Noise in the Workplace

According to the HSE, estimates of those suffering deafness, tinnitus or some kind of ear condition as a result of their working in excessively noisy environments, numbers somewhere in the region of 170,000.

Employers are obligated to ensure the well-being of their staff when it comes to protecting their hearing from exposure to noise levels in the workplace of above 85 dB by providing hearing protection and conducting a risk assessment to workers health at volumes of 80 dB and to provide them with information and training.

To understand the risk and ensure your business is compliant with Health &Safety Regulations, speak to one of our expert health and safety advisors today on 0800 470 2855. 

Noise at work and the law

Employers are also bound under their duty of care, outlined by the Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974.

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 states that employers must provide hearing protection for employees at noise levels of 85dB(A) and above. Employers must perform a noise risk assessment and provide employees with access to training and information at levels of over 80 dB(A). 

There is also an exposure limit value of 87 dB(A), this takes into account any reduction in exposure provided by hearing protection, above which workers must not be exposed.

Employers must adhere to the following:

• Identify noise hazards.
• Estimate the exposure to noise of employees.
• Identify measures to eliminate or reduce the risks of noise exposure.
• Record the above measures and formulate an action plan.
• Offer employees hearing protection.
• Make hearing protection mandatory in high-risk areas.
• Offer proper instruction and training to staff on the risks involved in noisy environments and how to mitigate them with safe working practice.
• Monitor employees using health surveillance and offer regular hearing checks.
• Maintain equipment used in noise control and hearing protective equipment.
• Not expose employees to noise that exceed the maximum limits outlined by the regulations. 

What are the risks of excessive noise exposure?

The main risk of excessive noise in the workplace is noise induced hearing loss. The condition occurs when exposure to excessive noise damages the hair cells responsible for transferring the vibrations in the inner ear into signals that are perceived as sound by our brains. Because unlike other parts of our body the inner part of the human ear doesn't regenerate, once the hair cells are damaged, they are damaged permanently.

As we age, we naturally lose higher frequencies in our hearing, this is because the hairs responsible for high frequencies are more susceptible to wear and tear over time. 

However excessive noise can damage these hairs much more rapidly through continuous exposure without hearing protection.

If you've ever been in a loud environment for any length of time you will probably notice a temporary dullness to your hearing or ringing in the ears (temporary tinnitus). While this ringing usually subsides given time, it is the body's way of warning you that the noise in the environment was too loud. Prolonged exposure to similar levels will likely cause permanent damage.

Noise induced hearing loss

Noise induced hearing loss or NIHL can become a factor when workers are continually exposed to excessive noise in the workplace. The noise can be continuous or frequent bursts of high noise levels that exceed 85dB.

The individual affected by NIHL may not realise that they are losing their ability to hear properly, as the deafness caused by prolonged exposure to noise, tends to occur gradually over time. However, in some cases extreme and sudden noise like explosions can cause immediate hearing loss, this is called 'acoustic trauma'.

The extent of the damage done to a person's hearing in the case of noise induced hearing loss is dependent on the following conditions:

• The level of noise in the workplace.
• The length of time the individual has been exposed to noise.
• The individual’s personal susceptibility to NIHL.

You might be mistaken for thinking that those in heavy industry would be the only ones affected by exposure to harmful noise levels. However, truck drivers, venue staff and technicians, even nursery school staff, can all be exposed to noise levels over 85dB.

How to identify noise induced hearing loss

There are tests that can be done to identify workers' hearing levels. Audiometric testing can be used to measure an individual's response to calibrated signals the ears are exposed to under controlled conditions. 

Hearing loss where noise has been a prevalent factor, tends to follow similar patterns. In most cases there is a distinct loss of high frequency combined with a "notch" shape appearing in the audiogram.

In environments that are prone to noise, carrying out a pre-emptive audiometric test might help employers determine the hearing abilities of employees before they undertake employment. Regular screening during employment can help identify which employees are more susceptible to hearing loss. 

This means that some hearing loss will have already incurred, however this will mean that they will be able to seek medical support and take additional measures to protect their hearing from the risk of further damage.

