Noise at Work Policy

Sept 2009

Policy & Detail / Cross References
POLICY / The university will ensure that the exposure of any employees or others to the adverse effects of noise during approved university activity is either prevented or, where this is not reasonably practicable, that such exposure is adequately controlled. / Note: Noise will apply to staff at work as well as students in approved activity in Music, D&T etc and audiences/visitors to YSJ activity.
Responsibility for Implementation / Deans & Directors
Specific tasks may be delegated to appropriate and experienced staff.
Standards / 1 / All University work activities subject to high levels of noise must be subjected to risk assessment via the procedures detailed in 2 – 7 below.
2 / All work activities must be subject to an Initial Noise Assessment of actual or predicted noise levels as part of the general process of risk assessment. / See Definitions
3 / Where the Initial Noise Assessment indicates that noise levels may be approaching or may exceed the Lower Exposure Action or Limit Value, action must be taken by management to reduce noise exposure and advice sought from the Health & Safety Office. / Appendix 1
4 / On receiving such a notification, the Health and Safety Office will carry out a Basic Noise Assessment. / See Definitions
5 / Where a Basic Noise Assessment confirms that noise levels may be approaching or may exceed the Lower Exposure Action Value, the Health and Safety Office will arrange for a Noise Risk Assessment to be undertaken by a competent person, to determine personal exposure. / NB Noise consultant to be confirmed.
6 / All recommendations as to noise control following Assessments will be notified to the Dean or Director. This may include a requirement for employees to be referred to the University Occupational Health Adviser for health surveillance, to include testing of their hearing. / Table 1
7 / All staff involved in work where there is liable to be significant noise level exposure must be made aware of the need for health surveillance. / See University Nose Health Surveillance’ Appx 2
8 / Management and staff must co-operate with the University Occupational Health Service to ensure that any health surveillance required is carried out in accordance with their advice and requirements as defined by the HSE.
8 / In addition to the above, expectant mothers must not be exposed to noise levels in excess of 85dB(A)
Relevant Legislation / Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
Guidance / HSE Noise Microsite
‘Protect your hearing or lose it’ INDG363.
‘ Noise at Work – Guidance for Employers’ INDG 362
‘ Noise at Woodworking machines’ WIS13
‘Noise at metalworking saws’ EIS27
‘Noise in Agriculture’ AS8
Noise at Work in Music and entertainment

‘The Event Safety Guide, Sound : noise and vibration’ HSG 195

Definitions / Noise
Defined as “any audible sound”, but for the purposes of health and safety, the quality/acceptability of sound to individuals is not relevant and only sound pressure levels are considered.
Initial Assessment
An initial subjective judgement carried out applying the following rules :
If normal conversation is difficult at a distance of 2 metres, the Lower Exposure Action Level may have been reached.
Basic Noise Assessment
Noise levels will be monitored at the source(s) using a sound level meter, at a distance of 1 metre from the source(s) and at representative areas in the workplace. Noise Diaries will be completed by those exposed.
Noise Risk Assessment
A more detailed assessment of noise levels monitored at the source(s) and throughout the workplace. This will include use of a sound level meter and personal dose meters. Daily personal noise exposures will be determined. Noise Assessment will be undertaken by a specialist ‘Competent Person
Competent Person
Defined as a person possessing the knowledge, skills and experience to :
• understand the purposes of the assessments
• understand what information needs to be obtained
• understand his/her own limitations
• know how to make measurements
• know how to record, analyse and explain results
• know which equipment to use
• know how interpret information given by others and calculate probable noise exposures
Lower Exposure Action Value
• daily or weekly exposure of 80dB(A)
• peak sound pressure of 135dB(C)
Upper Exposure Action Value
• daily or weekly exposure of 85dB(A)
• peak sound pressure of 137dB(C)
Exposure Limit Value (see ‘Notes’)
• daily or weekly exposure of 87dB(A)
• peak sound pressure of 140dB(C)
Daily Personal Noise Exposure
The total noise received by an employee over a working day of 8 hours.
Weekly Personal Noise Exposure (see ‘Notes’)
The total noise received by an employee over a working week, consisting of 5 x 8-hour days
Notes: / The Exposure Limit Values only must take into account the effects of hearing protection on noise exposure.
• Weekly averaging of noise exposure is permitted when noise exposures vary from day to day
Review Date / 2 Years after initial approval

Health & Safety Noise PolicyN1

Appendix 1

Health and Safety Manual Section N1 - Appendix 1

Guidance Notes

Health Effects of Noise

• Defined as “any audible sound”,noise is capable of causing/making worse health problems in several ways :

  • Can cause a variety of noise-induced physical and psychological health problems, such as :

otemporary hearing loss

opermanent hearing loss

otinnitus

overtigo

ostress

oheadaches

onausea

ofatigue

  • Can distract/interfere with work, becoming a causative factor in accidents
  • Can mask other sounds, e.g. fire alarm sounders and other warning devices

Noise Assessments

• University-related activities on or off University premises that are likely to require an Initial Assessment are :

  • Maintenance workshops
  • D&T Workshops
  • Use of power tools on site
  • Use of powered gardens and grounds equipment
  • Use of noisy vehicles
  • Faculty of Arts - Music Department Studios and performance spaces.
  • University performance spaces (licenced and unlicenced )

• Noise Risk Assessments must take the following into account :

  • The level, type and duration of noise
  • Exposure Action and Limit Values
  • The effects on the health of those at particular risk from exposure to noise
  • So far as is practicable, any effects on the health and safety of employees from the interaction between noise and the use of ototoxic substances
  • So far as is practicable, any effects on the health and safety of employees from the interaction between noise and vibration
  • Any indirect effects on the health and safety of employees from the interaction between noise and audible warning or other sounds that need to be audible
  • Any information provided by the manufacturers of work equipment
  • The availability of alternative equipment designed to reduce noise emissions
  • Any extension of noise exposure beyond normal working hours, including rest facilities provided by the University
  • Appropriate information obtained following health surveillance
  • The availability of adequate personal protective equipment

Methods of Noise Control

• Control measures to reduce exposure to noise must follow the risk control hierarchy as applied to noise and include :

  • Reducing the noise at source
  • Enclosing the noise source
  • Reduction in exposure time (see Noise Exposure Limits)
  • Appropriate work schedules and rest periods
  • Providing information, instruction and training
  • Providing audiometric hearing assessment for those exposed
  • Using personal hearing protection

• The level recommended by the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers to achieve a satisfactory working environment in offices, computer rooms, lecture theatres and other teaching areas should not exceed 55dB(A).

Entertainment Events

• Very high noise levels can be experienced at places of entertainment, and the standards already detailed above apply to staff.

• In addition, the general requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act apply to audience exposure to noise and the following standards are to be applied :

  • Noise levels are not to exceed an average of 107dB(A)
  • Noise levels are not to exceed a peak of 140dB(A)
  • Where noise levels are expected to exceed 96dB(A), advance warning must be given – either printed on tickets or displayed at the entrance of the event.
  • No person shall be permitted any closer than 3 metres to a loudspeaker

Noise Exposure Limits

• The following table illustrates the maximum daily exposure limits for continuous steady noise levels, without personal hearing protectors, provided that the rest of the working day an employee does not exceed 80dB(A).

Exposure Hours/Day / Maximum Sound Level dB(A)
8
4
2
1
½
¼ / 85
88
91
94
97
100

Health & Safety Noise Policy L1

Appendix 2

University Noise Health Surveillance

Approved by H&SC Sept 2009

(H&S Office Policy Reference Number HSP7)