Managing noise risks
Assess the risks (Reg 5)
- Identify noise hazards
- Identify workers at particular risk from exposure to noise
- Estimate likely exposure to noise
- Identify measures required to eliminate or reduce risks
- Make a record of action taken and planned
Eliminate or control noise risks (Reg 6)
- Eliminate or reduce risks using good practice and known control and management solutions
- Obtain quieter tools and machinery
- For the higher-risk areas, plan and put in place technical and organisational control measures
- Make sure the legal limits on noise exposure are not exceeded
Hearing protection (Reg 7)
- Where there remains a risk, issue your employees with hearing protection
- Make use mandatory for the high-risk cases and manage use with hearing protection zones
- Remember – hearing protection is not an alternative to noise control
- Employees: use hearing protection where its use is mandatory
Maintain and use noise-control equipment (Reg 8)
- Maintain any noise-control equipment and hearing protection
- Ensure that anything supplied is fully and properly used
- Employees: use the controls provided and report any defects
Health surveillance (Reg 9)
- Provide health surveillance (including hearing checks) for those at risk
- Use the results to review controls and further protect individuals
- Employees: co-operate and attend hearing checks
Worker information and training (Reg 10)
- Give employees information, instruction and training on:
- the risks and safe working practices
- control measures, hearing protection and health surveillance
- Encourage workers to take part in consultations in assessments
Review (Reg 5)
- Monitor the workplace for changes that affect noise exposures
- Monitor grouped health surveillance results to identify where controls are failing
- Look out for new ways to reduce risks