Information
Do I need a Noise survey?
The general rule of thumb is if you have to raise your voice during a conversation, for example in a factory, then you will certainly benefit from a survey.
The Noise Regulations require you to take specific action at certain action values. These relate to:
- the levels of exposure to noise of your employees averaged over a working day or week; and
- the maximum noise (peak sound pressure) to which employees are exposed in a working day.
The values are:
- lower exposure action values:
- daily or weekly exposure of 80 dB - peak sound pressure of 135 dB;
- upper exposure action values:
- daily or weekly exposure of 85 dB - peak sound pressure of 137 dB
The Employer's Responsibilities - Legal Requirements
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (Noise Regulations 2005) require employers to prevent or reduce risks to health and safety from exposure to noise at work. The Regulations require you as an employer to:
- Assess the risks to your employees from noise at work;
- Take Action o reduce the noise exposure that produces those risks;
- Provide your employees with hearing protection if you cannot reduce the noise exposure enough by using other methods;
- Ensure the legal limit on noise exposure are not exceeded;
- Provide your employees with information, instruction and training
- Carry out health surveillance where there is a risk to health.
The Assessment
In order to assess the level of risk to employees, we undertake a site visit (Compliant with Covid-19 Risk Assessment) and use calibrated class 1 sound level meter to:
- Measure noise levels at work stations
- Provide calculations and recommendations for hearing protection
- Measure noise exposure of employees LEP'd (daily dose)
- Measure Peak noise
The Assessment Report
After the survey we provide a report that gives average and peak noise exposures for your employees and site, we can also provide a noise site map. (locations / equipment etc.) We also provide advice and recommendations on suitable control measures, including elimination and reduction through management and engineering controls, assessment of current hearing protection and advice on selection of new equipment.
We also provide advice, information and training for employees.