Page
40
of
41
Compliance with the Control of Noise at Work Regulations
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (the Noise Regulations
[1]
) came into force for all
industry sectors in Great Britain on 6 April 2006.
The aim of the Noise Regulations is to ensure that workers’ hearing is protected from excessive
noise at their place of work, which could cause them to lose their hearing and /or to suffer from
tinnitus (permanent ringing in the ears).
The level at which employers much provide hearing protection and hearing protection zones is
now 85 decibels (daily or weekly average exposure) and the level at which employers must
assess the risk to workers’ health and provide them with information and training is now 80
decibels. There is also an exposure limit value of 87 decibels, taking account of any reduction
in exposure provided by hearing protection, above which workers must not be exposed.
To help you calculate your workers’ exposure, Ultrawave publish the noise generated by your
ultrasonic cleaner on the Certificate of Test. The figure is that experienced by a worker standing
in the operating position.
The full test of the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
[2]
Guidance on the 2005 Regulations can be found in HSE book ‘Controlling Noise at Work’
[3].
[1]
http://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/regulations.htm
[2]
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1643/contents/made
[3]
https://books.hse.gov.uk/bookstore.asp?FO=1356943&ACTION=BOOK&PRODUCTID=9780717665679
