The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 ensure that workers’ hearing is protected from excessive noise in the workplace. The Regulations set out a number of aspects in relation to noise at work, including details and requirements for:
Being exposed to noise at work can cause irreversible hearing damage. Sometimes the hearing loss can be temporary, for example hearing recovers a few hours after leaving a noisy environment. However, no hearing loss, no matter how long it lasts, should be ignored. It is generally a sign that if you continue to be exposed to the noise, your hearing could be permanently damaged. Persistent exposure to equipment in the workplace such as nail or rivet guns, hammering tools, power tools and sirens can have permanent hearing loss effects.
Because the effects of working in a noisy environment build up gradually over time, hearing loss can sometimes be difficult to detect. Permanent hearing damage can be caused immediately by sudden, extremely loud, explosive noises, for example from guns or cartridge-operated machines. Examples of industries that are known to be particularly noisy and therefore workers are at increased risk of hearing loss if not managed, include construction, demolition or road repair, woodworking, plastics processing, engineering, general fabrication, forging, pressing or stamping, paper or board making and foundries.
Industrial hearing loss accounts for 75% of all occupational disease civil claims across all industries. Noise at work can also cause tinnitus. This is a ringing, hissing or booming sensation in your ears and excessive exposure to noise increases the risk of tinnitus. It is a distressing condition and can be the first sign that your hearing has been damaged by noise.
