Noise at Work Compliance

Noise at work remains a major issue in health and safety in the workplace. In the past, before legislation that protects employees was introduced, workers in a variety of industries suffered full or partial hearing loss, as well as tinnitus, as a result of their exposure to noise in the workplace. Whilst noise might not be considered as dangerous as chemicals or heavy machinery, it has the potential to impact hugely upon an individual’s hearing and therefore their life.

All employers have the legal obligation to take all reasonably practical steps to protect their employees from harm whilst they are at work. Health and safety legislation covers protection of an employee’s hearing as well as other aspects. The regulations governing noise at work aim to prevent deafness and tinnitus.

Deafness is caused by damage to the cochlea which in turn results in an increase in what is known as the hearing threshold. This simply means that the individual will find that sounds need to be louder in order for them to hear them. A condition known as temporary threshold shift can occur when an individual has been exposed to high noise levels, but this results in only temporary deafness. Nevertheless, this is still cause for concern since it indicates that there is sufficient noise to cause a threat to hearing. Equally, sudden loud noises, at the sort of levels that might be experienced during an explosion can cause instant deafness, but this is less common in the workplace. What is most common, and what noise at work legislation seeks to prevent, is systematic damage to the cochlea leading to incurable and permanent deafness.

Noise at work regulations require that employers take reasonably practical steps to prevent damage to their workers’ hearing. This may mean working to substitute noisy machinery, equipment or working processes for quieter ones, or ones which would reduce the amount of time spent exposed to loud noises. Similarly it also includes provision of appropriate and effective protection, such as ear plugs as well as appropriate awareness training to inform employees of how best to take care of their hearing. Of course, without ongoing monitoring of the sound situation in a work place, or in various workplaces in cases of building sites, the employer will not be able to keep on top of the situation. Therefore employers are obliged to continually assess and manage the risk associated with high levels of noise at work. Failure to do so can result in hefty fines from the health and safety executive as well as the potential for employees to take legal action against their employers.