Noise in the Workplace - Approved Code of Practice for the Management of
This document has been superseded by the Approved Code of Practice for the Management of Noise in the Workplace (second edition, 2002). Please refer to the second edition for current advice.
The purpose of this code is to provide practical guidance in meeting the requirements of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 and the Health and Safety in Employment Regulations 1995. This process involves the identification and the management of noise hazards in the workplace. A consequence of proper control and management of the problem of excessive noise will be a reduction in the incidence of hearing loss arising from noise exposure in workplaces.
NOTE: Since this 1996 code was published, there have been significant changes in the standards that underpinned it, and a new approved code was published in 2002.
Table of Contents
NOTICE OF ISSUE
FOREWORD
Summary of the Health and Safety in Employment Act and Regulations
Regulations
PART 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose
1.2 Scope of this code
1.3 Philosophy
1.4 Health effects of noise
PART 2: Noise Hazard Identification
2.1 Noise Hazard Identification Checklist
PART 3: Noise Hazard Assessment
3.1 Noise Assessment
3.2 Frequency of Assessments
3.3 Consultation
PART 4: Control of Noise Hazards
4.1 Hierarchy of Control
4.2 Preparation of a Written Plan
4.3 Planning Priorities for Control
4.4 Assistance of a Competent Person
4.5 Principles of Noise Control
4.6 Engineering Controls
4.7 Administrative Control Measures
PART 5: Protection Against Noise Hazards
5.1 Hearing Protectors
5.2 Manufacturers and Suppliers of Hearing Protectors
5.3 Marking of Noise Areas and Machinery
PART 6: Training and Education
6.1 Groups Requiring Training
6.2 Topics to be Covered
6.3 Training Supervisors
6.4 Training on Hearing Protection Maintenance
6.5 Training Persons Responsible for Purchasing Hearing Protectors
6.6 Training Workers of Non-English-Speaking Backgrounds
PART 7: Audiometry
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Provision of Audiometry
7.3 Frequency of Testing
7.4 Qualifications of Audiometric Tester
7.5 Results to be Provided to Employee
7.6 Requests for information by a Health and Safety Inspector
7.7 Notification of Noise-induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)
PART 8: DESIGNERS, MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS OF PLANT
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Designers
8.3 Manufacturers and Suppliers
8.4 Employers
PART 9: DESIGNERS, MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS OF HEARING PROTECTORS
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Designers
9.3 Manufacturers and Suppliers
APPENDIX 1: COMPETENT PERSON
1.1Noise Measurements and Assessments
1.2 Audiometric Testing
APPENDIX 2: NOISE ASSESSMENTS
2.1 Assessment by a Competent Person
2.2 Assessment of Noise Levels and Exposure
2.3 Types of Assessment
2.4 Instrumentation
2.5 Calibration
2.6 Noise Measurement Procedures
2.7 Noise Assessment Procedures
APPENDIX 3: NOISE CONTROL
3.1 Engineering Noise Control at Source
3.2 Engineering Treatment of the Noise Transmission Path
APPENDIX 4: OBLIGATIONS OF DESIGNERS, MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS OF PLANT
4.1 Designers
4.2 Manufacturers and Suppliers
4.3 Manufacturers
4.4 Suppliers
4.5 Use of information made available by Manufacturers and Suppliers
APPENDIX 5: TEST PROCEDURES FOR THE EVALUATION OF EQUIPMENT NOISE EMISSION
APPENDIX 6: AUDIOMETRIC TESTING
APPENDIX 7: GUIDELINES FOR EXPOSURE TO ULTRASOUND AND INFRASOUND
7.1 Ultrasound
7.2 Infrasound
APPENDIX 8: SELECTION OF HEARING
PROTECTORS
8.1 Determination of Appropriate Protection
8.2 Inspection and Maintenance
8.3 Reduction in Effectiveness of Hearing Protectors
APPENDIX 9: DEFINITIONS
APPENDIX 10: Example of Noise Assessment
Form
Bibliography
