018 – Control of Noise Guidance

Guidance : Control of Noise / Issue Date and Version Number: To be added / Page: 1 of 4
Review Date:
To be added(or sooner if there is a change in legislation or to reflect best practice) / Related Policies and Guidance:
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INTRODUCTION

If noise levels are considered to be causing a risk to a person’s hearing, or if the levels are likely to reduce the audibility of any emergency warning sound, then a school should take any necessary action to reduce this noise. These measures may include:

  • Assessing risks from noise
  • Taking measures to reduce noise exposure where a risk assessment shows that this is necessary
  • Ensuring the level of noise generated is taken into account when a new piece of equipment is purchased or hired
  • Providing hearing protection where necessary if risk cannot be adequately reduced by other means
  • Providing training and information for employees on the risks from noise and the measures in place to reduce noise
  • Providing health surveillance where the risk assessment shows this is appropriate.

The majority of school staff do not require assessments as stipulated by the Noise at Work Regulations, due to the low noise levels or short duration of exposure of their working pattern. However there are some staff who work with machinery or equipment, who may require noise monitoring and controls to reduce their exposure whilst working. i.e.-

  • D&T teachers and technicians
  • Maintenance / Facilities staff
  • ICT staff working with or near servers

RESPONSIBILITIES

Head Teachers and Governors

  • Support the implementation of the noise regulations within the school and ensure staff have the necessary skills and competence.
  • Support in the implementation of measures to comply with the Noise at Work Regulations.
  • Ensure noise factors are taken into account when hiring or purchasing new equipment
  • Ensure that the necessary risk assessments have been undertaken for any equipment used by their staff
  • Implement and enforce noise control measures
  • Ensure that staff are suitably trained in all aspects of operating equipment, including noise control.

Employees

  • Use all equipment and noise control measures in accordance with instructions
  • Wear hearing protection where required
  • Maintain hearing protection and any other noise control equipment
  • Report any defects or difficulties with hearing protection or any other noise control equipment
  • Co-operate with any programme of health surveillance which is identified as necessary following risk assessment.

NOISE LEVELS

Action values are usually determined over an average noise level throughout the day, except where there may be loud impact and/or explosive noises.

  • The Lower Exposure Action Value (LEAV) means a daily personal exposure level of 80-85 dB(A)
  • The Upper Exposure Action Value (UAEV) means a daily personal exposure level in excess of 85 dB(A)
  • The Exposure Limit Value (ELV) is a peak sound pressure of 87dB(A)/140 dB(C), (the peak pressure is the highest pressure reached by the sound wave). This measurement is taken at the ear taking into account the reduction of noise levels afforded by hearing protection.

Personal exposure is a combination of noise level and length of exposure. The following limits will therefore be applicable:

Maximum Sound level dB(A) / Exposure Duration (Hours per day)
85 / 8
88 / 4
91 / 2
94 / 1
97 / 30 minutes
100 / 15 minutes
115 / 28 seconds

NOISE RISK ASSESSMENTS

A noise risk assessment is required whenever it is likely that exposure will occur at or above the LEAV. If you are likely to be exposed to noise at work, a competent person must carry out a noise assessment.

A guide to this is the following:

  • If noise is intrusive but normal conversation is possible, likely noise level is approximately 80dB
  • If you have to shout to someone 2 meters away, likely noise is approximately 85dB
  • If you have to shout to someone 1 meter away, likely noise level is 90dB

The risk assessment requires:

  • An assessment of the type and level of noise; this may come from manufacturers data for individual pieces of equipment, or from sound level measurement, especially where multiple pieces of equipment operate in an area simultaneously. Additional noise e.g. background music should also be included.
  • Identify who might be affected
  • The likely exposure time of an individual; taking into account their working patterns and noise exposure, during breaks etc.
  • Assessment of indirect risk e.g. the risk of the individual’s not hearing warning alarms due to the noise levels
  • Consideration for any additional risk factors, such as the presence of vibration, or a solvent.

The risk assessment should include an action plan which documents the measures already in place to reduce the risk from noise exposure and any further measured planned. The assessment can be either a stand alone document or incorporated into the overall risk assessment for a process if this is more appropriate.

The assessment must be reviewed at least every 2 years and if necessary more frequently when there have been changes.

If no significant changes have been identified, the noise level measurements must be re-evaluated no longer than 5 years after the initial measurement.

HEARING PROTECTION

Hearing protection is required as a supplementary measure when noise levels cannot be efficiently controlled at source, or by the use of other methods.

The hearing protection supplied must be suitable for the conditions in which they will be used.

Consideration must be given to:

  • The job or task involved and the working environment.
  • The level and nature of the noise exposure.
  • The compatibility with other protective equipment which may need to be worn.

Hearing protection should be readily available and provided on a personal issue basis.

If disposable hearing protection is to be worn, hearing protection dispensers should be readily available and kept topped up at all times.

Hearing protection should also be stored properly, well maintained and regularly inspected by a competent person.

TRAINING AND INSTRUCTION

It is the Head Teacher’s responsibility to advise people about the risk of damage to hearing when exposed to loud noise and the steps that should be taken to minimise this risk.

The Head Teacher will be required to provide the person with information about hearing protection, including:

  • The adverse effects if noise
  • Why they are being issued with hearing protection.
  • When they should wear hearing protection
  • How the hearing protection should be worn
  • How the hearing protection should be worn with other protective equipment, if applicable.
  • How factors such as long hair, spectacles, earrings, hats or leads from personal stereos can reduce the effectiveness of their hearing protection.
  • Where to store the hearing protection after use.
  • The need for health surveillance
  • When and where replacements can be obtained from.

HEALTH SURVEILLANCE

Under the Management of the Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employees exposed to certain types of health risks should be provided with appropriate health surveillance.

Employees are encouraged to seek advice from a doctor where hearing loss is suspected.

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