Summary of The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005

Occupational noise exposure remains a persistent risk factor that could lead to early hearing loss or permanent tinnitus, particularly where exposure is cumulative or peak-impact based. As a health and safety issue, the Control of Noise at Work Regulations (2005) seek to outline employers’ responsibilities when noise is a workplace hazard.

In this article Ruth Nixon covers the key regulatory duties and thresholds relevant to noise management under the 2005 regulations, and outlines employers’ responsibilities, protective measures for workers, and guidance on selecting appropriate PPE.

The main requirements of the Control of Noise at Work Regulations

In many industries, hearing loss is a daily risk that workers face. To address this, the regulations specify employer duties including:

Work to reduce exposure to noise and minimise noise risks
Provide personal hearing protection devices when noise exposure passes certain thresholds
Monitor the impact of noise on employees’ hearing
Inform employees, instruct them on how to limit risk, and provide training

In some workplaces, noise is rarely an issue. Where formal assessments are lacking, simple spot checks can flag potential hotspots.

How to know when workplace noise levels may be problematic

Any one of the following, or a combination of points, may indicate a need to act against noise in the workplace:

The noise is intrusive
The noise is sustained over most of the working day
Employees have to communicate in raised voices to make themselves heard, even when they are as little as 2 metres apart
Employees use power tools for more than 30 minutes each day
Industries characterised by a noisy environment. For example, airports, construction, or waste and recycling plants.
Noisy impacts occur, or explosives are used

Apart from the risk of hearing loss, workers in noisy environments may be at risk because they are unaware of approaching danger or warning signals. Additional safety measures may be necessary in noisy environments where:

Sounds like back-up beepers or alarms are used to alert workers to hazards
Verbal communications are important in coordinating the safe completion of tasks
Mobile plant (for example, forklifts or trucks) is active on site

Where these conditions are present, a risk assessment is typically the next step to determine appropriate action. This includes:

Identifying noise-related hazards and who is affected
Finding out whether noise control or protection is required by law
Determining whether people are able to work safely
Identify employees who should have periodic hearing tests

Risk assessments are usually updated following operational changes (e.g., new equipment, shift patterns) to ensure alignment with actual noise exposures.

Determine daily personal noise exposure

A combination of the loudness of noises individual workers are exposed to daily and the duration of exposure is summed up as LEP,d. The peak noise exposure (LCpeak) indicates the loudest noise they may encounter. This takes into consideration:

What work people do
How they do it
How it varies throughout the day and from day to day

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) online calculators are suitable for preliminary assessments. These can be double-checked with measurements of the actual noise in the workplace.

In all instances, the figures are calculated without taking hearing protection devices into account. The final calculation can express LEP,d, or average exposure over a week (LEP,w).

Noise levels at which action is required

In line with the regulations, action is triggered at LEP,d or LEP,w ranges between 80 to 85 decibels and when peak noise levels (LCpeak) are between 135 to 137 decibels.

Actions include:

Choosing quieter processes or quieter equipment
Limiting noise exposure times

If the noise levels are at or above the maximums mentioned, employers are required to implement a noise control programme. If noise levels are below the minimums stated above, they may not need to take any action. However, if there are ways to lower noise exposure, the Control of Noise at Work Regulations say employers should do so.

How to know when workplace noise levels may be problematic

Although it would be impossible to list every industry or examine every scenario in a Control of Noise at Work Regulations summary, the regulations call on employers to do what is “practicable” to reduce workplace noise exposure. This can involve a range of approaches, such as:

Removing the source of noise (for example, soundproof housings)
Reducing the noise at its source
Using quieter equipment or processes
Using noise reduction barriers
Creating quiet spaces
Limiting the number of people in noisy spaces and the time they spend there
Implementing a purchasing policy that prioritises low-noise equipment
Ensuring the quietest possible operation of equipment through regular maintenance

Where control measures rely on employee participation, clear communication of the rationale and protocols can help reinforce compliance. Training can support this, alongside regular supervisory oversight.

Using hearing protection in the workplace

When hearing protection is the only practicable way to reduce risk, requirements include:

Providing hearing protection at noise levels exceeding the upper exposure value and ensuring it is correctly used
Providing hearing protection on request when noise levels are between the lower and upper exposure levels
Identify and restrict access to hearing protection zones where hearing protection is mandatory
Selecting the correct level of certified hearing protection, and ensuring it is compatible with other PPE to be used
Training employees on its use and implementing supervisory checks
Encouraging employees to report faulty hearing protection
Maintaining hearing protection and replacing it as necessary

Employee training, health surveillance, and interaction with health and safety reps

Employee training needs include:

Information on how noise affects them and what noise levels they are subject to
Their right to hearing protection, where to get it, and how to use it
How to spot problems with hearing protection and where to report issues
What steps will be taken to ensure compliance
Health surveillance measures (periodic hearing checks for at-risk employees)

Similarly, consulting with safety reps is required, making them aware of risk assessments, and getting their feedback on the intended safety measures.

Responding to signs of hearing damage

Where hearing damage is identified, prioritising the prevention of further harm is essential. This may involve reviewing risk assessments or requiring more frequent health surveillance. Records should be kept of what has occurred and what steps have been taken to reduce risks further.

Communicate and protect with Radiocoms and 3M Peltor

On complex work sites where workers must be well-coordinated to limit risk, robust two-way radios are often enough for the necessary communications. However, when noise at work presents a risk, you may need hearing protection coupled with communication.

With 3M PELTOR hearing protection headsets, these two aims are achievable. They are designed for comfort, colour-coded according to protection level, and equipped with noise-cancelling technology for crystal-clear communication. Contact Radiocoms to discuss your hearing protection and site communication needs. Our team is solutions-focused and here to help you.