HSE - Guide To Controlling Noise at Work For Employers
HSE - Guide To Controlling Noise at Work For Employers
HSE - Guide To Controlling Noise at Work For Employers
Executive
Noise at work
Guidance for employers on the Control of Noise at Work
Regulations 2005
Introduction
Hearing loss
Noise at work can cause hearing loss which can be
temporary or permanent. People often experience
temporary deafness after leaving a noisy place.
Although hearing recovers within a few hours, this
should not be ignored. It is a sign that if you continue
to be exposed to the noise your hearing could be
permanently damaged. Permanent hearing damage
can be caused immediately by sudden, extremely
loud, explosive noises, eg from guns or cartridgeoperated machines.
But hearing loss is usually gradual because of
prolonged exposure to noise. It may only be when
damage caused by noise over the years combines
with hearing loss due to ageing that people realise
how deaf they have become. This may mean their
family complains about the television being too loud,
they cannot keep up with conversations in a group, or
they have trouble using the telephone. Eventually
everything becomes muffled and people find it
difficult to catch sounds like t, d and s, so they
confuse similar words.
Hearing loss is not the only problem. People may
develop tinnitus (ringing, whistling, buzzing or
humming in the ears), a distressing condition which
can lead to disturbed sleep.
Remember: Young people can be damaged as
easily as the old
Noise levels
Risk assessment
Competence
You need to make sure that your risk assessment:
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Health surveillance
Key
Employer actions
Employee actions
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Under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and
the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992 (as
amended) a supplier of machinery must do the
following:
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Hearing protection
Do:
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Dont:
The problems of
fitting earmuffs (eg
with long hair, safety
glasses or jewellery)
Correct
Incorrect
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Health surveillance
Remember
By law, as an employer, you must assess and
identify measures to eliminate or reduce risks
from exposure to noise so that you can protect
the hearing of your employees.
Where the risks are low, the actions you take
may be simple and inexpensive, but where the
risks are high, you should manage them using a
prioritised noise-control action plan.
Where required, ensure that:
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Further information
INDG362(rev1)
10/05
C1400