To raise awareness of the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (CNWR), which came into force for work activities in the Music and Entertainment Sector on 6 April 2008, and the availability of Sound advice, sector-specific, simple practical guidance produced with the industry to assist dutyholders.
On 6 April 2008 the Control of Noise at Work Regulations came into force for all workplaces where:
Prolonged exposure to loud music has the potential to cause significant hearing damage for those working in these environments and it is necessary to raise awareness of the Regulations and the duties employers have to protect their workers from ill health as a result of workplace exposure to noise.
The music and entertainment sector means all workplaces where live music is played or; recorded music is played in a restaurant, bar, public house, discotheque or nightclub, or alongside live music or a live dramatic or dance performance. A key target audience is pubs and clubs playing live or recorded music.
Raise awareness during usual contacts with dutyholders that the Regulations have now come into force and direct them to the HSE website - Noise for further information. Local authorities may also liaise with RNID in promoting awareness of noise at work in the entertainment industry.
Sound advice provides practical guidance on the control of noise at work in music and entertainment, including concert halls and theatres, amplified live music venues, pubs/clubs and studios. The guidance sets out a range of simple and cost-effective actions that can reduce workers' average daily or weekly exposure to noise and identifies good practice to help avoid the harmful effects of prolonged exposure to noise. It contains general information telling people what they need to know about Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and advice for specific sections of the industry.
Duty holders should focus on considering the control measures suitable for their premises since risk assessment is not an end in itself. Where risks are found it may be possible to turn the levels down, manage shift patterns etc before use of hearing protection, which should take account of the need to hear warnings, deal with customers (see details in Sound advice).
It is vital that venues considering refurbishment do not overlook the Regulations and so miss an opportunity to reduce noise exposure. The same applies to new venues and you may wish to raise this with building control/planning.
The Regulations only apply to workers; they do not apply to customers or other members of the public exposed to noise from non-work activities, or making an informed choice to go to noisy places.
The Regulations should not be used to address complaints about environmental noise or public nuisance.
This is an awareness raising project so enforcement activity is not being sought, but there may be situations (e.g. evident concern) where enforcement action needs to be considered. Events that are underway should nor be halted purely because the requirements of the Noise Regulations are not being met, in order to avoid public safety issues. But where workers’ personal exposure to noise regularly exceeds the upper exposure action values e.g. as may be encountered in ‘booze barns’ (large vertical-drinking establishments) some control measures should be recommended and followed up. The precise nature of each LA’s approach will depend on the degree of awareness-raising work already undertaken. Being heavy-handed may be counter-productive and lead to negative media coverage.
All year.
Inspectors should be aware of who (in terms of diversity e.g. men, women, disabled etc) is the target group in the sector they are dealing with. Give consideration to, and factor into the approach, any issues that may surround this audience such as literacy issues, English as a second language and disability (access needs).
The Diversity pages give more information on these areas.
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