The new Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 come in to force in April 2006.
The forthcoming regulations require significant reductions in workers exposure to noise. Employers will be required to take action (risk assessment and risk control) to prevent employees suffering noise induced hearing loss.
Exposure to noise (unwanted sound) can lead to permanent hearing loss either by repetitive exposures e.g.: daily use of percussion drills, or by a single exposure to a loud noise e.g.: from a cartridge gun. On the 6 April 2006 the lower exposure action level will be reduced to 80dB(A) (previously 85dB(A)) and the upper exposure action level will drop to 85dB(A) (previously 90dB(A)). Currently it is estimated that over 2.2million workers are exposed to noise levels above 80dbA including over 1 million exposed to levels above 85dbA and 450,000 at levels above 90dbA. Many of these workers are employed in or associated with the construction and house building industries. You may have little knowledge of how noise is measured and a reduction of 5 from a figure of 85 may seem insignificant. However nothing could be further from the truth as this equates in real terms to a reduction of approx. 75% which may be the difference between hearing damage or not.
The regulations require all employers to assess the risks to their employees from noise at work. This does not necessarily mean carrying out noise surveys and measuring noise. Wherever possible employers are being encouraged to make use of pre-existing noise data available from manufacturers, industry bodies or from earlier noise surveys. Many employers carried out noise surveys in compliance with the 1989 Noise at Work Regulations. As long as they are considered relevant, they are appropriate for compliance with the new regulations. The HSE has prepared guidance for employers on the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 that gives practical guide lines to employers on determining whether a noise problem exist at all. For example
- Do employees have to raise their voices to carryout a normal conversation at 2 metres apart?
- Do employees use noisy power tools or machinery for more that half an hour per day?
- Is the noise intrusive for most of the day e.g. continuously running compressors?
- Are there noises due to impact e.g. pile driving, cartridge tools, impact tools?
Have you answered yes to one or more of the above? Depending on the complexity of the operation e.g. where it’s performed, how many are exposed, frequency, when the operation is performed and by who control measures will need to be introduced.
The risk assessment process is more than just taking noise measurements or looking up noise data. The main purpose of the process is to help the employer decide what needs to be done to eliminate or reduce, to a reasonably practicable level, the exposure of the workforce to noise. Hence the risk assessment should:
- identify where exposure exists and who is affected
- have a reliable estimate of noise level to enable a comparison with the regulations exposure action and limit values
- identify the measures to be taken to comply with the legal requirements; controls at source and appropriate hearing protection or both
- identify those employees who will require health surveillance
The estimate of ‘employee exposure’ in the risk assessment must take into consideration the work presently done and due to be done that day. This may prove particularly difficult with general operatives due to the way the work is performed and how it may vary from one day to the next.
Whilst recording and reviewing this information is important, the key area for effort is in the selection of appropriate controls. The following list offers suggestions for reducing high level of noise on site:
Look for alternative construction processes, perhaps by manufacturing component off site – it is easier to control noise exposure in a factory setting therefore where possible make use of components that have been prefabricated off site where noisy operations such as cutting, drilling, welding can be carried out under controlled conditions.
Look to purchase/hire alternative quieter equipment in order to reduce noise at source. The manufacturers and hire companies are continually introducing new quieter low vibration models. Request information about noise levels when looking for new equipment. Remember noisy equipment is less efficient than quiet equipment and therefore cost more to run. When purchasing consumables and accessories for plant and equipment look for noise data a recent study carried out by Hewden Plant Hire demonstrated a 6dB(A) (200% difference) between the noise levels of different diamond blades being used on the same Stihl saw.
Look to see whether alternative methods of work may have a benefit in reducing noise exposure, whereby the workplace becomes quieter or workers have shorter exposure times. Halving the time spent in a noisy area reduces the exposure by 3dB(A). This may be achieved by reviewing and introducing engineering controls such as lining debris chutes or reducing drop heights. Increasing the frequency of basic maintenance of plant and equipment to reduce the amount of vibration. Isolate the location of noise sources by screens of sound absorbent/damping materials or locate at a distance from the remainder of the workforce. Consider noise within the design of the site traffic management plan.
Wherever possible increase the distance between noisy operations and other workers. Doubling the distance between the source of the noise and the ear reduces noise by 6dB(A). Reduce the amount of time that workers are exposed to noise; where possible manage exposure by moving workers between operations during the course of a day.
Selecting hearing protection is not, the first and only option in the hierarchy of appropriate noise control. Hearing protection should only be issued where extra protection is required above that achieved by engineering; or where its use is intended short term whilst other measures are being developed.
Hearing protection must be:
Available on request where the noise exposure is between the lower and upper action values (daily or weekly exposures of 80dB(A) – 85dB(A))
Compulsory where the noise exposure exceeds the upper action level of 85dB(A). Above 85dB(A) the wearing of appropriate hearing protection must be enforced and should be backed up, where possible, by identifying those areas (Signage) where hearing protection is compulsory.
Where employees are going to be regularly exposed to noise at or above the upper action level (85dB(A)) and where particular employees are vulnerable to the effects of noise, the employer must provide health surveillance i.e. regular hearing tests. Regular checks will provide the employer with early warning signs of damage to hearing gives the employer an opportunity to prevent any damage from getting worse and provides a regular check to ensure that noise control measures are effective.
Finally employers must ensure that they provide their employees and others who may be exposed, with information to explain the risks and the controls that are in place. In particular where employee will need to make use of hearing protection the employer must ensure that employees know how to use and fit the appropriate protection.
The involvement of the employees is critical in ensuring that compliance with the controls is achieved on site. They need to be informed of: -
- Their likely exposure to noise and the resulting risk to hearing
- What the employer is doing to reduce noise levels
- Where and how they can obtain hearing protection
- What constitutes a defect and how to have it replaced or rectified
- What their duties are under the Regulations, and where appropriate
- Information on the Health Surveillance regime.
In summary
Employers must:
- Assess and identify appropriate measures to either eliminate or reduce the risks of hearing loss to their employees. Where the risks are low, simple and inexpensive actions will meet the reasonably practicable standard. Where they are high a noise control action plan must be in place.
- Where required provide hearing protection and enforce its use together with enforcing the use of technical or engineering controls.
- Provide information, training and, if required, health surveillance.
Action Levels and Limit Values.
Lower exposure action values (measured without PPE)Daily or Weekly exposure of 80dB(A)
Peak sound pressure level 135dB(C )
Upper exposure action values (measured without PPE)
Daily or weekly exposure of 85dB(A)
Peak sound pressure of 137dB(C )
Exposure limit values (measured WITH PPE)
Daily or weekly exposure of 87 dB(A)
Peak sound pressure of 140dB(C )
NHBC provides a range of services designed to improve health and safety both on site and in the office. Our Services can be tailored to fit any size of business throughout the UK, from producing a basic policy statement through to a full audit of your health and safety management systems. For further information please call 0870 241 4319 or visit www.nhbcbuilder.co.uk
