MACH Testing can carry out a noise at work survey to assess the noise levels in your place of work. This typically involves one of our engineers visiting each working location on the site and measuring the level of noise. Details of each location and information about the working habits at each site are recorded and used to calculate each worker’s daily noise exposure.
After the noise at work survey has been completed, a full assessment of the site will be provided showing any areas in which the noise exceeds the limit or action levels. The areas which require hearing protection to be worn will be highlighted so that appropriate signage may be fitted. Advice can also be given on appropriate hearing protection to provide so that the employees can work most efficiently.
Using our knowledge and expertise of building and plant acoustics it is possible for us to provide a summary of existing noise control measures and comment on the effectiveness of them. MACH Testing has a sister company: MACH Acoustics – an acoustic consultancy. By working together it would be possible to suggest noise control solutions to reduce equipment noise in the workplace.
For more details about the Regulations can be found below.
Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 act is now in force across the majority of the UK. The Regulations outline employer’s responsibilities regarding the exposure to loud noise in the workplace and are intended to reduce the risk of occupational hearing damage and other noise associated effects at work. They cover almost all workplaces from industrial premises to music and entertainment venues, with few exceptions.
If a workplace experiences loud levels of noise it is likely that a noise at work survey will be required. This survey will assess the typical daily activities of the employees and ensure that they are not being exposed to potentially harmful levels of noise in line with the daily exposure action values and exposure limit values set out in the Regulations.
Action and Limit Values
The exposure action values are split into lower and upper values. These values determine the actions required to be undertaken by the employer regarding hearing protection, equipment noise, health surveillance and organisational practices.
The daily or weekly exposure values are a measure of the noise received by employees averaged over the working day or week. The peak sound pressure is the maximum, instantaneous noise level to which employees are exposed to in a working day.
The values are;
Lower exposure action values:
- daily or weekly exposure of 80dB(A);
- peak sound pressure of 135dB(C);
Upper exposure action values;
- daily or weekly exposure of 85dB(A);
- peak sound pressure of 137dB(C);
Exposure limit values;
- daily or weekly exposure of 87dB(A);
- peak sound pressure of 140dB(C).
It should be noted that the exposure action values are the ambient noise levels in the workplace and so do not take into account the effect of any hearing protection. The exposure limit values however, are the noise levels recorded at the ear and so do take into account the effect of hearing protection.
More information on employer’s responsibilities can be found at the Health and Safety Executive website.
‘Guidance for employers on the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005’
