The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
28/03/06
Union Safety Representatives and employees are reminded that the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 come into force on 6 April. The 2005 Regulations will replace the existing Noise at Work Regulations 1989.
The Regulations put the emphasis on identifying measures to eliminate or reduce risks from exposure to noise at work rather than simply relying on hearing protection, although this may also be needed in the short term.
Workplaces, which fell within the scope of the 1989 Regulations, should already have measures in place and the main effect of the new regulations is likely to be a need to review their risk assessments and prioritise their noise-control measures. Employees whose use of hearing protection under the 1989 Regulations was advisory will now have to wear the protection supplied. Employees newly covered by the Regulations are at relatively lower risk, and the employer will need to put in place proportionate noise reduction measures and provide hearing protection on request.
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