'Foghorn' livestock auctioneer investigated as a noise hazard

A livestock auctioneer is under investigation because safety watchdogs think his loud voice may be a noise hazard. Officials from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are examining whether David Probert could damage visitors' hearing at Hereford Market.

David Probert said he will carry on as normal while investigations take place

Mr Probert has been told his voice can reach the same level as standing within 25m (82ft) of a jet aircraft. The HSE said it had received a complaint about Mr Probert and was "duty bound" to investigate. But, officials added that they were taking a "fairly low priority approach".

Health and Safety rules state employers should provide ear protection for people exposed to average levels of 85 decibels over an eight-hour period. But Mr Probert said his weekly auctions "very rarely" last longer than two hours. He said he intends to carry on as normal and is more concerned "about the ridicule likely to be heaped upon the HSE".

He told the BBC: "I find it incredulous that my voice should raise concerns. If you compare the noise I make for a short period of time with noise at a nightclub or a football match, it gets rather ridiculous. Their criteria is that for the short period of time I am operating during the week, the noise levels they will investigate are the equivalent to standing within 25 metres of a jet aircraft taking off - apparently I am that loud. I am continuing as I have for 40 years on the premise that if I had damaged people's health there would be a lot of deaf people in Hereford."

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