OHSS: Guidance 105.1 Occupational Noise Occupational Noise Contents Scope... 2 Introduction to Noise... 2 Effects of Hearing Loss... 2 Managing Noise Risks... 2 Estimating Noise Exposure... 4 Noise Risk Assessment... 4 Risk Assessment in Practice... 4 Noise Measurement... 4 Noise Exposure Levels... 6 Controlling Noise... 6 Buying New or Used Equipment... 6 Hierarchy of Controls... 7 Hearing Protection... 7 Information, Instruction and Training... 8 Health Surveillance... 9 Further Information and Guidance... 10 Page 1 of 10
Scope The purpose of this guidance is to provide further practical advice and guidance on how to control occupational noise. Please note that this guidance does not cover noise nuisance where the noise causes disruption or annoyance. This guidance should be read in conjunction with the management standard which details the responsibilities of different staff within Units to manage this hazard. Introduction to Noise Noise is defined as any audible sound. There are a number of key messages in relation to noise: Hearing loss at work is preventable, but once your hearing has gone it will not come back. Damage can cause loss of hearing ability and people may also suffer a permanent sensation of ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus. Hearing loss caused by noise at work continues to be a significant occupational disease. There are many practical, cost effective ways of protecting staff and students. Factors that contribute to hearing damager are noise levels and how long people are exposed to the noise, daily or over a number of years. The most efficient and effective way of controlling noise is by technical or organisational means that protect staff or students at the source of the noise. Health surveillance or hearing checks are vital to detect and respond to early signs of damage. Health surveillance is only provided for staff. Loud noise makes you make more mistakes and errors Effects of Hearing Loss Noise induced hearing loss is irreversible damage to the ears cause by exposure to high levels of noise. If your ears are ringing or sounds seem muted and distant after you ve been in a noisy environment you are usually experiencing a temporary type of hearing loss. This is sometimes called temporary threshold shift. If you rest in a quiet environment your hearing can recover. However repeated exposure to loud noise can result in loss of hearing which happens gradually and may not be immediately apparent. Recordings are available which demonstrate how hearing is gradually lost over a working life. Noise can also lead to problems hearing audible alarms or can cause a distraction or interfere with work becoming a causative factor in accidents. Managing Noise Risks Figure 1 below summarises the requirements for both employers (i.e. Newcastle University) and employees. Please note that students are not specifically covered by the Noise at Work Regulations but the University still has a general duty of care and has chosen to treat students in the same way as staff (with the exception of health surveillance). Page 2 of 10
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Estimating Noise Exposure Deciding if you have a noise problem at work will depend on how loud the noise is and how long people are exposed to it. Figure 2 contains two columns. If any of the following situations listed in the left hand column apply you will probably need to control the noise. The right hand column contains a list of University areas/ work activities where again you will probably need to control noise. Is the noise intrusive like a busy street, a vacuum cleaner or a crowded restaurant for most of the working day? Do your employees have to raise their voices to carry out a normal conversation when about 2m apart for at least part of the day? Do your employees use noisy powered tools or machinery for more than half an hour each day? Do you work doing noisy activities e.g. wood working, engineering, fabrication, pressing or stamping? Are there noises due to impacts (such as hammering, drop forging, pneumatic impact tools) explosive sources such as cartridge operated tools or detonators or guns? Figure 2 Situations that indicate a potential noise problem Examples of University related areas and activities on or off University premises that are likely to require a Noise Assessment are: Mechanical workshops Woodworking workshops Engineering workshops Use of power tools Use of powered garden and grounds equipment Use of noisy vehicles Entertainment noise e.g. disco, karaoke or live bands Noise Risk Assessment Risk Assessment in Practice The aim of a noise risk assessment is to help you decide what you need to do to ensure the health and safety of your staff and any students who are exposed to noise. It is more than just taking measurements of noise. The risk assessment should: Identify where there may be a risk from noise and who is likely to be affected; Contain a reliable estimate of your staff s exposures and compare the exposure with the exposure action values and limit values (see further information below); Identify what you need to do to comply with the law e.g. whether noise control measures or hearing protection are needed and if so, where and what type; and Identify any employees who need to be provided with health surveillance and whether any are at particular risk. The University has a noise risk assessment template which is available from the OHSS website. A decision will need to be made as to who should carry out this risk assessment. Consideration will need to be given to the complexity of the assessment and the competence level required. In some cases it may be appropriate for assessments to be carried out by the Unit (e.g. indicative measurements). In other cases it may be an appropriate Health & Safety Adviser from OHSS or Page 4 of 10
