Noise levels



The regulations include two noise exposure levels, one higher than the other, which require the employer to take different actions if they are likely to be breached. The loudness of a sound (the sound pressure level) is measured in units of decibels (dB).


The first action level, known as “lower exposure action value (EAV)”, is a daily or weekly personal noise exposure of 80 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) and an EAV for peak sound pressure (maximum noise) of 137 dB.



In addition, 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 should consider the following questions if any of the limits might be breached:



• Is the noise intrusive — such as 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?


If the answer to any of these is positive, they are likely to need to take action to reduce the noise.