Engineering Industry Noise Task Group EINTG

• Mission statement
• Terms of reference
• Business plan

Mission statement

The Engineering Industry Noise Task Group (EINTG) consists of representatives of employers, employees, machinery suppliers, the Association of British Insurers and HSE to:

1. Work together to provide leadership for the engineering sector in meeting its legal requirements in respect of the Noise at Work Regulations.
2. Raise awareness throughout the sector of the hazards associated with exposure to noise by improving knowledge of the issues including the provision of clear guidance and technical information.
3. Highlight good practice solutions for the sector where practical by controlling noise at source and through design/manufacture.
4. Give clear direction on noise assessment and the need for the development of site-specific action plans.
5. Promote the importance of a positive machinery purchase policy.

Terms of reference

1. The EINTG will identify generic areas for reducing noise exposure within the engineering sector.
2. Develop business plans to deliver the objectives identified in the mission statement.
3. Ensure the business plan can be integrated with the objectives set by HSE.
4. To act as a conduit to the Engineering Industry for information on noise enforcement, project work and publicity initiatives by the HSE. Provide advice to HSE on the optimum level of support required to carry out the EINTG work efficiently.
5. Seek to help form HSE opinion and influence strategic planning regarding noise enforcement within the engineering sector.

Business plan

The Engineering Industry Noise Task Group 'EINTG' was created to:

1. Develop practical responses for the sector in response to legislative changes.
2. Promotion of good practice and improving access to existing noise control information and materials via:
   • Presence on HSE Web-site
   • Press articles
3. Where appropriate members will develop complimentary noise strategies within their own organisation.
4. Develop information to help companies assess their compliance with the Noise at work Regulations through a checklist.
5. Specific new initiatives to include:
   • Your site action plan
   • Management of PPE - including development of guidance on selecting hearing protection.
   • Buying new machinery - including case studies of companies, which have successfully reduced noise levels by purchasing quieter machinery.
   • Noise control - including seminars on noise control and case studies of successful noise control measures.
   • Raising awareness of the problem - including case studies of people suffering from noise induced hearing loss and the impact on their lives.
6. Developing a strategy for EINTG to deal with Machinery suppliers & manufacturers to help users get most useful information - including seminars for suppliers/manufacturers of power presses, CNC punch presses and metal cutting saws.

• Minutes of the Engineering Industry Noise Task Group