Health and Safety Update (April 2009)

Pub and Club Noise

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has found that as many as fifty per cent of pub and club owners are failing to protect their staff from excessive noise at work.

The findings also show that almost 90 per cent of responding venue owners have not taken steps to reduce noise exposure since the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 became applicable to the entertainment sector last year.

Exposure to loud music can cause temporary or even permanent hearing loss. The purpose of the Control of Noise at Work Regulations is to protect employees working in noisy premises. The regulations don't just cover factories- they now also cover pubs and nightclubs where continuous exposure to loud music can damage the hearing of employees. It appears that employees in the premises surveyed are not being protected and may be at risk of suffering damage to their hearing.

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 came into force in the music and entertainment sector from April 2008, reducing exposure limits. Under the regulation employers must:

• Assess the risks to employees from noise at work;
• Take action to reduce the noise exposure that produces those risks;
• Provide employees with hearing protection if the noise exposure cannot be lowered using other methods;
• Provide employees with information / guidance;
• Carry out surveillance where there is a risk to health.

The study showed that employees have little understanding of their right to be protected and the majority of employers have little understanding of their responsibilities and are failing to comply with the law.

RBS Mentor Services can conduct noise assessments and carry out occupational health checks/surveillance in the form of an audiometer in your workplace whatever the activity. Contact our 24/7 advice line or contact your Consultant for more information.