Noise at work

Scrivens Hearing Care is vigilant in educating customers and employers about hearing protection and noise levels in the workplace. The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (also known as Noise Regulations 2005) requires all employers to avoid or reduce risks to health and safety from exposure to noise at work.

If you are an employer, it is your legal responsibility to control the noise levels in your workplace. If you are unsure, you may need to do something about the noise if any of the following apply:

• The noise is particularly intrusive (i.e. you have to raise your voice to be heard over the noise)
• Your employees operate noisy powered tools or machinery for a significant amount of time
• Your industry is known to have noisy tasks, such as construction
• There are impact noises, such as hammering or pneumatic drills
• There are explosive noises, such as detonators or guns

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 The Regulations requires all employers to:

• Carry out a risk assessment for all employees with regards to noise in your workplace
• Reduce the noise exposure (where required) that produces those risks identified
• Provide all employees with adequate hearing protection if you are unable to reduce the noise exposure
• Do not exceed the legal limits of noise exposure
• Provide all employees with information, instruction and training
• Monitor health surveillance where there is a risk to health due to noise levels

Protecting your hearing in the workplace is essential, and Scrivens Hearing Care is here to help. If you would like further information, you are more than welcome to contact us if you have any further questions, or read our hearing protection FAQs.