an external noise consultant that is required to carry out the assessment. Unit staff are encouraged to discuss their needs beforehand with OHSS who will advise accordingly. Noise Measurement Noise is measured in decibels (db). An A-weighting sometimes written as db (A) is used to measure average noise levels, and a C-weighting or db (C), to measure peak, impact or explosive noises. You might just notice a 3dB change in noise level because of the way our ears work. Yet every 3dB doubles the noise, so what might seem like small differences in the numbers can be quite significant. There are two pieces of equipment that can be used to measure noise. A sound level meter can be used for static monitoring or a noise dosimeter can be worn by highly mobile staff. Both machines record the sound in decibels. Neither machine has the ability to record the speech of individuals being monitored. Pictures of both pieces of equipment are provided as Figure 3. OHSS have a calibrated sound level meter and are happy to carry out monitoring for Units. OHSS can also assist Units with arrangements to hire noise dosimeters. The cost of hiring a noise dosimeter for one week is approximately 75. Figure 3 A sound level meter and employee wearing a shoulder mounted noise dosimeter Page 5 of 10
Noise Exposure Levels The Noise at Work Regulations provide a number of exposure levels which then require the University to take particular actions. Exposure limit or action value Below lower exposure action value Above lower exposure action values Above upper exposure action values Exposure limit values Daily or weekly personal average noise exposure Less than 80 db ( A weighted) Above 80 db ( A weighted) Above 85 db ( A weighted) Cannot take the effect of hearing protection into account 87dB Allowed to take hearing protection into account Peak Sound Pressure Less than 135 db ( C weighted) Above 135 db ( C weighted) Above 137dB ( C weighted) Cannot take the effect of hearing protection into account 140dB Allowed to take hearing protection into account Actions required by University No further action necessary Provide information and training Make hearing protection available upon request Reduce noise exposure using engineering or other technical measures. Ensure staff and student wear hearing protectors Designate hearing protection zone Provide health surveillance for staff Take all measures to reduce noise exposure to below the limit values Controlling Noise Buying New or Used Equipment The Health and Safety Executive promotes the buy quiet scheme which is about manufacturers, importers, suppliers and users of equipment working together to reduce the risks from noise in the workplace. If you are purchasing new equipment ensure noise is one of the factors considered in your purchasing decision. Manufacturers and suppliers are legally required to provide information on the noise levels for any new equipment which enables direct comparisons to be made between different brands. You can also discuss noise levels for your particular task with suppliers to see if modifications or alterations can be built into the equipment. Particular care should be taken with equipment coming from outside the European Union as there are different standards in the rest of the world. Anyone supplying second hand equipment for use at work must ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, that it is safe and without risks to health. There is no set standard or limit for what would constitute an excessively noisy piece of equipment which is why it is important that as a prospective purchaser the University makes all reasonable enquiries about used machinery including the level of noise. If possible the machine should be seen working and sound level readings taken. If this is not possible information may be available from the manufacturer (e.g. by obtaining the Page 6 of 10
appropriate user manual). Care should be exercised in purchasing used equipment as once it is installed on campus the University will be responsible for any additional (and possibly expensive) controls to reduce excessive noise levels. Always remember buy quiet. Hierarchy of Controls Where ever there is noise at work you should be looking for alternative processes, equipment and/or working methods which would make the work quieter or mean people are exposed for shorter times. OHSS can provide advice to Units to decide on practical, cost effective action to control noise risks. Only in exceptional cases should it be necessary to pay for external acoustic consultants to provide advice on schemes of control. There is a clear hierarchy of controls for any noise control programme. First think about how to remove the source of noise altogether, for example housing a noisy machine where it cannot be heard by workers. If that is not possible, investigate: Using quieter equipment or a different, quieter process; Engineering/ technical controls to reduce, at source, the noise produced by a machine or process; Using screens, barriers, enclosures and absorbent materials to reduce the noise on its path to the people exposed; Designing and laying out the workplace to create quiet workstations; Improved working techniques to reduce noise levels; Limiting the time people spend in noisy areas. Measures that give ongoing or medium and long term benefits and would also be expected to be part of your Units noise control programme are: A low noise purchasing policy (see section above) Proper and regular maintenance of machinery and equipment that take account of noise. Hearing protection should be a last resort and should only be issued to employees: Where extra protection is needed above what has been achieved using noise control; As a short term measure while other methods of controlling noise are being developed. More information on the selection, fitting and maintenance of hearing protection is provided below. The Health and Safety Executive have a microsite called Sound Advice which contains practical guidelines on the control of noise at work in music and entertainment. These guidelines should be followed by Units where music and entertainment is provided as part of University business. Hearing Protection Line managers are required to provide employees with hearing protection if they ask for it and their noise exposure is between the lower and upper exposure action values (see section above). Line managers must provide your employees with hearing protectors and make sure they use them properly when their noise exposure exceeds the upper exposure action values. Page 7 of 10
