HSE issues new guidance on reducing noise exposure in the food and drink manufacturing industries

HSE Press Release E207:02 - 29 October 2002

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published new guidance 'Sound solutions for the food and drink industries - Reducing noise in food and drink manufacturing'.

Often the dangers from high noise levels can be reduced by relatively simple and inexpensive means. The new guidance contains 60 'real life' case studies showing simple, cost-effective ways of reducing the risk of hearing damage to workers. The case studies highlight successful solutions to actual problems experienced by companies. The solutions are only examples of what can be achieved and may not apply directly, however they should provide inspiration on how noise can be tackled.

The new guidance:

• indicates food and drink processes associated with high noise levels and noise levels recorded at these processes;

• sets out the hierarchy of control measures to prevent noise exposure - considering noise data when purchasing machinery, designing out noise at source, segregating noisy machinery and processes from workers, enclosing machinery, reducing noise by engineering means and, where all else fails, providing hearing protection and training in its use;

• sets out 60 noise control solutions which have been found to work successfully for 10 of the noisiest processes and many other processes; and

• covers the legal requirements.

Exposure to noise at work can cause irreversible hearing damage. It is one of the commonest health problems and can be difficult to detect as the effects build up gradually over time.

Most food and drink industries have processes which emit high noise levels exceeding the current 85dB(A) and 90 dB(A) Action Levels at which employers are required to take action. Typically noise levels range from 85dB(A) to over 100dB(A).

Richard Morgan of the HSE's Food Sector said:

"This guidance will be of help to those food and drink manufacturing industries where noise levels exceed the Action Levels. It draws together a lot of useful information drawn from practical industry experience, particularly on noise control solutions found to be successful. The contents of the guidance result from collaboration with food and drink manufacturers and should therefore be of benefit throughout these industries."

Notes to editors

1. Information about reducing noise levels at source is available in the HSE publications "Reducing Noise at Work - Guidance on the Noise at Work Regulations 1989" L108, ISBN 0 7176 1511 1, price £9.75, and "Sound Solutions - Techniques to reduce noise at work", HSG 138, ISBN 0 7176 0791 7, price £10.95.

2. The new booklet of case studies follows the publication in March 2002 of an HSE Information Sheet "Reducing noise exposure in the food and drink industries", FoodInformation Sheet No.32.

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.

Copies of "Sound solutions for the food and drink industries - Reducing noise in food and drink manufacturing",HSG 232,ISBN 0 7176 2548 6, price £15.95, can be ordered online at: http://books.hse.gov.uk

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