Noise protection can be increased for workers in pubs and clubs says Health and Safety Executive

HSE Press Release E191:02 - 10 October 2002

Research published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) identifies the need to educate owners and employees on noise levels and noise exposure in pubs and clubs.

Conducted by the Health and Safety Laboratory, the review concluded that there is definite potential for harm from the effects of noise to employees - although it is not possible to establish the number of individuals whose hearing will be impaired as a result of this noise exposure.

While recognising the difficulties associated with trying to control noise in pubs and clubs, the general public also needs to be aware of the risks from loud amplified music of the risks from exposure.

Andie Michael, HSE's noise policy adviser, said:

"There are two issues here. The first is protecting hearing of those at work. For which there is already existing legislation and guidance that employers should be following. It applies as much in pubs and clubs as it does in a noisy factory. The second is protecting the public. The report is saying that people who spend a lot of time in places that play loud amplified music should know that they risk damaging their hearing."

HSE is considering how to take the recommendations forward in partnership with other Government departments and industry and employee representatives.

Notes to editors

1. The Noise at Work Regulations 1989 set out measures to reduce and control noise levels at work to cut the risk of damage to employees' hearing. The regulations have two action levels related to daily personal exposure averaged over an eight-hour day - 85dB(A) is the first action level and 90dB(A) is the second. There is also a peak action level of 140dB(C). These Regulations apply in pubs and clubs.

2. There are ways of protecting workers in pubs and clubs from noise e.g. by arranging for the places where people work to be "buffered" from the noise, by restricting time spent in the noisiest areas, and by wearing hearing protection.

3. Negotiations are currently underway in the EU on the final details of a new Noise Directive that lowers the action levels to 80 and 85 dB(A) and introduces a limit value of 87dB(A), above which exposure (taking hearing protection into account) will be prohibited. Adoption of this Directive is expected before the end of this year and all member states, including the UK, will then have three years to implement it in their own legislation (i.e. by late 2005). The HSE will be producing new guidance to accompany this new legislation.

4. The particular concerns of the music industry have been recognised during the negotiations on the new Directive. It is possible that the music and entertainment industry will have a two-year transitional period in which to take account of the new legislation, but negotiations are continuing on this issue.

5. The Directive does not apply to members of the public who choose to go to noisy venues.

'Noise levels and noise exposure of workers in pubs and clubs - A review of the literature' Research Report 026 is available on the HSE website at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/index.htm

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