Sounding off about noise in the workplace

What will the revised Noise Regulations mean to you and your workplace?

A two-day conference at Earls Court was today opened by Lord Hunt, minister for health and safety, bringing together key professionals from the music, manufacturing and construction industries.



ëSound Off ñ Noise Reduction at Workí will offer advice to employers on how to control noise in the workplace ahead of the revised UK regulations that come into effect early next year. The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 lower acceptable noise levels in the workplace by 5 decibels, to 85 decibels, the equivalent of a petrol lawnmower. Employers will be required to limit staff exposure to noise above this level as well as providing adequate protection from hearing damage.

One of the challenges set by the new rules is that many sectors previously not covered, such as the leisure industry, now have to tackle noise exposure.

Lord Hunt announced the piloting of a draft guidance for the music industry: Let me make it clear that we are not killjoys. We donít want to stop people enjoying themselves, but we do want to protect workersí health. Thatís why we are working with the music industry to find practical solutions.

A draft guidance will be piloted early next year in a symphony orchestra, large pop event, a pub and a club. This represents a good cross section of society affected and will allow the guidance to be tested before wider consultation.î

Lawrence Waterman, President of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) said: ìOver two million workers in the UK are exposed to levels of noise which are likely to damage their hearing ñ damage their hearing permanently and in a way which socially disables them. Thatís why through new regulations and guidance, employers are being encouraged to tackle noise issues in a much more effective way.î

Mike Shepherd, Head of the HSEís Noise and Vibration Programme Unit, added: ìRecent research estimates that 170,000 people in the UK suffer deafness, tinnitus or other ear conditions as a result of exposure to excessive noise at work. The revised regulations are an important step towards reducing this figure.î

Sound Off has been organised by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), and CMP Information, in partnership with the RNID, the charity for deaf and hard of hearing people. It is part of the 2005 Euro Week campaign run by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work.

The conference features special sessions for the music and entertainment industry, as well as for local government, construction and manufacturing. Speakers include Lord Hunt, minister responsible for health and safety, Lawrence Waterman, President of IOSH and Evelyn Glennie OBE, renowned percussionist and BAFTA nominee.

The winners of the IOSH Noisy Box competition, which challenged children to ëbox upí their favourite noises, will be announced tomorrow at the conference. Thousands of entries were received and 12 have been selected for awards at a presentation.

For more details about Sound Off, visit www.sound-off.co.uk or contact Claire Price at Chelgate on 020 7939 7923 / Jonathan Mason on 020 7717 6902.

Various images and an audio press release voiced by Lawrence Waterman can be downloaded at www.pressrooms.net/soundoff.