Manufacturing & Engineering

Comply with noise at work regulations

How to meet your legal duties under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. Covers exposure action values, noise assessment, hearing protection, and health surveillance requirements.

UK-wide
Guide summary

Assess noise levels in your workplace. If noise is 80 decibels or more daily, provide hearing protection. If it's 85 decibels or more, take action to reduce noise, make protection mandatory, and arrange hearing checks for staff.

  • Assess noise risks if exposure may reach 80 decibels daily
  • Provide hearing protection at 80 decibels
  • Make hearing protection mandatory at 85 decibels
  • Create marked zones where noise exceeds 85 decibels
  • Arrange hearing checks for staff exposed to 85 decibels
  • Never exceed 87 decibels daily with hearing protection
  • Reduce noise at source before using hearing protection
  • Keep health surveillance records during employment
  • Penalty for breaches: unlimited fine
  • Applies to all sectors including offices and call centres
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UK-wide

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Excessive noise at work causes permanent hearing damage. The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 require employers to prevent or reduce risks to workers' hearing. Once hearing is damaged, it cannot be restored - prevention is essential.

These regulations affect many sectors beyond obvious noisy industries. Manufacturing, construction, entertainment, hospitality, and even call centres can expose workers to harmful noise levels.

Noise exposure action values

The regulations set specific noise levels that trigger different employer duties:

Understanding these measurements:

  • dB(A): A-weighted decibels, measuring average noise level adjusted for human hearing sensitivity
  • dB(C): C-weighted decibels, used for peak noise measurements
  • Daily/weekly exposure: Average exposure over the working day or week, accounting for varying noise levels
  • Peak: The maximum instantaneous sound pressure - relevant for sudden loud noises like gunshots or hammer blows

If you have to raise your voice to hold a normal conversation at 2 metres, noise levels are probably around 80-85 dB(A) and you should assess the risk.

Your duties as an employer

The regulations place specific duties on employers based on noise levels:

How to assess and control noise risks

  1. 1

    Identify noisy areas and tasks

    Walk through your workplace identifying where noise might be a problem. Talk to workers about their noise exposure. Check manufacturer data for equipment noise levels.

  2. 2

    Measure noise levels if needed

    If you think exposure might reach action values, get a noise assessment done. Use a competent person with calibrated equipment. Assessment should cover all exposed workers and activities.

  3. 3

    Implement noise control measures

    Apply the hierarchy: eliminate noisy processes where possible, substitute quieter equipment, enclose noise sources, use barriers and screens, reduce exposure time.

  4. 4

    Designate hearing protection zones

    Where noise exceeds the upper action value (85 dB), mark the area with signage and ensure everyone entering wears hearing protection.

  5. 5

    Provide hearing protection

    Make suitable hearing protection available at lower action value (80 dB). Ensure mandatory use at upper action value (85 dB). Protection should bring exposure below 85 dB, ideally to between 70 and 80 dB - reducing below 70 dB risks over-protection (isolation and missed alarms).

  6. 6

    Arrange health surveillance

    If exposure is at or above upper action value, arrange regular hearing checks. This detects early damage before permanent disability.

Health surveillance requirements

Regular hearing checks are required for workers at significant risk:

What health surveillance involves:

  • Baseline audiometry: Hearing test when first exposed to noise, before any damage occurs
  • Regular follow-up: Annual testing initially, then every 3 years if no deterioration
  • Action on results: If hearing loss is detected, review controls and consider alternative work

Keep health surveillance records for as long as the person is under surveillance. If workers leave, offer them a copy of their records.

Selecting hearing protection

Hearing protection must be:

  • Suitable: Reduce exposure to safe levels without over-protecting (which causes communication problems)
  • Compatible: Work with other PPE the worker uses
  • Comfortable: Workers are more likely to wear comfortable protection
  • Appropriate for environment: Consider hygiene, temperature, and communication needs

Types of hearing protection:

  • Ear plugs: Disposable or reusable, good for hot environments, easy to carry
  • Ear muffs: Easy to put on and remove, good for intermittent exposure
  • Level-dependent: Allow normal speech but attenuate loud noise - good for communication

Common questions

What about music and entertainment venues? The regulations apply in full to the music and entertainment sectors, with the same action values as every other sector. HSE's 'Sound Advice' guidance covers the practicalities for venues and performers. Personal choice doesn't override employer duties.

Are call centres covered? Yes. Headset users can be exposed to harmful levels from acoustic shock incidents. Employers must limit peak sound exposure and take action if there's a risk.

Can we just provide hearing protection instead of noise control? No. Hearing protection should be a last resort. You must first try to eliminate or reduce noise at source through engineering and organisational controls.

What about workers with existing hearing loss? They may be more susceptible to further damage. Consider this in your risk assessment and take additional precautions if necessary.