Information Sheet - Noise

What is the Definition of Noise?

Noise is generally defined as unwanted sound. It is a problem for many reasons:

  • Top of Form
  • Environmentally it can be a nuisance resulting in disturbance, loss of sleep and fatigue
  • It can distract attention and concentration, mask audible warning signals or interfere with work thereby becoming a causative factor in accidents
  • Exposure to excessive noise can result in hearing impairment.

The first thing you need to do is establish whether you have a noise problem at work. The Health and Safety Executive can offer advise on carrying out a Noise Assessment but the extent of the problem you may have will depend on how loud the noise is and how long people are exposed to it. As a simple guide you may have a problem if:

  • You have to shout to be clearly heard by someone 2 metres away
  • Staffs' ears are still ringing after leaving the workplace and/or
  • People use equipment that causes loud explosive noises such as cartridge-operated tools or guns.

The Noise at Work Regulations place a legal duty on The Prince’s Trust to reduce the risk of damage to employees' hearing. Anyone organising an activity therefore for The Trust where there is likely to be a high level of noise must ensure that there is an:

Assessment of the exposure

An assessment of the extent of the problem is required when staff, volunteers or young people are likely to be exposed to the first action level or above or to the peak action level or above.

  • First action level = LEP,D of 85 dB(A) for example, a heavy lorry about 7metres away
  • Second action level = LEP,D 90 dB(A) for example, a pighouse at feeding time

The other action level is a value of the maximum pressure reached by the sound wave, i.e. a single loud noise:

  • Peak action level = maximum pressure 200 Pascals (140dB) for example, a jet aircraft taking off 25metres away.

Assessment record

Following any noise assessment the Manager responsible for the activity or event must ensure that an adequate record of the assessment and of any review of the assessment is kept until a further noise assessment is made. The assessment should be used to develop an action plan for introducing noise control measures.

Reduction of risk of hearing damage

The risk of hearing damage must be reduced to the lowest level that is reasonably practicable.

Reduction of noise exposure

If staff, volunteers or young people are likely to be exposed to the second action level or above, or to the peak action level or above, The Trust must take steps to reduce noise exposure so far as is reasonably practicable by means other than the provision of hearing protection.

Ear protection

When exposed to the first action level or above in circumstances where the daily personal noise exposure of that employee is likely to be less than 90dB(A), an employee, at his/her request, must be provided with suitable and sufficient ear protectors.

Any staff member, volunteer or young person, likely to be exposed to the second action level or above, or to the peak action level or above, must be provided with suitable personal ear protectors that when properly worn are expected to keep the risk of damage to their hearing to below that arising from exposure to the second action level or as the case may be the peak action level.

Ear protection zones

Hearing protection zones should be established and marked with notices.

Maintenance and use of equipment

The Prince’s Trust shall ensure that any equipment provided to comply with the regulations is fully and properly used and maintained. Staff, volunteers and young people should be trained fully and properly to use their personal ear protectors and any other protective measures when The Trust provides them and must report any defects to the manager in charge of the activity/event.

Provision of information

Staff, volunteers, young people who are likely to be exposed to the first action level or above, or to the peak action level or above, shall be provided with adequate information, instruction and training on:

  • The risk of damage to their hearing that such exposure may cause
  • What steps they can take to minimise that risk
  • The steps that The Trust must take in order to obtain the personal ear protectors
  • Their own obligations under the regulations