NOISE AND HAVS ASSESSMENT
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NOISE
This section provides guidance and procedures for work conducted where the generation of noise is created in
accordance with the Noise at Work Regulations.
Over one million people in the UK are exposed to noise levels which put their hearing at risk, both young and
old people are affected and once you lose your hearing you never get it back, it is therefore essential that the
procedures and guidance within this section are followed.
Key messages are:
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Persons following good practice for noise at work will normally be doing enough to adhere to comply
with the regulations; follow the risk assessments that have been carried out for noise at work
activities, ensure that work is properly planned organised and carried out by competent persons.
Follow the hierarchy of control for noise at work activities, ensuring that steps are taken to avoid,
prevent and reduce the risk involved in noise at work activities.
Select the correct piece of work equipment for the activity ensuring that collective protection of all
persons affected is considered (such as bolt croppers for cutting in lieu of a petrol saw) before other
means that may still affect those using the equipment and others in the area (such as silencers or
segregation of the noise from others). Personal protective equipment must be used as a last resort
and not as a first choice when noise at work activities is undertaken.
The regulations require the duty holders to ensure that:
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Noise at work is assessed and measures are taken to comply with the regulations
If necessary measurement of the noise to which employers are exposed is undertaken
Provide information, instruction and training to the employees and other persons who are affected at
the work place where the work is being carried out
Hearing protection is available to employees where the noise level is at or below the lower exposure
action value when requested
Hearing protection is provided to employees where the noise level is at or below the upper exposure
action level
Any hearing protection that is provided is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order
and good repair
Employees that are exposed to noise at work are placed under suitable health surveillance which
included testing of hearing
1.1 Who do the regulations apply to?
The regulations place duties on employers, the self employed and the employees such as principle contractors,
contractors, factory owners etc.
1.2 What is noise at work?
Noise at work is any audible sound that is created at a work location including inside, outside, an office,
construction site (any place of work)
Examples of what can be classified as noise at work could include:
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Drilling
Sawing
An excavator working
Cutting
Traffic movement
A generator running
Concrete breaking
A combination of these
Examples of where the regulations do not apply:
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Work activities where the noise levels are below the lower exposure action value
General office activities
1.3 Risk Assessment
As with many regulations the noise at work regulations are based on a risk assessment approach. When
considering creating a noise at work, a risk assessment must be undertaken in order to assess the levels of
noise to which workers are to be exposed. Risk assessment within the Noise at work regulations are focussed
around the elimination or control of exposure to noise at the workplace.
A risk assessment is a careful examination of what could cause harm to people as a result of a work activity, it
allows you to take the necessary precautions to prevent the harm from occurring.
In a risk assessment you need to:
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Look for the hazards
Decide who might be harmed and how
Evaluate the risk and decide whether the existing precautions are adequate or whether more should
be done
Record your findings
Review your assessment
Examples of what to consider could include:
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The work activity
The equipment to be used
The duration of the work
The location of the work ( is it near to others and are they going to be affected by the noise)
The surrounding environment ( are there any obstructions that may baffle the noise for you)
Can the work have to be done with work equipment that does not create as much noise
1.4 What are the levels of exposure for noise at work?
The lower exposure action values are:
1) a daily or weekly personal noise exposure of 80dB(A) and
2) a peak sound pressure of 135dB(C)
An employer who carries out work where an employee will be exposed to works at or above these levels shall
make personal protection available upon request to any employee.
The upper exposure action values are:
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1) a daily or weekly personal noise exposure of 85dB(A) and
2) a peak sound pressure of 137dB(C)
If the employer is unable to reduce the levels by other means to which the employee is to be exposed to below
the upper exposure action value he shall provide personal hearing protectors to an employee who is exposed.