Noise action levels

If noise levels are intrusive, but conversation can be conducted normally between people 2m apart, the noise is probably above the lowest action value. This means a noise assessment should be conducted to determine the effect exposure could have to employees' hearing.

Regulations impose the following action values and exposure limits:

Lower exposure value:

• Daily or weekly personal noise exposure of 80dB (A-weighted)
• Peak sound pressure of 135dB (C-weighted)

Upper exposure value

• Daily or weekly personal noise exposure of 85dB (A-weighted)
• Peak sound pressure of 137dB (C-weighted)

Exposure limit value

• Daily or weekly personal noise exposure of 87dB (A-weighted)
• Peak sound pressure of 140dB (C-weighted)

Daily and weekly exposures are displayed in doses, these levels are time-weighted, and shown as an eight-hour equivalent level. This means that they are weighted to compensate for frequency-dependent sensitivity, as the human ear operates in such a way.

C- weighting as indicated in the peak level values is near-linear weighting. Peak levels are measured as such, as this is the light level to which an individual is exposed. This has less to do with the damage caused by frequency and more to do with the doses of noise exposure. The maximum level is not the same as the peak level. To determine the peak level the appropriate noise meter that has the capability to perform a peak reading must be used.

Get in touch with Croner today to find out more on 0800 470 2855. 

Actionable at lower exposure noise levels

Hearing protection must be made available upon request to employees that might be exposed to noise levels at or above the lower exposure value but below the upper exposure value. 

Employees are not subject to a mandatory requirement to use hearing protection within this range of exposure. Likewise, employers are not required to make the use of hearing protection compulsory. Some however do make this compulsory to maximise employee protection.

Employers are required to maintain and keep in good repair, all items of hearing protection issued to employees. Employees should be given a choice when it comes to selecting the type of hearing protection they wish to use, as long as it protects them adequately for the level of exposure that they will be encountering. 

The type of hearing protection being used should regularly be reviewed to incorporate new products and technology and to ensure that current protective measures are providing the right level of protection.

Whilst using hearing protection employees must be advised of maintenance and the need to replace items if they become damaged i.e., they no longer offer the required amount of protection. 

Accurate records should also be kept to keep track of when hearing protection is issued to employees and when it has been replaced.

Actionable at upper exposure noise levels

Where an employee’s exposure to daily noise exceeds the upper exposure value of 85dB(A) LEP,d (daily exposure to noise at work normalised to an eight-hour day) or above a peak sound pressure of 140dB(C) the employer must do the following:

• Exercise a general duty of care to reduce the risk of damage to employees hearing, to the lowest levels reasonably practicable.
• Ensure a "competent person" carries out a noise assessment that identifies all employees who are exposed to daily noise at or above the upper action level or above the peak level.
• Attempt to reduce noise exposure of employees to the lowest reasonably practicable by other means than personal hearing protection.
• Provide all employees exposed to noise with information, education and training on : Noise levels to which they are exposed, the risks to their hearing due to the exposure and the available measures to protect themselves.
• Provide hearing protection to employees who are exposed to the daily noise levels, which will reduce the risk of hearing damage below that arising from exposure to noise at the upper action level or the peak action level.
• Define mark out Ear Protection Zones in areas of the workplace where the noise levels are at or exceed the upper action level or peak action level. These must be clearly signposted in accordance with the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.
• Make sure employees subject to noise exposure at or above the upper action values use the hearing protection provided. This includes making sure all personnel entering designated Hearing Protection Zones wear ear protection at all times whilst frequenting the outlined area.
• Maintain hearing protection equipment to a good standard of repair.

The employer or the competent person on behalf of the employer must evaluate the effectiveness and adequacy of available hearing protection, in regard to the levels of noise that it is intended to protect against.

Peak noise exposure

Peak sound pressure is often caused by sudden impact and is the highest pressure level incident at the ear. Employers should take action to ensure that any loud impulsive noise caused by the working environment, under no circumstances exceeds the maximum exposure limit value of 140db(C).

Get expert advice on noise risks in the workplace

Contact Croner today to ensure you know about the risks to health and safety caused by excessive noise in the workplace. Contact Croner today on 0800 470 2855.