How do I comply with the Noise at Work Regulations? To comply with the Noise at Work Regulations, employers must assess noise exposure, reduce noise at source where reasonably practicable, manage remaining risk with organisational controls and hearing protection, train workers, keep records, and review assessments when conditions change.
What is noise at work and why should I care?
As both an employer and employee, noise at work can appear to be nothing more than a nuisance, where health & safety goes over the top and forces employers to provide earplugs and ear defenders to workers who don't want to wear them.
Despite this, there are plenty of great reasons for both employers and workers to sit up and take notice about noise at work.
In order to reduce or prevent flanking and indirect sound in your buildings, there are some key things you should consider.
Doors – When designing the building, think about the type of doors you will use. Doors that are heavy, weather-stripped, and made with effective seals work best to reduce flanking.
Sockets – Flanking can also occur in electrical sockets. In order to prevent this, install your outlets in separate cavities, instead of back to back. Insulation can be added for mass, and ensure they are sealed correctly.
Floating Floors – Making use of floating floors is another way that you can reduce flanking sound. Effectively, this is a floor with a floating surface on top of a layer made from a material like rubber or fibreglass.
When designing and constructing a building, flanking sound needs to be considered at the earliest possible stage to prevent or minimise the risk of it occurring.
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What does a workplace noise survey measure? A workplace noise survey measures average noise exposure over time (dB(A)) and peak or impact noise (dB(C)) to determine whether workers exceed UK legal action values under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations.
Do I need a noise at work risk assessment or a noise survey? If workers may be exposed to harmful noise (around 80 dB(A) or above), UK law requires a noise at work risk assessment. If exposure cannot be confidently estimated, a noise survey with measurements is required to demonstrate compliance.