5.7 Noise Prevention And Control
Loud noises can damage a person's hearing. The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 require occupational noise exposure to be assessed, kept to a low level and if this is not possible hearing protection measures need to be implemented. The Regulations do not cover low-level noise that is a nuisance but causes no risk of hearing damage.
Policy
The University will take all reasonably practicable actions to control noise at work with respect to its staff, students and others who may be affected by noise from the University's activities.
As from 6th April 2006, a noise assessment is required where the daily personal noise exposure is at a new lower exposure action level of 80dB(A).
The University has a purchase and hire policy to choose quieter equipment to save the cost of introducing noise-reduction measures when the equipment is put into use.
Legal Requirements
The University Is Required To:
- Assess the risks from noise at work to its employees and students;
- Take action to reduce the noise exposure that produces those risks and where possible, eliminate sources of noise;
- Provide suitable hearing protection to its employees if the noise exposure cannot be reduced by using other methods;
- Ensure that legal limits of noise exposure are not exceeded;
- Provide information, instruction and training to employees and students;
- Monitor the risks and review preventive measures, including health surveillance at regular time intervals and maintain records of results.
Responsibilities
Academic and departmental managers must ensure that any equipment, machinery or item that is owned, managed or maintained by those in their charge is assessed and the appropriate measures taken to safeguard such persons involved with University activities. In the case when individuals are at risk of hearing loss from noise exposure, a health surveillance programme should be set up by their line manager.
Risk Assessment
In the situation where there is a noise problem including intermittent sounds, the risks need to be assessed to decide whether any further action is needed. The Safety Office should be contacted for advice and to measure sound levels.
There is plenty of information available from authoritative sources.
Health Surveillance
Health Surveillance is watching out for early signs of work-related ill health in those exposed to health risks, such as exposure to noise. This is achieved by setting up an appropriate procedure. An example of health surveillance is the monitoring of hearing individuals arising from exposure to noise.
The health surveillance should be recorded, see Appendix A for a health surveillance form.
References
There is considerable information available regarding noise prevention and control.
OSHA The impact of noise at work
March 2006