Noise at Work

Awareness of Noise and

Hearing Protection in the
University of Sheffield
Scope of the Problem
In the UK there are
over 170,000 people
with significant
work-related hearing
damage
14,200 are serious
enough affected to
receive disablement
benefit
Noise is an ancient
problem!
Roman poets
complained about
the racket of iron
cart-wheels on
the cobbles
What is noise?
Unpleasant or unwanted
sound
When unwanted noise
gets loud enough
It is unpleasant
It is distracting
It is tiring & stressful
Higher levels cause
permanent hearing
damage
Likelihood of Damage

Depends mainly on:

Volume (loudness)

Frequency (pitch)

Exposure time

Can be work
exposure, social
exposure or both
Damage can include:
Temporary hearing
loss
hearing returns
after a short period
away from noise
Permanent hearing
loss
Permanent damage
or destruction of
hair cells in the
ears.
Hearing cannot be
restored
Signs of developing hearing
loss
Inability to hear soft
or high pitched
sounds
Trouble
understanding
conversation at a
distance or in a
crowd
Ringing in the ears
Others can hear
something you cant
There is no cure for hearing
damage!

Normal hearing
can never be
restored
Hearing aids do
not restore noise-
damaged hearing
At best, they help
the person a little
 Frequency of Sound

Infra- Normal
Ultra-
Sound Sound Sound
Noise Levels

Ear is most
sensitive to normal
frequency sound
The dBA scale
takes this into
account when
measuring noise
levels
Measurement of Noise
Loudness is measured in
decibels
170 dB Jet airliner
120 dB Riveting hammer
110 dB Shouting loudly
70 dB Street sounds
38 dB Quiet bedroom
This is a logarithmic scale an increase
of 1dB means about 30% more noise
What Law applies?

The Control of
Noise at Work
Regulations 2005
(Commencement date
April 2006 except for
music industry)

The Health &

Safety at Work etc
Act 1974
Risk Assessment
Observe procedures
Refer to standard
data
If necessary,
measure noise
levels
Compare with
action levels
Identify control
measures
Action and Limit Values
Lower action value (LAV)
80dBA 8hrs Peak 135dBA
Upper action value (UAV)
85dBA 8hrs Peak 137dBA
Exposure limit value (ELV)
87dBA 8hrs Peak 140dBA
Can take account of hearing protection
If your average daily
exposure is over 80dB(A)
The employer
must:
Inform you of the
risks to your
hearing from noise
and how you can
reduce those risks
Make hearing
protective
equipment
available
If your average daily
exposure is over 85dB(A)
Your employer must:
Try to reduce noise at
source
Provide hearing protection
& insist on its use
Identify & sign ear
protection zones
Conduct noise assessments
& keep records of them
Provide hearing checks if
requested
If your average daily
exposure is over 87dB(A)
This is a
maximum & must
not be exceeded
Noise to the ear
must be reduced
Preferably at
source
Otherwise by
hearing
protection
Control of Noise

Preferably eliminate or
reduce it at source eg
Maintenance &
lubrication
Anti-vibration mounting
Sound absorbing
materials
Enclosure
Reducing exposure time
Hearing protection
Ear Plugs
Must be kept clean

(many are single use)

Must be put in properly

(there is a special
technique)
Generally comfortable

to wear especially in
hot weather
Hearing protection
Canal Caps
Like in-ear ear plugs on a headband

Pleasant to wear

Often do not completely seal in the

ear
Generally not a good idea for >85dB

for prolonged periods

Hearing protection
Ear Muffs
Must fit snugly one size fits
most people
Generally very effective if
worn properly beware of
glasses
Tend to be uncomfortable in
hot weather
Special types available eg.
for wearing safety helmets,
for workers near high
voltage
Can be shared but cleaning
routine required
Hearing protection
The effectiveness of hearing
protection varies according
to type, manufacture and
correct wearing.
Most will reduce noise at the
ear by about 15 - 20dBA
Dont over-protect or
warnings may not be
audible
Hearing protection
Ensure it is suitable
for the job
Regular maintenance
& record keeping
required
Home-made protectors
dont work (eg cotton
wool)
Wear it when you are
supposed to you
MUST BY LAW
Hearing protection

Try to limit your

time in noisy
areas
Remember the
effect is
cumulative
Hearing protection

Protect your
hearing in a
social context too
eg:
Loud music
Personal stereos
Car entertainment
DIY & garden
tools
Dont take noise for
granted!
Hearing
damage creeps
up on you
Once it has
happened,
there is no
cure
Further Advice?
Contact Safety Services
The Health & Safety Executive
have a useful leaflet which can be
found:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg3
62.pdf