Noise levels


Under the regulations, the first action level, known as lower “exposure action value” (EAV) is:


• a daily or weekly personal noise exposure of 80 dB(A), compared to the previous level of 85 dB(A); and an EAV for peak sound pressure of 135 dB;


The second, upper EAV is:


• a daily or weekly personal noise exposure of 85 dB(A), compared to the previous level of 90 dB(A); and an EAV for peak sound pressure of 137 dB.


The regulations also specify an “exposure limit value” (ELV) that must not be exceeded, of 87 dB(A) daily or weekly exposure and peak sound pressure of 140 dB.


The HSE advises employers that they will probably need to do something about the noise if any of the following apply:


• Is the noise intrusive – like a busy street, a vacuum cleaner or a crowded restaurant – for most of the working day?


• Do your employees have to raise their voices to carry out a normal conversation when about two metres apart for at least part of the day?


• Do your employees use noisy powered tools or machinery for more than half an hour each day?


• Do you work in a noisy industry, such as construction, demolition or road repair; woodworking; plastics processing; engineering; textile manufacture; general fabrication; forging, pressing or stamping; paper or board making; canning or bottling; foundries?


• Are there noises due to impacts (such as hammering, drop forging and pneumatic impact tools), explosive sources such as cartridge operated tools or detonators, or guns?