Legislation noise

That the authorities have refused unreasonably to accept compliance with alternative requirements or that the requirements of the notice are otherwise unreasonable in character or extent, or are unnecessary. This defense is self-explanatory. The local authorities are only permitted to ask for works that will abate the noise nuisance. Other works (perhaps to comply with legislation) should not be specified in the notice. They may, however, be contained in a letter separate from the notice. An example of this would be where the fitting of acoustic enclosures to food-manufacturing machines breached food hygiene requirements. Readily cleanable enclosures may be a requirement of the Food Hygiene Regulations, but it should not be contained in a Section 58 Control of Pollution Act notice. 

We are not aware of any published planning legislation, regulation or guidance that specifically requires control of noise in accident or emergency situations. 

High-pressure specification canned-motor centrifugal pumps solve problems in areas which could not previously be aided by conventional pumps. Simple, space-saving construction, high availability, absence of emissions thanks to prevention of fluid escape and greatly reduced noise output are characteristics that are desired in modem industrial plant not only by operators but also by legislators. 

Finally, local legislation about noise levels must be considered at the selection and design state. Depending on the stringency of noise requirements, the cost of acoustic treatment can be as much as 20% of the total system cost. For air suspension dryers, the fan is the main noise generator. Other sources, such as pumps, gearboxes, compressors, atomization... 

Noise is accepted as a problem in most industries and surprisingly there has been very little control legislation. The Health and Safety Executive have published a Code of Practice and Guidance Notes HSG 56 for reducing the exposure of employed persons to noise. A continuous exposure limit of below 85 dB for an eight-hour working day is recommended by the Code. 

Hearing is something we take for granted and we subject it to all sorts of excesses. But our ears are very delicate organs and while they will accommodate a certain amount of abuse, they do eventually react and stop working properly. The following sections consider noise legislation, how the ear works and some of the measures that should be taken at work to protect the ability to hear. 

There are two major pieces of legislation concerning noise, one aimed at protecting employees while they are at work and the other concerned with protecting the quality of life of the community. 

Abatement—The process of minimizing public health dangers and nuisances, usually supported by regulation or legislation, that is, noise abatement and smoke abatement. 

Subsequent to federal legislation, municipalities plan zoning to keep housing developments isolated from industrial regions. Noise ordinances, for day and night, have been enacted for most residential regions as well as industrial sites. Highway noise is... 

In the construction of vehicles, safety features include the provision of suitable braking systems burst-proof door latches and hinges material for fuel tanks types of lamps and reflectors the fitting of audible warnings, mirrors, safety glass windscreens, seat belts acceptable tyres, the driver s view of the road and the lighting of vehicles. Noise and smoke emissions are also topics related to safety and covered by the legislation. 

Computer-based sources include on-line and CD-ROM databases containing abstracts from health and safety journals, information on hazardous chemicals and details of relevant legislation. Computer programmes are also available containing statistical data on topics such as personal protective equipment performance and noise data analysis. 

The first four sections of this chapter explain what noise is, how it is defined and the theory and practice behind the measurement of noise levels. The rest outlines the way the ear works and the damage that can occur to cause noise-induced hearing loss. Some of the problems created by vibrations are considered. Reference is made to the guidelines, recommendations and legislation that exist and which are aimed at limiting the harmful effects of noise in the workplace, and the nuisance effect on the community. 

The Control of Pollution Act provides general legislation for limiting community noise as well as other pollutants. No specific limits are set, but the Act empowers the Local Authority to require a reduction in noise emission and impose conditions for noisy operations, e.g. specify a level of noise emission for a particular operation which must not be exceeded at certain given times. In certain instances they may not only set the limits but specify how they are to be met or how equipment is to be operated, referring to the relevant British Standard . 

Health and Safety Executive, Report by the Industrial Advisory Subcommittee on Noise, Framing Noise Legislation, HMSO, London (undated)... 

The noise emission from road vehicles is limited by legislation in order to protect the environment against high noise pollution. The related noise limits were significantly reduced over the last 30 years (Fig. 8.21) [148]. Predominant noise sources are tires, exhaust systems, intake systems, power-train and combustion engine. Purely passive systems like exhaust mufflers. 

A good example is noise testing. Due to legislative requirements in some jurisdictions, a noise survey is required every five years in particular woikplaces. In addition to this, the noise survey must be carried out by a competent person who m also need to be accredited. 

Where there is overlap in the duties in these Regulations and those covering lead, ionising radiations, asbestos, hazardous substances (COSHH), noise, and construction head protection then the specific legislative requirements should prevail. 

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