Noise at Work – Do You Know
All You Need To Know?

Under the Noise at Work Regulations 1989, both employers and employees have obligations which they must fulfil to minimise the risk of damage to hearing at the workplace. Below is a summary of these obligations – you must comply with them.

EMPLOYERS DUTIES

1. To reduce the risk of hearing damage to the lowest level reasonably practicable.
Below 85dB(A): Yes
At first Action Level – 85dB(A): Yes
At second Action Level – 90dB(A): Yes
2. To appoint a competent person to carry out noise assessments and keep a record of those assessments.
Below 85dB(A): No
At first Action Level – 85dB(A): Yes
At second Action Level – 90dB(A): Yes
3. To reduce the risk of exposure to noise as far as is reasonably practicable by means other than ear protectors.
Below 85dB(A): No
At first Action Level – 85dB(A): No
At second Action Level – 90dB(A): Yes
4. To provide adequate information, instruction and training about risks to hearing, how to minimise that risk. How to obtain ear protectors between 85dB(A) and 90dB(A) and their obligations under the Regulations.
Below 85dB(A): No
At first Action Level – 85dB(A): Yes
At second Action Level – 90dB(A): Yes
5. Mark ear protection zones with notices as far as reasonably practicable.
Below 85dB(A): No
At first Action Level – 85dB(A): No
At second Action Level – 90dB(A): Yes
6. Ensure that ear protectors are:-
a) Provided to employees who ask for them.
Below 85dB(A): No
At first Action Level – 85dB(A): Yes
At second Action Level – 90dB(A): No
b) Provided and used by all exposed.
Below 85dB(A): No
At first Action Level – 85dB(A): No
At second Action Level – 90dB(A): Yes
c) Maintained and repaired.
Below 85dB(A): No
At first Action Level – 85dB(A): Yes
At second Action Level – 90dB(A): Yes
7. Ensure that all who go into ear protection zones are wearing ear protection
Below 85dB(A): No
At first Action Level – 85dB(A): No
At second Action Level – 90dB(A): Yes

EMPLOYEES DUTIES

1. Employees must so far as practicable:-
a) Use ear protectors.
Below 85dB(A): No
At first Action Level – 85dB(A): No
At second Action Level – 90dB(A): Yes
b) Use other protective equipment.
Below 85dB(A): No
At first Action Level – 85dB(A): Yes
At second Action Level – 90dB(A): Yes
c) Report any defects in equipment to his/her employer on discovery.
Below 85dB(A): No
At first Action Level – 85dB(A): Yes
At second Action Level – 90dB(A): Yes

Table 1 from “Introducing the Noise at Work Regulations” is Crown copyright and is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationary Office. – Code FWC31

Size 400mm x 600mm Screen printed Semi rigid PVC

from £19.22p