Table of Contents
How do the noise at work regulations protect workers?
The aim of the Noise Regulations is to ensure that workers’ hearing is protected from excessive noise at their place of work, which could cause them to lose their hearing and/or to suffer from tinnitus (permanent ringing in the ears).
How do factories reduce noise?
Modify the paths by which the noise travels through the air to the people exposed, eg:
- Erect enclosures around machines to reduce the amount of noise emitted into the workplace or environment.
- Use barriers and screens to block the direct path of sound.
- Position noise sources further away from workers.
What can workers use to protect themselves from noise pollution?
Take everyday noise protection care – Wearing high-quality industrial earplugs or ear muffs helps protect your ears and your hearing. While concerts and construction zones are two environments that regularly cause hearing damage, it can happen in any loud work environment around machinery, large vehicles, etc.
How is noise controlled?
The exposure to noise can be reduced by eliminating the source of noise (if possible), substituting the source with a quieter one, applying engineering modifications, using administrative controls, and by using protective equipment.
What is an employer’s responsibility regarding noise in the workplace?
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (Noise Regulations 2005) require employers to prevent or reduce risks to health and safety from exposure to noise at work. Carry out health surveillance where there is a risk to health.
What is the Control of Noise at Work Act and what does it cover?
The regulations replaced the ‘Noise at work regulations 1989’ which previously covered noise in the workplace. Everyone in the engineering environment is exposed to noise and could suffer temporary or permanent hearing loss, the control of noise at work regulations require employers to eliminate or reduce noise levels.
How do you protect someone from noise?
Use hearing protection devices (such as earplugs and earmuffs) when you cannot avoid loud sounds. Make hearing protection convenient. Stash earplugs in your car or workshop for easy access. Keep children away from loud music or equipment at home.
How can we reduce noise at work?
Reducing noise pollution in the workplace
- Change or modify equipment.
- Locate the equipment in a more isolated area, or soundproof the room.
- Make sure that people spend time working in quiet areas too.
- Try to run noisy equipment early or late in the day when fewer people will be exposed.
Why is noise protection important for factory workers?
Of all the physical ailments found in factory workers, hearing issues are the most common – so noise protection is a must. Hearing loss affects not just the professional life of a person, but home and social life too.
How can we reduce noise in the workplace?
Duration of exposure can be reduced by job rotation or providing a noise refuge (eg limit the time workers spend in noisy areas and/ or design and layout the workplace to create quiet workstations). Consider implementing improved working techniques to reduce noise levels.
When to use hearing protection to control noise?
It is not acceptable to rely on hearing protection alone to control noise exposure. Hearing protection should only be used when extra protection is needed after using noise control techniques (such as elimination of noisy tasks, substituting quieter processes, removing people from noisy areas and selection of quiet equipment).
How are noise levels determined in a workplace?
If the amount of time spent in noisy locations by individual workers is only a fraction of their working day, then local regulations may allow slightly higher noise levels to exist. Where possible, noise levels should be evaluated at locations occupied by workers’ ears.