Example risk assessment – noise in a pub/night club

What are the Hazards
Significant hazards that are foreseeable / Who might be harmed and how? / What are you already doing? / What further action is necessary? / How will you put the assessment into action?
Noise caused by amplified music e.g. recorded music or live music being performed.
Permanent or temporary hearing loss due to workplace exposure e.g. a ringing in the ears or buzzing after completion of shift. / Employees
Contractors on site e.g. DJ, security staff / Provision of hearing protection, directional speakers away from the bar, noise limiters on sound system, staff rotation from loud to quieter areas of the business.
Monitoring has recently been under taken and identified noise levels regularly above 87 dB (A) resulting in a need to take action immediately to reduce the level of risk to our employees. / Mandatory hearing protection to be provided to all staff in areas where noise exceeds 85 dB (A).
Designation of the work area as a hearing protection zone.
Ensure that the hearing protection being provided offers the correct level of protection, not under or over protecting the individual by use of the HSE on line noise calculator in relation to hearing protection.
Training of all employees who need to use hearing protection on the correct fitting of it and adequate hygiene arrangements in place e.g. disposable ear plugs after each shift.
A scheme of health surveillance needs to be introduced for all employees deemed to be at increased level of risk. (Refer to action plan).
During future premises refurbishment look to design out noise hazards where ever it is possible, e.g. speakers over dance floor, dance floor away from bar, provision of possible acoustic enclosures to the bar area etc. / Inform all employees at start of their next shift place sign in breaks room.
With in the week, purchase appropriate signage to be displayed.
Continuous monitoring of employees to ensure that it is worn and hearing protection is maintained and replaced when it is appropriate. Review and monitor types of hearing protection available on the market.
Train all employees on a rolling programme basis within a month and all new starters on induction. Regular refresher training given to all staff who require it and on “training days”.
New starters to receive pre-employment health questionnaire including audiometry questions. During general noise training, employees will receive questionnaires to identify those that are more vulnerable to loud noise. Those employees identified through health surveillance are to receive audiometric testing by qualified and competent person. This is to be done as soon as possible.
Refurbishment of establishment will take place from time to time. The level of change may vary from simple decoration to structural change of layout. At all times when refurbishment is planned, there is a need to consider the design of the premises to avoid risk, where ever it is reasonably practical to do so. Ideally removing the need for employees to wear hearing protection, e.g. reduce the levels of noise exposure to below 85 dB (A).

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