The most current and relevant legislation to assess noise in the work place is covered by The Control of Noise at Work Regulations (2005).
This statutory instrument defines workers daily personal noise exposure limits, taking account of the level of noise and the duration of exposure, to bring a legislative framework in line with The European Directive (2003/10/EC) on which it is based.
These regulations specify workers daily personal noise exposure limits, taking into account the following considerations:
• The level of noise.
• The duration of exposure to the noise.
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations (2005) not only apply to the traditional industrial and manufacturing sectors but also to the music and entertainment sectors; where this document has replaced any previous guidelines since April 2008.
Noise Criteria
The Exposure Limits Action Values are defined as follows:
• Lower Exposure Action Value (LEAV):
+ A daily or weekly personal exposure of 80db(A)
+ A peak sound pressure level of 135dbB(C)
• Upper Exposure Action Value (UEAV):
+ A daily or weekly personal exposure of 85Db(A)
+ A peak sound pressure level of 137dB(C)
• Exposure Limit Value (ELV):
+ A daily or weekly personal exposure of 87dB (A)
+ A peak sound pressure level of 140dB(C)
Daily personal noise exposure levels and weekly personal noise exposure levels correspond to daily or weekly exposure levels defined in ISO 1999:1990. Correction is made to compensate for the duration of a working day to establish an 8 hour equivalent day and 5 day week.
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NAWR 2005
Guidance Summary
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Exposure Level
LEP,d or LEP,w
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Peak Level
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Action
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Below lower exposure action values
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<80dB(A)
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<135dB(C)
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· Reduce noise levels as far as reasonably practicable.
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Lower exposure action values
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80dB(A) or above
Cannot take hearing protection into account
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135dB(C) or above
Cannot take hearing protection into account
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· Undertake a risk assessment. If any employees are identified as being particularly susceptible to noise, health surveillance should be implemented.
· Make sure hearing protection is available.
· Establish a maintenance programme for equipment supplied to reduce noise risk.
· Provide noise awareness training.
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Upper exposure action values
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85dB(A) or above
Cannot take hearing protection into account
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137dB(C) or above
Cannot take hearing protection into account
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· Implement actions required by lower exposure action values above.
· Establish and implement a programme of control measures.
· Where these measures are not sufficient to reduce exposure below 85dB(A) then complete the following:
· Suitable hearing protection must be worn; and
· A health surveillance programme must be implemented.
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Exposure limit values
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87dB(A) or above
Allowed to take hearing protection into account
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140dB(C) or above
Allowed to take hearing protection into account
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· Must reduce below limit values.
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Sound Solution Consultants can visit your site or factory and undertake a compliant assessment in accordance with The Control of Noise at Work Regulations (2005). We will both assist and perform for you:
• A survey and calculation of the existing noise levels in the areas where the noise is apparent.
• Assess the measured noise exposure levels with reference to exposure detailed in The Control of Noise at Work Regulations (2005).
• We will clearly indicate where exposure action values are exceeded (previously cited as the 1st or 2nd Action Levels).
• Review the effectiveness of existing control measures in place.
• Perform calculations to estimate the performance of hearing protection offered to avoid ‘over-protection’ (as defined in BS 458:2004).
• Provide professional mitigation advice to reduce noise levels as far as reasonably practicable, in line with The Control of Noise at Work Regulations (2005).
Examples of the controls which may be necessary to reduce noise exposure are as follows:
• Review work patterns to reduce noise exposure.
• Change and improve the design of work areas to reduce noise exposure.
• Purchase quieter machinery and equipment.
• Correct maintenance of machinery and equipment to reduce noise at source.
• Improve operating methods and technical measures i.e. dampening metal bins, ior reducing drop heights etc.
• Use acoustic barriers or noise screens to reduce unnecessary exposure to those in the vicinity of a noisy activity.
• Where all technical approaches have been explored or as a short term measure; by the use of correctly selected hearing protection. Note that hearing protection should not be used as an alternative to controlling noise by technical and organisational means.
Some work places are excluded from the regulations, such as military bases, however almost all work places are required to have their noise levels assessed, they include:
• Factory Noise at Work Survey
• Printing Company Noise at Work Survey
• Garage workshop Noise at Work Survey
• Bowling Alley Noise at Work Survey
• Road working Noise at Work Survey
• Engineering Noise at Work Survey
• Motor sport Noise at work Survey
• Nightclub or Bar Noise at Work Survey
For more survey information, please visit our Noise Survey page which details the services carried out by Sound Solution Consultants.