I’m Sorry – What Did You Say? Exposure to loud workplace noise can harm your hearing over time. It’s often a gradual process, and individuals may only notice the extent of their hearing loss when it combines with age-related decline. The Noise at Work Regulations specify noise action values/limits where action must be taken.
This guide to workplace noise exposure aims to assist you as an employer in safeguarding your staff from excessive noise in the workplace, especially if your operations involve:
Noise is caused by rapid fluctuations in air pressure (or other gaseous media) which affect the human body.
These pressure fluctuations are often caused by the vibration of plant, equipment, and cones in loudspeakers or musical instruments. Pressure fluctuations, which are detected by the human ear, are classified as “sound”. The term “noise” is often used to describe unwanted sound.
Exposure to high noise levels, either continuously or as a loud sudden acoustic shock can have several physiological and psychological effects on employees including stress, tinnitus and if exposed to loud noises at work over long periods, even permanent hearing loss.
If your employees use hand-held tools, these may cause vibration in their hands and arms. Learn how to prevent vibration-related harm here: Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome: Why Employers Need to Prioritise This In 2024
The human ear is incredibly sensitive to varying sound pressure levels.
We can hear the faintest sounds at the lower threshold of hearing, – the slightest rustling, and air movement.
At the upper range of hearing (the volume at which noise becomes physically painful and damages the ear irreparably), there is (10 billion) times as much sound energy impacting the ear.
Because of this enormous range, noise is calculated and measured using logarithmic units, known as “decibels”, where an increase of 3dB represents a doubling of the sound pressure level (acoustic energy).
Ears convert sound waves into electrical impulses. Ears have delicate inner workings that once damaged cannot be repaired.
Noise becomes hazardous when it occurs at high levels or continues for a long time.
When levels of noise exposure in the workplace become harmful to health several serious health issues can arise, therefore early detection and prevention are key.
TIP: If you sense that you have reached workplace noise levels where a conversation between 2 people at a range of approximately 2 meters is barely audible – then you are probably experiencing noise levels that could be deemed detrimental to health.
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 require employers to take action to prevent or reduce risks to health and safety from noise at work.
The Regulations require employers to:
The noise at work legislation stipulates specific actions to be taken at defined action values, which include:
The values are as follows:
Limit values: Additionally, there are noise exposure levels that must not be surpassed, known as exposure limit values:
When Do You Need to Provide Hearing Protection?
Hearing protection must be provided if employees ask for it and their workplace noise exposure is between the lower (80 dB) and upper exposure action values (85 dB).
Employers must provide hearing protectors and make sure employees use them properly when their noise exposure in the workplace exceeds the upper exposure action values (85 dB)
It is important to remember that a workplace noise risk assessment must be completed before conducting any work activities liable to expose persons to noise at a level that might harm health.
Where the risk assessment determines that noise levels are significant and the effects of exposure are likely to have adverse effects on health, action must be taken to reduce workplace noise exposure.
The risk assessment must identify ways of controlling noise exposure, including how much reduction can be achieved and how the continuing effectiveness of those control measures can be verified and documented records maintained.
It is always preferable to prioritise engineering control to reduce workplace noise levels where possible to decrease exposure and minimise noise generation through process redesign, modifying transmission routes, enclosing a particular piece of machinery or redesigning the layout of the workplace.
As you evaluate different noise control measures in the workplace, consider the following questions/options:
Working patterns: Employee working patterns should be considered to address workplace noise problems, reducing the number of employees working in hazardous areas or the length of time they spend in those areas, including separate noisy and peaceful areas or using noise refuges. Administrative controls should ensure that only persons who need to be in a hearing protection zone enter and do not stay longer than is necessary.
If it is impossible to reduce noise levels sufficiently by using quieter work equipment or introducing engineering or administrative controls, then suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) must be used for controlling noise at work.
Where employees are likely to be exposed at or above the upper action values compulsory hearing protection zones must be identified in the workplace. Access to these zones must be restricted where possible, and warning signs should be positioned to indicate that ear protectors must be worn while in the designated area at all times.
Provide employees with training and information on the use and maintain hearing protectors. Employees must understand the risks they may be exposed to. Where employees are exposed to loud noises at work above the lower exposure action values, inform them of the likely noise exposure and the risk of hearing this creates.
Health surveillance must be considered where employees are likely to be exposed at or above threshold limits and where the risk assessment identifies that the frequency and severity of exposure may pose a health risk. When health surveillance is required, hearing testing programmes must start with a baseline test before noise exposure. This must be supplemented by a regular series of checks at defined intervals. Checks may need to be undertaken more frequently if any problem with hearing is detected or where the risk of hearing damage is high.
Health surveillance provides an early warning when employees might be suffering from onset signs of hearing damage from noise and vibration in the workplace, allowing for early intervention to prevent further damage and check that control measures are working.
HR, Health & Safety departments and those overseeing employee welfare should have a strong grasp of these noise-at-work regulations.
Identify if you have a noise problem! If you’re unsure whether you have all the necessary noise control measures in place, perhaps now would be a good time to seek out more information to see what support is available. Get in touch with our expert H&S team today by visiting Avensure Contact!
Noise in the workplace relates to unwanted or disruptive sounds that interfere with standard operations and communication within a professional setting, be that an office, a factory, or any working environment. Excessive noise in the workplace could include the sounds made by machinery or background noises which create distractions, impact productivity, and could detrimentally affect employee health.
As an employer in the United Kingdom, you are responsible for assessing and controlling noise at work, reducing employee exposure to safe levels, providing appropriate hearing protection, maintaining equipment to minimise excessive noise, conducting health surveillance, and informing and training employees regarding noise hazards and precautions under the Noise at Work Regulations.
A workplace noise risk assessment comprises measuring noise levels, identifying sources of immoderate noise, evaluating employee exposure, and establishing employee hearing and health risks. The risk assessment includes implementing effective control measures to minimise noise, providing appropriate and effective hearing protection, and ensuring compliance with noise at work legislation.
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