The Scottish Government

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HSE says remember the two metre rule for National Noise Awareness Day

01/07/1998

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE

Do you have to shout to be heard at work? If people less that two metres away find it difficult to hear you then your workplace may have a noise problem.

As part of National Noise Awareness Day, and to promote its 'Good Health is Good Business' campaign, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is drawing employers' attention to the need to reduce noise at work.

HSE estimates that 1.3 million workers are exposed to noise levels above 85 dB(A). Its recently published survey on self-reported work-related illness suggested that 170,000 people are suffering deafness, tinnitus and other ear conditions, caused or made worse by work.

HSE advises employers with a noise problem to:

· buy quieter machinery,

· adapt existing machinery and processes to reduce noise,

· maintain machinery regularly,

· separate the worker from the noise, and

· make sure ear protection is worn if it is provided.

Mike Shepherd, the Head of HSE's Physical Agents Policy Unit, said:

"Employers have to comply with the Noise at Work Regulations 1989. They must reduce the risk from noise and carry out a noise assessment if there is a problem. They then have to take action appropriate to the exposures that they find. The best way to reduce the exposure of workers to loud noise, and so protect their hearing, is to reduce the noise produced."

BACKGROUND

1. National Noise Awareness Day is held on July 1, 1998 and aims to promote awareness of noise and the misery it can cause. It is co-ordinated by the National Society for Clean Air and Environmental Protection; contact Mary Stevens, tel: 01273 326313 (email: info@nsca.org.uk).

2. The Noise at Work Regulations 1989 set out measures to reduce and control noise at work and so cut the risk of damage to employees' hearing. The Regulations have two main action levels related to personal daily noise exposure: 85dB(A) is the first action level and 90dB(A) is the second action level. Employers are required to take specific measures - these include reducing noise, carrying out noise assessments, providing information and training for employees and providing personal hearing protection.

3. HSE's ongoing 'Good Health is Good Business' campaign (GHGB) was launched in May 1995. It aims to raise awareness of occupational health risks and to improve employers' competence in managing them. Noise was one of the risks highlighted during the first phase of GHGB and it will be focused on throughout the rest of the campaign.

4. Copies of the following publications are available from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 6FS, tel; 01787 881165, or fax: 01787 313995. Priced publications are also available from good booksellers.

L108 HSE Books 1998 ISBN 0 7176 1511 1 Cost: £9.75

HS(G) 138 HSE Books ISBN 0 7176 0791 7 Cost: £10.95

IND(G) 263 Single copies are available free, packs of 15 cost £5 HSE Books ISBN 0 7176 1480 8

5. Members of the public can obtain further information from HSE's InfoLine, tel: 0541 545500, or write to: HSE Information Centre, Broad Lane, Sheffield, S3 7HQ. HSE information and press releases are on the internet at http://www.open.gov.uk/hse/press/press.htm

News Release: AG130/98
1 July 1998