Warning to employers to comply with new noise control regulations

With one month to go, RNID and the TUC are warning employers and employees to take hearing damage more seriously in preparation for the new Control of Noise at Work Regulations coming into effect on 6th April 2006. The tighter Noise at Work regulations will provide improved protection for workers from one of Britain's most serious occupational diseases.

RNID, the national charity representing the UK's 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people, and the TUC are concerned that noise is still one of the most underestimated workplace risks. Indeed, excessive noise in the workplace has caused an estimated half a million people living in Great Britain today to suffer deafness or other ear difficulties

Brian Lamb, Director of Communications at RNID, says: 'Prolonged exposure to loud noise can cause permanent hearing loss and employers have a legal duty to cut down noise and protect their employees from the harmful effects of noise at work. However, employees also have to play their part and use the hearing protection available to them.

'Noise induced hearing loss is often cumulative and not immediately obvious, so its threat is seldom recognised or taken seriously. Whilst the effects of noise are irreversible, noise induced hearing loss is totally preventable.'

Brian Lamb continues: 'Most people don't realise how important their hearing is until they start to lose it. Everyday activities such as watching the TV, using a phone, going to the cinema, and even keeping up with a conversation in a group can become difficult.'

Hugh Robertson, Senior Health and Safety Executive at the TUC, says: "If properly implemented these regulations will save the hearing of literally hundreds of thousands of people. If they are ignored or implemented half-heartedly employers could face a wave of compensation claims from staff. Better to rigorously enforce safe noise levels to prevent hearing damage, in industry but also entertainment and construction, than leave employees to go through the courts for compensation after their hearing has already been harmed."

Under the new regulations the noise levels at which workers will be required to have hearing protection available, and the level at which they will be required to wear hearing protection have been reduced by 5dB(A) to 80dB(A) and 85dB(A) respectively.  Hearing protection must ensure that average noise levels reaching a worker's ears are never above 87 dB (A). However, many employers are unprepared for the new, stricter regime while employees need to be educated about their rights under the legislation.

Employers must reduce noise through a 'hierarchy of control measures' ranging from acoustic and mechanical design down to hearing surveillance (i.e. tests) and protection. The best solution is to get rid of the noise at source. When this is not possible the employer has to make suitable ear protection available free of charge. Noise is also a sign of wasted energy. By reducing noise output by machinery, employers will make efficiency gains.

RNID and the TUC are calling upon employers to lower or eliminate employees' exposure to noise through the following ways:

• Replace old machinery with newer, quieter models.
  
• If you are thinking about buying new machinery, ensure that you find out about noise levels before you decide what to buy.
  
• Discuss with the supplier ways of ensuring that equipment makes as little noise as possible.
  
• Reduce noise from equipment by changing how it is mounted or installing silencers or enclosures.
  
• Have equipment regularly maintained.
  
• Keep noisy machinery in a separate work area.
  
• Ensure that employees do not spend longer than absolutely necessary in a noisy working environment or create a noise-reduced enclosure for employees.
  
• Reduce reverberations by changing the acoustics of the room or work area with material that absorbs sound.
  

RNID and the TUC are also urging anyone who is concerned about their hearing to take RNID's five minute telephone hearing check on 0845 600 55 55.

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