dB (A)

Typical sound levels

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 was laid before Parliament at the end of June, and will take effect on 6 April 2006.  Exceptions on this date are the music and entertainment sector, which have a further two years to comply and on seagoing ships where there is a five year compliance allowance.

If you have current assessments that show noise levels close to the old action level, now is the time to consider using the next few months to put appropriate engineering or other control measures in place in order to comply from April.

0 - 5

Faintest audible sounds

15 - 20

TV and sound studio

20 - 25

Quiet Library

40 - 45

Quiet Office

45 - 50

Conversation

70 - 75

Loud Radio

75 - 80

Busy Street

85 - 90

Heavy lorry about 7m away

100 - 105

Traditional Weaving Shed / Pighouse at Feeding Time

110 - 115

Chainsaws

115 - 120

Riveting Boiler Shop / Punch Presses

135 - 140

Jet Aircraft taking off at 25m away

Provision

1989 UK Regulations

2005 UK Regulations

Reduce risk

To lowest level reasonably practicable

Eliminate at source or reduce to a minimum (apply principles of prevention)

Assess exposure where workers are.

likely to be exposed to first action level

exposed to risk, or likely to be

Assessment period

8 hours

8 hours or one week

Provide information and training to workers and reps

85 dB(A)

80 dB(A)

Workers' right to hearing checks / audiometric testing

85 dB(A) by or under the responsibility of a doctor

1) 85 dB(A) by or under the responsibility of a doctor.
2) 80 dB(A) where risk indicated

Health surveillance

-

ensure appropriate health surveillance where risk indicated

Make suitable and efficient hearing protection available

85 dB(A)

80 dB(A)

Ensure suitable and efficient hearing protection is worn

90 dB(A)

85 dB(A), protection selected to eliminate risk or reduce to a minimum

Exposure limit

-

87 dB(A) at the ear

Programme of control measures

90 dB(A)

85 dB(A)

Provide hearing protection zones

Where reasonably practicable 90 dB(A)

85 dB(A) where technically feasible and the risk of exposure justifies it

Workers and their representatives to receive information

85 dB(A) (information on assessments)
90 dB(A) (on programmes of measures)

Must comply with earlier Directive as a minimum