Noise policy flow chart

1. About this policy

1.1 The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (the Noise Regulations) came into force for all industry sectors in Great Britain on 6 April 2006 (except for the music and entertainment sectors where they came into force on 6 April 2008).

1.2 The aim of the Noise Regulations is to ensure that workers’ hearing is protected from excessive noise at their place of work, which could cause them to lose their hearing and/or to suffer from tinnitus (permanent ringing in the ears).

1.3 The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 replace the Noise at Work Regulations 1989.

1.4 The level at which employers must provide hearing protection and hearing protection zones is 85 dB(A) (daily or weekly average exposure) and the level at which employers must assess the risk to workers’ health and provide them with information and training is 80 dB(A). There is also an exposure limit value of 87 dB(A), taking account of any reduction in exposure provided by hearing protection, above which workers must not be exposed.

2. Employer’s responsibilities – legal duties

2.1 The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (Noise Regulations 2005) require employers to prevent or reduce risks to health and safety from exposure to noise at work. Employees have duties under the Regulations too. The Regulations require that the company:

(a) Assess the risks to its employees from noise at work;

(b) Take action to reduce the noise exposure that produces those risks;

(c) Provide its employees with hearing protection if it cannot reduce the noise exposure enough by using other methods;

(d) Make sure the legal limits on noise exposure are not exceeded;

(e) Provide its employees with information, instruction and training;

(f) Carry out health surveillance where there is a risk to health.

The Regulations do not apply to:

(a) members of the public exposed to noise from their non-work activities, or who are making an informed choice to go to noisy places;

(b) low-level noise that is a nuisance but causes no risk of hearing damage.

3. Managing noise risks

3.1 Assess the risks:

(a) Identify noise hazards

(b) Identify workers at particular risk from exposure to noise

(c) Estimate the likely exposure to noise

(d) Identify measures required to eliminate or reduce risks

(e) Make a record of action taken and planned

3.2 Eliminate or control noise risks:

(a) Eliminate or reduce risks using good practice and known control and management solutions

(b) Obtain quieter tools and machinery

(c) For the higher-risk areas, plan and put in place technical and organisational control measures

(d) Make sure the legal limits on noise exposure are not exceeded

3.3 Hearing protection:

(a) Where there remains a risk, issue your employees with hearing protection

(b) Make use mandatory for the high-risk cases and manage use with hearing protection zones

(c) Remember – hearing protection is not an alternative to noise control

(d) Employees: use hearing protection where its use is mandatory

3.4 Maintain and use noise-control equipment:

(a) Maintain any noise-control equipment and hearing protection

(b) Ensure that anything supplied is fully and properly used

(c) Employees: use the controls provided and report any defects

3.5 Health surveillance:

(a) Provide health surveillance (including hearing checks) for those at risk

(b) Use the results to review controls and further protect individuals

(c) Employees: co-operate and attend hearing checks

3.6           Worker information and training:

(a)        Give employees information, instruction and training on:

(i)    the risks and safe working practices

(ii)   control measures, hearing protection and health surveillance

(b) Encourage workers to take part in consultations and assessments

3.7 Review

(a) Monitor the workplace for changes that affect noise exposures

(b) Monitor grouped health surveillance results to identify where controls are failing

(c) Look out for new ways to reduce risks

Paul Bentham
Managing Director
Issue date: 1st January 2025