Comply with noise at work regulations

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:

Daily or weekly exposure is the average noise level over the working day or week, measured in A-weighted decibels, dB(A), which are adjusted for how the human ear hears. Peak values are measured in C-weighted decibels, dB(C), and capture the highest instantaneous sound pressure from sudden loud noises such as hammer blows or gunshots.

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

Health surveillance requirements

Regular hearing checks are required for workers at significant risk:

Give each worker a baseline hearing test when they are first exposed to noise, before any damage occurs. Test them every year at first, then every 3 years if their hearing does not deteriorate. If a test finds hearing loss, review your controls and consider moving the worker to other 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

Choose protection that brings exposure down to a safe level without over-protecting, which causes communication problems. It must work with any other PPE the worker uses, and suit the environment, including hygiene, temperature and the need to communicate. Workers are more likely to wear protection that is comfortable.

• Ear plugs can be disposable or reusable, suit hot environments and are easy to carry.
• Ear muffs are easy to put on and take off, so they suit intermittent exposure.
• Level-dependent protectors let normal speech through but cut loud noise, which helps where workers need to communicate.

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.