Control of Noise at Work Regulations

The aim of the Noise Regulations is to ensure that workers hearing is protected from excessive noise at their workplace, which could cause them to lose their hearing and/or to suffer from tinnitus (permanent ringing in the ears). 

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 replaces the Noise at Work Regulations 1989. 

Employers have a legal duty to protect the hearing of the employees. The Regulations require an employer to  

An A weighting written as dB(A) is used to measure average noise levels and a C weighting or dB(C) is used to measure peak impact or explosive noises. 

Specific action has to be taken at certain action values. These relate to  

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There was considerable concern for many years over the increasing cases of occupational deafness and this led to the introduction of Noise at Work Regulations in 1989 and the revised Control of Noise at Work Regulations in 2005. HSE have estimated that an additional 1.1 m workers will be covered by the revised Regulations. These Regulations, which are summarized in Chapter 20, require the employer ... 

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations specify exposure action levels at which the hearing of employees must be protected. The conclusion as to whether any of those levels have been breached is reached after an assessment of noise levels has been made. However, before noise assessment can be discussed, noise measurement and the statutory action levels must be described. 

Regulation 6, of the Control of Noise at Work Regulations places a duty on employers to reduce the risk of damage to the hearing of his employees from exposure to noise to the lowest level reasonably practicable. 

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 require employers to prevent or reduce risks to health and safety from exposure to noise at work. Employees also have duties under the Regulations. 

Employers in the music and entertainment sectors have until 6 April 2008 to comply with the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. Meanwhile they must continue to comply with the Noise at Work Regulations 1989, which the 2005 Regulations replace for all other workplaces. 

The purpose of the Control of Noise at Work Regulations Is to make sure that people do not suffer damage to their hearing - so controlling noise risks and noise exposure should be where the efforts are concentrated. 

Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (SI No 1643) Controlling Noise at Work. The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, LI 08 (second edition), 2005, HSE Books... 

In general the noise level in the community or inside a factory will vary with time. The equivalent noise level (LAeq) is defined as tire notional steady noise level which, over a given period of time, would deliver the same amount of sound energy as the fluctuating level. Thus to maintain the 1-Aeq when SPL is doubled, i.e. increased by 3 dB, exposure time must be halved Table 3.5.2). The equivalent noise level concept forms the basis of the exposure criteria used in the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 which calls it daily personal noise exposure (LEPd)- Where tire fluctuation... 

The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 The Diving at Work Regulations 1997 Work in Compressed Air Regulations 1996 Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005... 

In the course of your career in construction, it is likely that you will be at some time working in a noisy environment. The Control of Noise at Work Regulations are there to protect you against the consequences of being exposed to high levels of noise, which can lead to permanent hearing damage. 

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