Environmental Noise - Workplace Noise Assessment


Safecon – provide a substantial range of services for the “Measurement, Assessment & Reporting” of Environmental Noise issues, inclusive of Noise Nuisance, Workplace Noise Assessment, Noise Regulations at Work, Occupational Noise Assessmnet, Noise Pollution Assessment, Noise Pollution Control, Noise Pollution Reduction and Noise Level Standards.

The significance of Noise and Vibration in planning terms is increasing and new development is under close scrutiny in order to demonstrate that it can co-exist in the community without problems.

BS 4142:

1997 Method for rating industrial noise affecting mixed residential and industrial areas”, primarily intended as a planning tool. However it is often used as part of a complete noise assessment, when a complaint of noise (nuisance) of an industrial nature is made to a Local Authority as it contains procedures for assessing whether the noise in question “is likely to give rise to complaints

BS 4142 is generally used:

  •  As a planning tool to control new proposals which could produce noise of an industrial nature.
  •  As a planning tool when new housing is proposed where there is already industrial type noise.
  •  As part (an integral part) of the process of assessing an industrial type noise complaint.

 Planning & Noise (PPG D24)

The guidance this document contains fully addresses the bringing of noise sensitive developments to sources of transport but does not fully deal with the reverse. However, the guidance it contains is applicable to both situations with respect to Industrial & Commercial noise.

There are essentially two noise elements which can be addressed at the planning stage

  •  The protection of existing residential developments from new noise making developments.
  •  The protection of new residential developments from existing sources.


For new dwellings (and otherwise noise sensitive developments) near existing transportation noises. The document introduces 4 recommended Noise Exposure Categories (NEC’s) –A, B, C & D.


It is generally accepted that Environmental Noise Sources may vary greatly in nature by way of source, location, frequency (tonal, narrowband or broadband), event level & time. On this basis each time measurement is carried out, the broad principles of

BS 7445: 1991 are applied “The Description and Measurement of Environmental Noise”. On the following basis –

Part 1 “Guide to Quantities and Procedure”

Category Type:

Example Assessment Requirement:

Noise Parameters

LAeqT, LAX and LpA

Categories of Noise

Ambient / Specific etc.

Type of Measurement Equipment

Class 1 / Class 2 SLM & Calibrator

Calibration Methods

Before & after measurement

Weather Conditions

Wind direction & Force

Measurement Position

3.5M from reflecting surfaces

Information to Record

Surrounding Topography

Noise Levels

Safecon – also apply the methodology of the Local Governing Councils, “Guideline on Noise Levels” when measuring and assessing environmental noise, generally. Outline details as follow;
  •  Not contain any pure tones
  •  Not exceed the background levels by 10 dB(A) or more.
  •  Not exceed 65 dB(A) by daytime or more.

Noise Nuisance

Not exceed 45 dB(A) by nighttime or more. Noise Nuisance from local sources inclusive of Noisy Neighbours, can be measured in sound pressure format (dB) alongside, analogue recording of the actual sound intrusion. This is all done using Class 1 Type Acoustic Measurement Equipment and reported with the intent of further Court proceedings under the EPA Act 1992 – (Noise Regulations 1994) Statutory Instrument – SI No. 179 of 1994.
Acoustic equipment may be set up in the complainant’s property and left in a sealed unit which may then, at any stage, be turned on to record via. a remote control fob by the complainant.
All the relevant information is then recorded by the acoustic equipment such as; Date of Noise Occurrence, Time of Noise Occurrence, Duration of Noise Occurrence, Sound Pressure of Noise Occurrence, Analogue Recording of Noise Occurrence etc. and all of this data can be analysed real time by Safecon for report preparation.