Noise at Work Regs

Re: Noise at Work Regs

If the daily or weekly average exposure levels reach 80 decibels (dB) - the Lower Exposure Action Value - employers must assess the risk to workers' health. They must also provide workers with information, training and hearing protection if this is requested.

The level at which employers must provide hearing protection and hearing protection zones is now 85dB (daily or weekly average exposure) - the Upper Exposure Action Value. The new legislation also requires that health surveillance (in the form of hearing checks) is provided for workers who are regularly exposed to levels above 85dB.

However, the new legislation does not just focus on providing suitable hearing protection. but now places increased emphasis on control. Where an employee is likely to be exposed to noise at or above an Upper Exposure Action Value, the employer is legally obliged to reduce exposure to as low a level as is reasonably practicable (Regs 6(1) and 6(2)), by establishing and implementing a programme of organisational and technical measures. Only after these measures have been investigated - and implemented where possible - can an employer rely on the use of hearing protection to further reduce the employee's exposure to noise to below the Upper Exposure Action Value.

The newly introduced Exposure Limit Value of 87dB is the level of noise to which employees must not be exposed. This limit differs from the Upper and Lower Exposure Action Values as it takes into account any reduction in exposure provided by hearing protection. If this limit value is exceeded, immediate action must be taken to reduce exposure by reviewing the programme of control measures to ensure that all technical and organisational controls and hearing protection are adequate and are being fully and properly used and maintained.

Emergency fire sprinkler systems tend to be at the lower end of the risk scale as they are, for the most part, sealed systems. The initial risk assessment undertaken by the site should investigate all parts of the system, from the sprinkler heads back to the water storage tank or mains supply connection. Regular (weekly) temperature measurements would demonstrate that the site is undertaking an ongoing risk assessment for the system.

The Code of Practice for the Control of Legionella Bacteria in Water Systems provides details on the risk assessment that should be undertaken. Its Appendix mentions sprinkler or fire hose systems and provides further details, including recommendations for testing and maintaining the system.

Anonymous | 11:16 07.09.2007| Report this answer as unsuitable