How Often Should A Noise Assessment Be Carried Out?

A noise risk assessment outlines how noise will affect the health and safety of your employees. Noise Risk Assessment covers all the industries that intend to perform work that involves excessive noise. Noise risk assessments also identify the necessary measures that will be taken to ensure noise levels match the requirements of the U.K. regulations. If your employees are exposed to high-level noise, employers need to provide hearing protection and zones if the noise level is more or equal to 85 decibels or above. If your workplace includes any noisy activities that harm the health of your workers due to the hazardous noise. In that case, your business needs to reduce the exposure to below the standards immediately by carrying out a noise risk assessment. How Often Should Noise Assessments and Noise Survey Be Carried Out? Noise Risk Assessment should be carried out on a regular basis. However, there is no clear communication about the same in U.K. law. We recommend that the noise risk assessment should be carried and reviewed at least every year. A business should carry out a noise risk assessment when they suspect that the noise risk assessment is no longer valid or there are significant changes in the work to where the assessment relates. In the event that employees are being exposed to noise levels greater than 87 decibels, it becomes necessary to provide hearing protection to prevent harm to the ears. Plus, a frequent hearing test is highly recommended for those who work with sound levels greater than 85 decibels. What is involved in The Noise Risk Assessment? A Noise Risk Assessment should – → Flag noise origin and consider if the noise is intrusive → Identifying and protecting the most vulnerable staff → Assessing who may be affected by heavy noise → Evaluating the extent of employee exposure to noise → Point out the essential compliance requirements and actions → Record any at-risk employees and suggesting health surveillance → One needs to make a record of findings and outline a plan of action with the details of noise-control measures, required protection equipment, and a complete timetable → It is highly recommended to hire competent noise assessors or use an external consultant to support you in the process When Do a Business Requires The Noise Risk Assessment? There are many reasons a business should go for a noise assessment, even when you have done it in the past. Here is the list of the reasons indicating the need for a noise assessment – → Installation of new machinery or equipment having high noise levels → Modification or alteration in any way → Changes in the shift timings – for example, 12 hours shift instead of 8 hours → Changes in the building – for example, construction works or moving building entirely → To check the improvement of installed noise controls → Significant deterioration in employee’s hearing levels → To update the ways of controlling noises For a noisy workplace, an employer needs to screen employees to examine their hearing. According to U.K. law, a business needs to check for noise-included loss (NIHL) like pressure or fullness in the ears, speech that feels muffled, or a ringing sound in the ear. Noise Assessment supports you in managing hazards and set the groundwork for an organisation. Moreover, it is important to ensure that noise regulation efforts are being effective. If that is not the case – the business needs to alter the assessment and any preceding rules. Continuous monitoring is highly recommended when it comes to health and safety policies. Following all the rules of Noise Regulations will ensure that your organisation is compliant with the U.K. rules and regulations. Protecting yourself and your employees from the health effects of heavy noise is the best way to make your business last longer with sustainability. What Tips One Should Keep In Mind For Noise Risk Assessment? → Identifying the locations you think have the highest risk noise levels and focus on those areas first. → An employee’s exposure to noise might differ during the day, so one needs to ensure changing noise levels throughout the day. → Prioritise those employees who are showing early signs of hearing loss while regulating their use of hearing protection with training sessions and helpful information. → You should be able to hear each other standing a meter away. If otherwise, measure sound levels and check them against exposure action values. → Assess the potential noise nuisance from the mobile plant and note down when and where it is used and the most vulnerable employees. Where Should You Take Your Measurement During The Noise Risk Assessment? Here is the brief of that instruction – → Whilst using a sound level meter, measurement should be made at the position of the operator’s head, without the operator’s presence. → In case if the operator needs to operate the equipment, measurements should be taken with Microsoft close to the operator’s ear to measure the realistic and accurate representation of a regular working day. → One should avoid taking measurements closer than 15cm to the operator’s head to prevent noise reflection that may affect the readings. → To get the maximum effectiveness of the assessment, it is advisable to capture a representative reading of a normal day. Why Orbis Environmental And Safety Is The Best Choice For You? Orbis Environmental and Safety provides occupational noise monitoring and many other health and safety services like DSEAR Assessment, Fire Risk Assessment, HAVS Assessment, Noise Risk Assessment, Ergonomics and manual handling, Workplace exposure monitoring, Legionella, Face Fit Testing, Approved contractors and Breathing Air Testing. We have delivered over 100+ test assessments for many of our clients with the best practice and are competent to deliver consistently high dependable, unbiased and accurate results. Moreover, you can be assured that our services meet the appropriate standards for all the assessments with an internationally recognized UKAS symbol. Fill in the contact form or email us at rldavies@orbisenvironmental.com, and our team will get in touch with you soon!

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