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GUIDELINES TOTHE NOISE

REGULATIONS

Exposure to high levels of noise,either continuously or as a suddenloud “bang” from cartridgeoperated tools or guns, can causeincurable deafness, oftenaccompanied by a ringing in theears. Noise will also interferewith communications and soincrease the risks of accidents.

The important factorsin causing noise inducedhearing loss are:

• the level of noisethis is measured in decibels(dBA). Because the noise levelscan vary throughout a workingday, it may be necessary tomeasure noise using a meterwhich gives an average level forthe day.

As a rough guide, if it isdifficult to hear normalconversation at 2 m, the noiselevel is probably too high(over 85 dBA)

• the length of time a person isexposed to noise, both during theday and the cumulative amountsover a matter of years.

As well as the noise associatedwith work, additional sources frompiped music or personal stereos cancontribute to the overall noise level.

Purpose of theRegulations

The Regulations are aimed atprotecting workers from the risks totheir hearing caused by noise and atpreventing hearing loss anddeafness.

They apply to all workplacesand all workers (except, for themoment, crew members in sea orair transport)

The Regulations includerequirements for:

• identifying a noise problem andassessing the levels.

• keeping records

• action to be taken to reduce therisk from noise by reducing it atsource

• ear protections

• hearing checks

• inspection of records

• penalties for a breach of theRegulations.

These guidelines are intended foremployers and employees to assistin understanding the Regulations onNoise* which came into effect on1st July 1990. They are not a legalinterpretation of the Regulations.

*European Communities(Protection of Workers)(Exposure to Noise) Regulations1990, S.I. No. 157 of 1990

replacing the Factories (Noise)Regulations, 1975, S.I. No. 235 of1975.

These may be obtained from:

Government Publications SalesOffice,Sun Alliance House, MolesworthStreet,Dublin 2.Tel: (01) 661 3111

Published in Oct. 1995 by theHealth and Safety Authority,10 Hogan Place, Dublin 2.© All rights reserved.No part of this publication maybe reproduced, stored in aretrieval system, or transmittedin any form or by any means,electronic, mechanical,photocoying, recording orotherwise, without the priorpermission of the Health andSafety Authority.

-above 90 dBA (Reg. 5 & 6)In addition to the previousrequirements, when the exposure levelis above 90 dBA the employer has:• to identify the reasons for the

excess noise level and put in placea programme of reductionmeasures as outlined above

• to put up clearly visible and legiblesigns indicating that the noise in thearea is likely to exceed 90 dBA.

Workers and their representativesmust be informed:• that the daily personal exposure

may exceed 90 dBA and of thepotential damage to hearing

• about the measurements taken ofthe noise levels

• about what is being done to reducethe noise levels

• that ear protection is available andmust be worn

Workers must be trained wherenecessary.

Ear protection (Reg. 7)The employer must supplysufficient numbers of suitable earprotectors, consulting the workersregarding the suitability andadequacy of the type chosen.

Ear protectors are only suitableand adequate if, when properlyworn, they will reduce the level ofnoise below 90 dBA.

Part of the necessary trainingwill be to ensure that workers knowexactly how to use the earprotectors chosen.

There are ISO and BritishStandards for ear protectors.

This sign should be displayedwherever there is a risk of noiseabove 90dBA.

Identifying a noiseproblem (Reg. 4)An employer must assess the levelof noise in the workplace.

If any workers are exposed to adaily personal noise exposure above85 dBA, then measurements mustbe taken. These measurementsmust be properly planned andcarried out by a competent person.A competent person is someonewith knowledge of the Regulations,the ability to use and understand theequipment, record and interpret theresults and to makerecommendations on reducing therisks of hearing damage.

The measurements must berepeated at appropriate intervals, inparticular, when there is anysignificant change in work patternsor equipment. The measurementstaken must reflect the actual amountof noise the worker is exposed toover the working day.

The measurements may be takenin the workplace used by the workeror by using instruments attached tothe worker.

Maintenance of Records(Reg. 4)The results of each assessment ormeasurement should be recorded onthe form as in Annex 1 of theRegulations. These records must bekept for three years and be availableto the worker concerned or hisrepresentative and by the inspectorsof the Health and Safety Authority.

between 85 AND 90 dBA (Reg. 5)The employer must (in addition toreducing noise levels as above) informeach potentially affected worker andtheir representatives of:• the measurements taken of the

noise and the possible risk tohearing

• what is being done to reduce thenoise level

• the advisability of wearing earprotectors, where and how toobtain and how to wear them

• hearing checks that are availableand provide any appropriatetraining.

ACTION YOU SHOULD TAKE TO REDUCE THE RISK FROM NOISE

In general… (Reg.6)An employer has a duty to reduce the level of noise exposure in the workplace to the lowest levelreasonably practicable:

• in the first instance by quietening the source of the noise. This could be achieved by for example,enclosing the noise source, by screening affected workers or by providing quiet work areas.Machine modifications or relocation of noisy machines to unmanned areas may also be apossibility. When replacing machinery, quieter models should be specified.

• it might also be possible to reduce the number of people working in a noisy area, or the length oftime which they spend there.

WHEN THE NOISE EXPOSURE LEVEL IS TOO HIGH

Hearing checks (Reg. 8)*Workers who are exposed to a noiselevel above 85 dBA (whether or nothearing protection is used) mayhave their hearing checked. Thepurpose of this hearing check is todetect any early hearing loss. The employer must make thenecessary arrangements for theworkers to have hearing checkscarried out by a competent medicalpractitioner. Competent means being able tocarry out the hearing check andaudiometry as indicated in theRegulations.The medical practitioner must:• keep a record of the hearing

checks for fifteen years.• allow each worker to see their

own hearing check records.• explain to each worker the

significance of the records.• inform both the employer and

worker of any preventativemeasures necessary

• make the records available forinspection by those Health andSafety Inspectors who aremedical practitioners.

*Detailed guidelines on hearingchecks and audiometry are availablefrom the HSA.

Exemptions from theRegulations (Reg. 9)In limited circumstances,exemptions from the Regulationsmay be granted by obtaining awritten certificate from the Ministerfor Enterprise, Trade andEmployment. These are detailed inReg. 9 of the Regulations.

Penalties for a breach ofthe Regulations (Reg.10)Any person, who contravenes anyof the Regulations, is guilty of anoffence, and on conviction is liableto a fine not exceeding €1,500.Both a company and an individualmay be prosecuted.If, after conviction, the offencecontinues, a further fine of up to€100 per day may be imposed.In addition, the court may require aconvicted person to remedy any ofthe matters which gave rise to theconviction.