Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 Explained

What the regulations require

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 require employers to prevent or reduce the risk to health and safety from noise at work. If your workers are likely to be exposed at or above the lower action value, you must:

• Assess the risk, with a noise risk assessment that identifies who is exposed and how much
• Eliminate or reduce noise at source wherever reasonably practicable, such as quieter machines, enclosures, maintenance or changes to work patterns
• Provide hearing protection and make sure it's suitable, worn and maintained
• Mark hearing protection zones where exposure reaches the upper action value
• Inform, instruct and train workers on the risks and controls
• Provide health surveillance (hearing checks) for workers at risk
• Keep the assessment under review and update it when work changes

The exposure action values

Exposure is measured as a daily (or weekly) average, the LEP,d, plus the highest peak sound. These are the three levels that decide what you must do.

Signs you need a noise assessment

• People have to raise their voices to talk when about two metres apart
• Workers use noisy power tools or machinery for more than half an hour a day
• The work involves impacts, such as hammering, drop forging or cartridge tools
• Staff notice muffled hearing or ringing in their ears at the end of the day
• Your insurer, client or principal contractor has asked for a noise assessment

How we help you comply

We carry out a workplace noise survey under real working conditions, calculate each worker's daily exposure and write it up as a clear noise risk assessment. The report tells you which action values apply, where hearing protection zones are needed, whether your current hearing protection is suitable and what to do first.