Aran Acoustics can come to your workplace to carry out a noise assessment for the Control of Noise at Work Regulations. The purpose of the Noise Regulations 2005 is to make sure that people working in high noise level environments do not suffer damage to their hearing.

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 require employers to prevent or reduce risks to health and safety from exposure to noise at work. Employees have duties under the Regulations too. The Regulations require employers carry out the following:

• Assess the risks to your employees from noise at work
• Take action to reduce the noise exposure that produces those risks
• Provide your employees with hearing protection if you cannot reduce the noise exposure enough by using other methods
• Make sure the legal limits on noise exposure are not exceeded
• Provide your employees with information, instruction and training
• Carry out health surveillance where there is a risk to health

Employers in the music and entertainment sectors must also comply with the Noise Regulations. Music and entertainment sectors are defined in the Noise Regulations as all workplaces where a) live music is played or b) recorded music is played in a restaurant, bar, public house, discotheque or nightclub, or alongside live music or a live dramatic or dance performance.

The level at which employers must provide hearing protection and hearing protection zones is now 85 decibels (daily or weekly average exposure) and the level at which employers must assess the risk to workers’ health and provide them with information and training is now 80 decibels. There is also an exposure limit value of 87 decibels, taking account of any reduction in exposure provided by hearing protection, above which workers must not be exposed.

For further information on the Noise Regulations and how they apply to your business please visit the Health and Safety Executive website or alternatively contact Aran Acoustics to discuss your requirements.