Noise level in db units is a concern in the workplace

The noise level of a place is of concern to many people and the noise level db in the workplace is of particular concern to both employers and employees alike. The measurement of noise level in the workplace, or the noise in db level is something which to needs to be constantly assessed so that the necessary action can be taken. 

What types of noise does the law deal with?

All sound is treated as noise, including speech and music. What must be done depends only on how it measures, not what it sounds like. Sound heard on earphones and headphones also counts, but needs special measurement techniques.

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 place a duty on employers within Great Britain to reduce the risk to their employees’ health by controlling the noise they are exposed to whilst at work. The regulations were established under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and implement European Council directive 2003/10/EC. The regulations replaced the 'Noise at work regulations 1989' which previously covered noise in the workplace. The regulations came into force for most industries on 6 April 2006 with the music and entertainment sectors coming into line two years later on 6 April 2008. 

Differences with previous legislation

The regulations replaced the Noise at Work regulations 1989 which had been introduced as a response to the 1986 European directive 86/188/EEC. Differences between the pieces of legislation included a reduction in the threshold for hearing and protection and the introduction of noise control. It introduced the daily exposure limit value as well as a permitted weekly value. It also introduced requirements for health surveillance and hearing testing.

How long should a worker be exposed to noise?

In accordance with the current regulations every employer shall reduce the risks resulting from exposure to noise to the lowest level reasonably practicable, taking account of technical progress and the availability of measures to control the noise in particular, at source. However the potential risk to an employee’s hearing can be related to the length of time a person is exposed to certain levels of noise, both daily and the cumulative amounts over a number of years.

What is the daily noise exposure level?

This is the time – weighted average of the noise level which an employee is exposed to for a nominal eight hour working day.  If the daily noise exposure varies from one working day to the next, employers may use a weekly noise exposure level to assess the levels of noise to which an employee may be exposed to.

What is the weekly noise exposure level?

This is the time weighted average of the daily noise exposure levels for a normal week of a five eight hour working days.  This may be used by employer to determine the noise exposure to employees if the daily noise exposure varies from one working day to the next. The noise level decibel, or the noise level in db, is measured using special equipment called a sound meter.