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Noise at Work
noise at work

Changes in the Noise at Work Regulations

Current Noise at Work Regulations

     

New European Noise at Work Regulations

         

2nd Action Level: Peak (C)

Unweighted single noise event.

Duties the same as for the 90dB(A) LEP,d 2nd Action Level.

noise at work peak action level

2nd Action Level : Peak (C)

    noise at work peak action level

1st Action Level : Peak (C)

 

 

2nd Action Level: 90dB(A) LEP,d

Where the daily exposure is likely to exceed the 2nd Action Level, taking no account of hearing protection:

Noise Hazard Zone must be clearly marked.

PPE must be worn at all times.

The noise exposure must be reduced as far as possible by means other than the use of PPE such as Noise Control

 

noise at work 90dB action level    
  maximum noise exposure limit

Maximum Exposure Limit Value

The Noise Exposure of any employee, including the use of hearing protection, must be below 87dB(A) LEX,8h.

 

1st Action Level: 85 dB(A) LEP,d

Where the noise exposure is likely to exceed the 1st action level, taking no account of hearing protection:

All employees at risk must be identified. Noise warning signs must be clearly displayed.

Noise assessment reviews when changes are made.

Noise assessments repeated at least every 2 years.

Employees informed of the risk of hearing damage.

A choice of suitable PPE made available on request.

Training and education provided.

noise at work 85dB action level

2nd Action Level: 85 dB(A) LEX,8h

Workers have the right to hearing checks where the noise assessments indicate a risk of hearing damage.

The remaining actions for the current regulations continue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  first action level for new regulations

1st Action Level: 80dB(A) LEX,8h

The actions for the current regulations continue for the 1st Action Level.

         

General Duties & Requirements

The employer is required to reduce the risk of noise exposure to the lowest practical level.

Records must be kept and made available for noise measurements, audiometry results (where available) and the company policy on noise control.

The employer must implement a "Buy Quiet" policy for all new equipment and plant to reduce the noise exposure of employees.

     

Weekly Noise Exposure Level

Where the noise exposure of a worker varies markedly from day to day, a weekly average based on five 8 hour measurements can be used to assess the risk against the Action Levels and the Maximum Exposure Limit Value.

All duties from the current regulations remain in force.



Notes:

LEX,8h is the description used on the new regulations for Lep,d which is an 8 hour Leq measurement.

The LEX,8h Action Levels are measured using dB(A). The Peak Action Levels are measured using 'C' frequency weighting.

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