/ Effective Date:
December 2015 / Responsible: Health, Safety and Wellbeing / Equality Impact Assessment: Completed Dec 2015
Last updated by/date:
December 2015 / Next review date:
December 2018 / Associated link: Health & Safety at York St John / HS9
Health, Safety & Wellbeing Code of Practice
Noise
The University recognises that in the performance of their duties, certain staff undertake activities, work in specific areas or use certain equipment which could expose them to noise levels which may have an adverse effect upon their hearing and which fall under the Noise at Work Regulations 2005.
Tofulfilthe statutoryobligations in the above regulations, the Universitywill introducecontrolmeasures,adoptsafe working practices and undertakesuitable and sufficient risk assessmentstoremove these noisehazardsor, ifnot practicable,toreducetherisksto anacceptable level.
This Code of Practice and associated guidance sets out the reasonable and practicable actions that will be taken to mitigate against the potential risks of hearing damage to our staff and this Code underpins the requirements of the University Health & Safety Policy.
Responsibilities
Senior Managers - are responsible for ensuring that reasonable and practicable controls are in place for anyone in their area(s) of responsibility who are exposed to adverse noise hazards.
Managers - are responsible for considering the potential noise hazards for individuals, ensuring that reasonable and practicable controls are in place that these are documented as part of generic or activity risk assessments and implemented effectively.
Staff - are responsible for following the correct procedures and controls in accordance with their training and risk assessments and to report to their line manager any concern which they may still have about their hearing and noise hazard.
NB. Although the Noise legislation is in respect of people at work the University also needs to do what is reasonably practicable to safeguard the hearing of our students and so under this Code the same principles of risk and control should apply to them in the same way as to our staff.
Definitions and Explanations – Noise at Work
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 requires employers to prevent or reduce risks to hearing occurring from exposure to noise at work. The Regulations do not cover all noise in the workplace but as a simple guide in relation to normal activities at the University, action to reduce exposure may need to be considered if;
- because of workplace noise people have to raise their voices to carry out a normal conversation when only about two metres apart;
- individuals use noisy powered tools or machinery for more than half an hour a day;
- or the work undertaken produces very loud impact or explosive sounds.
Under this Code it is important to note that background noise in general office and study areas (e.g. telephones, conversations and photocopiers etc.) may be distracting and irritating but unlike the exposures as listed above are likely to be a health hazard within the meaning of the Regulations.
Noise Level Measurement
Noise levels are measured and expressed in decibels (or ‘dB’).
Common noise levels would be:
- 50-60 dB - normal conversation
- 80 dB - noisy street
- 100 dB - pneumatic drill
- 125 dB - jet aircraft
An increase of 3dB may be barely noticeable because of the way ears work, but it means a doubling in the noise level. As a result, small changes in recorded dB level can be far more significant than they may seem.
Noise Exposure Action Values and Limit Values
The 'Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005' requires specific action at certain decibel or ‘action’ values and also set maximum values which must not be exceeded. An action level is basically a noise exposure level which if reached employers are required to take certain steps to reduce the potential for hearing damage. There are two main action levels for continuous Noise:
- Lower Action Level- is a daily or weekly average noise exposure level of 80 dB, at which the employer has to provide information and training and make hearing protection available.
- Upper Action Level - is set at a daily or weekly average noise exposure of 85 dB, above which the employer is required to take reasonably practicable measures to reduce noise exposure, such as engineering controls or other technical measures. The use of hearing protection is also mandatory if the noise cannot be controlled by these measures, or while these measures are being planned or carried out.
- Finally there is an exposure limit value of 87 dB, above which no worker can be exposed (taking hearing protection into account).
Higher Risk areas at the University
Noise exposure is generally incidental to an activity, such as operating plant or machinery or the use of power tools or hand tools and the University has a number of teaching, and support activities and areas where higher levels of noise are likely to be constant or intermittent. These include:Art & Design workshops, plant rooms, IT server rooms, Maintenance activity and workshops, Print Services and Grounds Maintenance. Surveys to date have identified few of these have the potential to expose staff or students to hazardous levels of noise.
Higher levels of noise exposure may also be caused by amplified sound or music and the University's teaching activities, in music technology and media, could without controls or sound limiters easily exceed noise exposure levels under the Regulations. In addition many musical instruments even without amplification can over long periods and years of exposure, adversely affect hearing certain instruments such as brass or percussion can create particularly high sound levels so this as well as the duration of exposure
In accordance with this Code of Practice, and in order to complywith the requirements of the Noise at Work Regulations 2005 the University will undertake periodic reviews of all the above operational and teaching areas to ensure that suitable and sufficient controls are in place to reduce the risk and wherever practicable to ensure that they remain below the regulatory action levels. In respect of music and performance the University will also follow the guidance and good practice detailed in the HSE web pages 'Sound Advice' (see below)
Additional Actions that will be taken by the University
Deans and Directors for higher risk areas must:
- Ensure that noise is taken into account in risk assessments and reviews for relevant activities. Formal assessment of the risk to health is required where noise levels exceed the lower exposure action value.
- Work to reduce noise exposure levels so far as is reasonably practicable, by reducing the production of noise or by reducing people's exposure to it, or a mixture of the two.
- Consider alternative processes, equipment and/or working methods which will make the work quieter or mean people are exposed for shorter times.
- Consider noise levels when purchasing new equipment and where possible specify and purchase quieter equipment.
- Consider noise levels when installing or relocating equipment or activities, and where possible make adjustments to minimise noise production.
- Have maintenance arrangements that ensure equipment continues to operate properly and does not become noisier over time.
- Request a noise survey if there are concerns about noise levels in between scheduled two-yearly surveys.
- Provide access to online Noise at Work training for all staff (and students if applicable) who are exposed to the lower exposure action level.
- Provide suitable hearing protection to workers (staff and students), on request, where the personal noise exposure is between the lower and upper exposure action values.
- Designate and provide signage for hearing protection zones, and for "hearing protection machines" where necessary, where exposure to workers (staff and students) is equal to or exceeds the upper exposure action value.
- Keep a record of all workers (staff and students) exposed to noise levels exceeding the upper exposure action value.
- Inform workers (staff and students) where the personal noise exposure is above the upper exposure action value and provide relevant information.
- Provide suitable hearing protection to workers (staff and students) in designated hearing protection zones, and require and supervise its wearing.
- Where hearing protection is provided (on request or mandatory), provide suitable training and instruction on correct fitting, maintenance and suitable storage.
- Where hearing protection is mandatory, provide suitable supervision to ensure rules are followed and hearing protection is being used properly. Where necessary, the University's disciplinary procedures should be followed.
- Refer employees to OH for health surveillance (hearing checks) if they are likely to be regularly exposed above the upper exposure action values, or are at risk for any reason e.g. they already suffer from hearing loss or are particularly sensitive to damage.
Further Information and Guidance
The University provides additional information and guidance, as well as access to on-line Noise at Work training programme which is available from the Health & Safety Webpages.
Legal & Regulatory Framework
Noise at Work Regulations 2005
FurtherGuidance
HSE Noise at Work ‘Microsite’
HSE Guidance “Worried about your hearing?’
HSE Noise – Don’t lose your hearing’ leaflet
HSE ‘Sound Advice’ Microsite – Music and hearing loss -
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