About 'The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005'

As a leading supplier of health & safety and facilities management solutions Seton prides itself on being able to provide expert advice to its customers on impending UK legislation that is likely to effect them. We have developed this webpage to enable you to find further details on 'the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005' that will help to ensure your compliance.

All information contained on this site has been composed from leading government agencies.

What is 'The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005'?

'The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005' is a replacement to the existing Noise at Work Regulations 1989 and will come into force on the 6th April 2006.

The main difference between the new and the old regulations is that the allowable exposure levels have been reduced by 5dB (decibels). Other major changes relate to the control measures that need to be introduced to enable an overall reduction in noise within the workplace after a noise assessment has been conducted.

The new legislation will mean that an additional one million workers will require hearing protection by law!

How does the legislation affect your organisation?

The legislation will affect all UK organisations except those involved in the music and entertainment sectors (delayed until 6 April 2008) and for seagoing ships (6 April 2011).

The main action points are:

• Changes to the Noise Action Levels
  • Lower Exposure Action Values - now 80dB. Any employee that is exposed to this level of noise on a daily basis (average of an 8 hour day) can now request hearing protection and it must be made available for them. However - it is not compulsory that the employee should wear this.
  • Upper Exposure Action Values - now 85dB. Any employee that is exposed to this level of noise must be provided with hearing protection - and be made to wear it.
  • Exposure Limit Values - now 87dB (taking into account the reduction from hearing protection).
    • Click here to see a full range of ear plugs
    • Click here to see a full range of ear muffs
• Noise Risk Assessment & Control
  • Risk Assessment - Employers are required to ensure that the risks associated with exposure to noise are eliminated where this is reasonably practical. Such measures could include:
    • Assess the choice of equipment used to complete the task - could you use something quiete
    • Design and layout of work area - moving staff away from noisy machines
    • Suitable and sufficient training for staff to be aware of the issues associated with noise
    • Implementing shields, enclosures, coverings, dampening and isolation on machinery
    • Appropriate maintenance programmes - well-maintained machines are less noisy!
    • Risk Assessment software can be found here.

    Where elimination is not reasonably practical, then the employers must reduce the risks to as low a level as is reasonably practical

  • Limit Access - If the risk assessment indicates an employee is likely to be exposed at or above the Upper Exposure Value the employer should ensure that:
    • - The area is designated a hearing protection zone.
    • - The area is identified by means of signs specified for the purpose of indicating "Ear protection must be worn".
    • - The sign shall be accompanied by text that indicates that the area is a hearing protection zone and employees must wear hearing protection within the zone.
    • - Access to the zone is restricted
    • - Noise related signs can be found here
      

Where can I get further details on the legislation?

Further information can be gained from the following sources:

Basic HSE advice on Noise Control at Work can be downloaded at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg362.pdf

The full legislation document can be found on the Office of Public Sector Information website

The HSE has published a consultative document outlining these changes http://www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/cd196.pdf

For related products see below:

Classic Foam Ear Plugs
		Sound Level Meters
Head & Ear Mandatory Signs		Control of Noise Safety Signs
J-Muff Ear Muffs