Noise Assessments (Occupational Noise at work)

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, require employers to prevent or reduce risks to health and safety from exposure to occupational noise at work. The employer is required to conduct noise assessments to assess the risks from occupational noise at work, take action to reduce the noise exposure, make sure the limits are not exceeded, carry out health surveillance where there is risk to health.

Acoustic Surveillance and Testing Ltd can help in all of these areas and conduct Noise Assessments . We have competent staff that can assist in setting up a Noise Assessment Management Program. The program will provide initial assessment, action plan, detailing any problem sources of occupational noise in your working environment. Methods to reduce any problems will include looking to use a different or quieter process, introduce noise control engineering methods, enclose or form barriers between the noise source and the employees, design a low noise layout and limit the time spent in noisy areas.

Occupational noise at work can cause hearing loss which can be temporary or permanent. Permanent hearing damage can be caused by sudden, extremely loud, explosive noise e.g. guns, cartridge nail guns etc. However, hearing loss is usually caused by gradual prolonged exposure to occupational noise. This applies to young and old people. This is why noise assessments are vital.

Under the regulations, as well as Noise Assessments , you MUST provide health surveillance ( hearing tests ) for all employees who are likely to be regularly exposed above the upper exposure action values (85dB exposure or peak sound pressure of 137dB).

For further information on Noise Assessments or for a quote please call +44 (0)8450 21 22 21.

Environmental Noise and PPG24

Of particular interest to architects, developers and planning consultants, is our service to provide environmental noise assessments for noise-sensitive developments as outlined in PPG24. This can be two-fold:

All test equipment used in sound testing and environmental noise and PPG24 surveys is calibrated to BS standards and is traceable. The method of measurement, assessment and prediction is in conjunction with the appropriate standards. For PPG24 , this includes BS 7445: 1991, BS 8233, BS 4142, BS 5821, BS 5228 and also the World Health Organisation (WHO) Guidelines for Community Noise 2000.