Noise at Work
Research has estimated that over 2 million people are exposed to noise levels at work that may be harmful. Hearing damaged by exposure to noise in the workplace is permanent and incurable.
Hearing loss is usually gradual due to prolonged exposure to noise. It may only be when damage caused by noise over the years combines with normal hearing loss due to ageing that people realise how deaf they have become. Hearing damage can also be caused immediately by sudden, very loud noises. Exposure to noise can also cause tinnitus, which is a sensation of noises in the ears where affected people may experience ringing or buzzing and can occur in combination with hearing loss.
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (the Noise Regulations) are based on a European Union Directive 2003/10/EC dated 6 February 2003 requiring similar basic laws throughout the Union on protecting workers from the risks caused by noise.
They do not apply to members of the public exposed to noise from non-work activities, or making an informed choice to go to noisy places.
From April 2008 workers in the music and entertainment sectors will be covered by the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (Noise Regulations). For other industry sectors these Regulations have been in force since April 2006.
Music and entertainment sectors are defined in the Noise Regulations as all workplaces where a) live music is played or b) recorded music is played in a restaurant, bar, public house, discotheque or nightclub, or alongside live music or a live dramatic or dance performance.
