Managing Noise at Work Risk

Understanding noise is the first step to reducing it in the workplace and protecting people from its effects.

As an employer, you're required to:

• Assess the risks to your employees from noise in the workplace
• Take action to reduce exposure to noise
• Provide hearing protection if noise cannot be reduced
• Get training and information for employees
• Make sure legal noise limits are not exceeded

Risk assessments are key:

By understanding noise levels, exposure and who might be affected, can you manage the risks associated with the noise in your workplace and implement solutions. Whether that be upgrading to more efficient equipment, demarcating hearing protection zones or bringing in personal hearing protection.

There are a few things to consider when you’re identifying and measuring the level, exposure and location of workplace noise.

You should think about:

• What the task involves or is likely to involve, such as equipment, machinery and tools used
• Frequency of the task throughout the day
• Your legal obligations with regard to the introduction of noise control measures and, if these do not reduce to the lower exposure levels, then personal hearing protection must be provided
• Employees who require health surveillance and their level of risk

Record and Review Findings

The aim of the risk assessment is to ensure that all the control procedures are appropriate, effective and properly implemented.

Remember, a risk assessment must be completed by a trained assessor using a noise meter - Class 2 standard minimum.

As an Employer, it’s Your Responsibility to:

• Inform all employees about procedures and ensure they are trained and competent; this includes the planning, supervision and the supply and maintenance of equipment
• Undertake regular checks to ensure that the control measures stay in place and are being properly used. It is the employer’s responsibility to have someone in place that is competent to do this
• Review your risk assessment on an ongoing basis to check that the changes are working and identify any improvements that need to be made. This should be done at regular intervals determined by the nature of the work, if there is an incident or if the task or materials change

Hearing protection should only be issued when the noise control measure does not reduce the noise to below the recommended lower exposure level. It's not an alternative to controlling noise by reducing it through the organisation of the workspace or through using more sound efficient machinery or tools.

• Ensure the protection is at the right protection factor for the job and does not over-protect the employee – putting them at risk of isolation and not hearing warning signals or alarms
• Ensure the hearing protection is suitable for the environment and task involved and is also compatible with other Personal Protective Equipment. Training must be provided to ensure correct use of the equipment

Health surveillance is basically a series of health checks on an ongoing basis to help detect ill-health as early as possible, especially if employees are exposed to noise or vibrations, fumes, chemicals or any other substance that's hazardous to health.

As an employer, you need to provide health surveillance to all employees who are frequently exposed to noise which is above the upper action values or are at risk for any reason.

A doctor, nurse or audiologist performs the hearing check-ups. They are conducted annually for the first two years and then at three-year intervals providing hearing loss has not been detected.

If poor hearing or hearing loss is found, then a referral will take place to seek further medical advice.

Hearing protection zones are designated areas where personal hearing protection is compulsory - they also serve as reminder to employees of when their protection must be worn.

Hearing protection zones are demarcated with signs, showing which areas the hearing protection is needed. These signs need to be placed at entrances to these zones and within the zones where necessary.

Avoid hearing protection zones overlapping with designated or commonly used walkways. Zones should not extend any further than necessary to protect your employees doing their normal everyday work.

View our comprehensive range of hearing protection products including earplugs, ear defenders and communication solutions.