be exposed. Health surveillance (hearing checks) is now required for workers regularly exposed above 85 decibels.