Introduction & Legal Requirement
Damage to hearing from exposure to noise in a work environment has lead to an increase in the number of compensation claims. Businesses now have to review their policy on noise in the workplace under the Safety Health & Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations, 2007.
The noise legislation is focused on the employee exposure to noise. The first level threshold is 80 dB(A). The approach moves away from an over reliance on assessment, quantification of exposure levels and consequent hearing protection solely in the form of PPE, towards an agenda of proactive and active control and management of noise issues.
Noise Assessment
Damage to hearing from exposure to noise in a work environment has lead to an increase in the number of compensation claims. Businesses now have to review their policy on noise in the workplace under the Safety Health & Welfare at Work (Control of Noise at Work) Regulations, 2006.
The noise legislation is focused on the employee’s exposure to noise. The lower exposure level is 80 dB(A) while the upper exposure level is 85 dB(A). A noise assessment can help determine which level employees are being exposed to. The approach moves away from quantification of exposure levels and consequent hearing protection solely in the form of PPE, towards an agenda of proactive and active control and management of noise issues.
What is a Safecon Occupational Noise Assessment?
Safecon can undertake a noise at work survey for you – including fixed and personal dose monitoring – and make sure your working environments meet the legal requirements.
The survey includes:
- Evaluate noise risk with fixed point and personal dose meter readings.
- Assessment of exposure levels – who might be harmed and how.
- Recommend what you need to comply with legal requirements and how to reduce noise levels.
- Documentation of new policy in conjunction with the business.
- Review assessment.
Our approach is as follows:
- Individual bespoke interviews and job role risk assessments with all permanent members of staff at your sites
- From this, recommendations for control measures, and where necessary, personal protective equipment recommendations
- Full report and action plan broken down into: Individuals needs, structural needs, environmental needs
- Series of fixed interval variable location noise level monitoring assessments during different trading periods and locations
- All work carried out by qualified and experienced acoustics consultants
- Continued service on an annual or ad hoc basis as necessary. Repeat assessments to be carried out under the constraints of legislative requirements
Do you need a noise assessment to be carried out in your place of work?
- Are your staff surrounded by intrusive noise for most of the working day?
- Are raised voice levels being heard at two metres away?
- Are their powered tools or machinery in use for more than 30 minutes a day?
- Do your staff work in a noisy industry such as manufacturing, nightclub, industrial processes?
News Snippets
Date Noise Assessment Related Information
18/12/13
Noise induced deafness is the term used to describe the deterioration of a persons hearing over a prolonged period of time due to their working activities or environment. A recent case in April of 2013, saw a generator manufacturer take a deafness claim against his employer. He was exposed to excessive noise levels, without hearing protection for over 25 years of his working life. Even when hearing protection was introduced, it was not mandatory. The man suffered noise induced deafness and now wears hearing aids in both ears. He was awarded €9,500 when he took an occupational noise induced deafness claim against his employer. Do you know what noise levels your workers are exposed to? Find out by having an occupational noise assessment performed. Call 01-6853018, e-mail contact@safecon,ie or log onto www.safecon.ie