The main types of hearing protection are: Ear muffs Ear plugs Semi Inserts ( canal caps ) The selection of hearing protection may not be as straight forward as you may think. Points to consider include: Selecting hearing protection that provides the correct level of protection for the noise. Noise can be broken down into particular frequencies (called Octave bands). Different ear plugs provide protection at different frequencies. The degree of protection (called attenuation) should be assessed having regard to the frequency of the noise measured in your workplace. In terms of frequency, higher frequencies are more damaging than lower ones. Information on frequencies is provided as part of your noise assessment. OHSS can help Units to select a range of hearing protection with the correct attenuation. Compatibility with other personal protective equipment e.g. safety glasses or hard hats. Where ever possible provide your employees with a range of hearing protectors so they can choose ones that suit them. Some employees may prefer a particular type or may not be able to use some types of hearing protection because of the risk of ear infections. Detailed guidance on the selection, use, care and maintenance of hearing protectors is detailed in Part 5 (page 73) of the HSE publication reference L108 Controlling Noise at Work The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 Guidance on Regulations. It is expected that Units will follow the guidance provided in this document. Hearing Protection Zones Hearing protection zones provide a way to manage the use of hearing protection. They give a reminder to those employees for whom hearing protection is compulsory during particular jobs or activities. Each individual unit is responsible for designating hearing protection zones having regard to their noise assessment. The Unit must designate as hearing protection zones any areas of your workplace where the upper exposure action value would be likely to be exceeded if personnel spent a significant portion of the working day within them, even if access is generally infrequent e.g. plant rooms or compressor houses. Page 8 of 10
Hearing protection zones will need to be marked with signs (see pictogram on next page) at every entrance and at appropriate places within the zones as necessary. Each individual unit is responsible for putting up and maintaining signs. Controlling Noise from Contractors The Estates Support Service (ESS) are usually responsible for managing contractors and this will include any risks arising from noisy work on campus. ESS have written arrangements on controlling noise from contactors which should be read in conjunction with this guidance. For any Units which arrange their own contactors independently of ESS then the Unit will be responsible for planning the work to avoid exposing contractors, staff and students to excessive noise. Information, Instruction and Training All staff and students who work in noisy environments should be provided with relevant and appropriate information on noise which covers: The risk of noise having regard to their role or work activities; The controls in place; The types of hearing protectors available and how to use and care for them; Any other safe working practices. Employees should be consulted on the measures to control noise. This is particularly important when selecting controls and personal protective equipment. Poorly designed controls which interfere with the efficiency of a task are less likely to be used by staff or students. There is lots of information available on noise with a summary provided in the further information section below. Health Surveillance You must provide health surveillance for all employees who are likely to be frequently exposed above the upper exposure action values or are at risk for any reason e.g. they already suffer from hearing loss or are particularly sensitive to damage. Health surveillance is a programme of systematic health checks to identify early signs and symptoms of hearing loss and prevent its progression. Page 9 of 10
Any employees whose work will involve exposure to loud noise will need to complete a preplacement assessment. There is a pre-employment procedure which details the scope, rationale, application and process of this screening. New employees may need to have a hearing check (audiometry) to provide a baseline measure of hearing shortly after starting their period of employment. Employees should then be checked annually for the first two years and then at periods every three years after that. The Occupational Health Team does not have the ability to offer audiometry in house but can make arrangements for individuals to be tested with an external provider. The Unit is responsible for meeting the costs of audiometry for their staff. The results of hearing checks will be shared with the individual and their line manager with a view to working in partnership with OHSS to review the adequacy of existing control measures. The records will inform on the individuals fitness to continue to work in noisy environments. The Occupational Health team will retain records of hearing checks for every employee. Further Information and Guidance Occupational Health Team Pre-employment Screening Occupational Health Team Health Surveillance advice Estates Support Service Noise Control of ESS Arrangements Health and Safety Executive Noise homepage Health and Safety Executives Sound Advice microsite The Noise at Work Regulations 2005 Page 10 of 10