Measuring up to noise01 August 2006

Noise-induced hearing loss can occur to people at low levels of noise. An HSE survey in the 1990s indicated that in excess of two million workers were exposed to noise levels between 80db and more than 142db, averaged over the working day or week. The Noise at Work Regulations in force at the time were introduced in 1989, but it was always viewed that these would move on as industry continued to improve the workplace. In April 2006, the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 came into force, implementing EU Directive Physical Agents (Noise) Directive (2003/10/EC).

People are exposed to many risks in the workplace, and action is required by business to mitigate the risks of exposure to noise by their employees and others in the workplace. The new regulations have an immediate impact on engineers, H&S managers and plant managers alike, covering every industry and commercial activity, but perhaps more in light industry, in offices and even in retail premises. In fact, under the new scheme, in the words of Brian Friar, principal risk consultant at Zurich Risk Services: "It's the less industrial-type environments that are going to be captured under the new legislation."

Examples, such as the traditional plant room, may well comply with the previous standard, but controls now need to be more stringent and include:
? Carrying out detailed risk assessments
? Evaluating how often people enter such areas
? Deciding whether or not to introduce more control on the equipment
? Ensuring that people are suitably protected when they enter the room.

The spirit of the regulations themselves is aimed at reducing the noise at source and limiting the potential for exposure. "It is a case of sensible risk management, balancing the risks against costs within the constraints of the health and safety at work act that requires steps that are 'reasonable and practicable' to be taken," says Friar.

In order to meet the demands of the regulations, engineers and plant managers need to have a clearly defined plan. The starting point is knowing exactly what needs to be done, and ensuring the right policies and procedures are in place to achieve this.

Action values
There are actions required by all organisations when noise levels reach or exceed specific levels, for both average and maximum values. The table on p17 outlines the action values for average exposure to noise over a working day or week, and the maximum noise (peak sound pressure) exposure permitted.

For plant managers, greater attention needs to be paid to maintenance and repairs on machines - worn or loose components can vibrate and generate greater noise. As well as reducing noise levels, this would clearly improve the efficient operation of machinery. In factory air lines, leakage from badly fitting connectors can generate significant noise, which can be reduced by repairing leaks, replacing connectors and using smooth flow nozzles. Plant engineers and managers should be considering these as a first step, and it's worth bearing in mind that, if noise assessments are not current or in place, the HSE could step in and close down the plant - clearly not good for business! When looking at noise level control there are a number of key steps to take:
? Reduce the risk (noise at source) itself, such as replace motors or pumps;
? reorganise the workplace to enclose the noise source;
? and restrict access
? Contain and control the noise by having all the noisy kit in one place and providing acoustic controls
? Limit time and activity around the noise source,
but it is important to beware of overlooking this rule in the haste to fulfil a large or urgent order.

Calling in the experts
So, is it better to call in the experts or do it yourself? The answer is much more to do with the complexity of the situation and noise levels encountered, and most risks from noise occur somewhere in between the extremes of the noisiest to the quietest workplaces.

It is here that help is really needed in deciding whether to involve specialists or take the DIY approach. Training is the best place to start, before coming to a decision on the type of meter to use and how to use it - or whether you should be using it at all, but rather allowing the specialists to undertake these complex tasks, in terms of both risk assessment and noise measurement.

Whilst it is possible to obtain some fairly basic equipment to measure noise levels yourself, the law requires that a person is deemed to be competent to undertake the survey. Crucially, this must be able to stand up to scrutiny - even in court.

For organisations with a very minimal requirement for risk assessment and control measures, and where there is less of a problem, it's probably best to call in the experts. However, for large enterprises that need and want to carry out ongoing noise control, assessments and health surveillance, it really does become a worthwhile exercise to do it yourself.

As Simon Bull, director of Castle Group, a supplier of noise and vibration solutions, so graphically puts it: "If you're not being serious about stopping people going deaf, you can expect serious action from the HSE and big claims!"

As previously mentioned, the tools that determine noise exposure levels use different measurements, representing the average and peak noise energy levels.

Two basic instruments are used to measure these values - the personal sound exposure meter (PSEM), or 'dose meter', or a sound level meter, which measures the noise generated in particular areas.

For makers of monitoring and recording systems and solutions, the new regulations have been positive and the equipment is largely unaffected by the changes, with the most recent modifications to noise monitoring instruments themselves dating from 2002.

Whether you take the DIY approach, or call in the specialists, equipment is available to buy or hire at very low prices, so there is really no excuse for anyone not to take measurements.

Ultimately, the choice of monitoring and measuring noise levels yourself, or instead calling in the experts, depends very much on the complexity, size of the business, and perhaps the available budget.

As Simon Bull explains: "With the right equipment and training, doing risk assessments for noise levels can be carried out relatively easily on a DIY basis. But when it comes to noise control, that's the time to call in the experts."

SOE

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