The exposure limit values are –
1) a daily or weekly personal noise exposure of 87dB(A) and
2) a peak sound pressure of 140dB(C)
If any of the work place under the control of the employer is likely to be exposed to noise levels at or above
the upper exposure action value for any reason he shall:
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ensure that the area is designated a hearing protection zone
the area is demarcated by means of signs specified for ear protection to be worn
access to this area is restricted
Noise levels are measured in decibels and can be A or C rated.
General noise levels are measured in an A rated capacity (dB(A))
Peak sound pressures which are the maximum levels anyone can be exposed to are measured in a C rating
(dB(C)).
1.5 How can I avoid noise at work?
A risk assessment for the undertaking of creating noise at work must be carried out. The may require a change
in design or where the works are to be carried out; for example creating holes for posts in concrete could be
done by the installation of sleeves at the stage of pouring concrete and this would then avoid breaking out of
concrete and the noise being created.
The cutting of steel reinforcing mesh is another good example of avoiding creating noise at work, the use of
bolt croppers to cut mesh instead of petrol saw that no only creates noise but also exposes the operatives to
vibration and creates fumes into the atmosphere due to the fuels being used.
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What are collective and personal protection measures?
Collective protection control measures should always take priority over personal protective measures.
Collective protection will protect more than one person at a time. An example of this for noise control would
be silencers or segregation of the noise from others as well as baffles, the advantage of this is once in place it
requires very little or no action by others.
Personal protection (ear plugs or ear muffs) always relies on an individual to ensure that it is in place and the
only personal protective measure for noise control are individual hearing protection, it also only protects the
person wearing it.
1.7 Hierarchy of control (Reg 6)
Under regulation 6 of the noise at work regulations the employer shall ensure that the risk to which his
employees are exposed is either eliminated at source or where this is not practicable it is reduced to as low a
level as reasonably practicable.
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Duty holders shall include the consideration of:
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other working methods which reduce the noise levels
the choice of appropriate equipment with a lower noise level
the reduction of noise by technical means
limitation of the duration of noises exposed
information and training for those involved
maintenance of work equipment
can it be designed out
1.8 Ear protection
Ear protection that can be used will have a SNR (standard noise rating) value on either the box or the product,
it is important to note that you can over protect as well as under protect when using ear protection.
1.9 How can I check the noise levels at the work place?
Safer Sphere have access to a facility to measure noise for work
activities; this will enable to give all involved a very quick and
accurate measurement of the noise levels being omitted.
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Hand Arm Vibration
Hand Arm Vibration (HAV) is the mechanical vibration which is transmitted into the hands and arms during a
work activity.
This can occur whenever an operative is using a power tool that by it use creates vibration such as a drill,
breaker, vibrating pokers etc.
HAV can cause damage to blood vessels, nerves, muscles and joints in the hands and arms and can lead to
severe disablement if ignored and not monitored and treated.
The most commonly known form of the effects of HAV is Vibration White Finger (VWF) which can cause severe
pain in the hands in cold and wet weather and in many cases a loss of dexterity.
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The most common symptoms are:
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Tingling, numbness in the fingers and hand
Fingers go white in cold or wet conditions, the can then go blue or red and become extremely painful.
Loss of dexterity and feeling leading to the loss of ability to pick up small items.
Pain, tingling or numbness in the hands and arms leading to disrupted sleep.
Loss of strength in the hands and arms.
Painful joints in the hands and arms.
The continued use of vibration tools can lead to the symptoms becoming worse.
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Policy
It is the Policy of Bridgewater Contracts (Projects) Ltd that all employees who operate equipment that
generates vibrations likely to cause Hand Arm Vibration must comply with the recording system.
It is also the Policy to require all subcontractors carrying out work likely to involve hand arm vibration to have
a strategy to adopt a similar policy and recording procedure.
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Procedure
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All tasks carried out using power tools with a vibration level of below 2.5m/s2 need not be included in
this procedure unless they are used in the same day as other power tools with a vibration level above
2.5m/s2.
Before the task is carried out it will be established that there is not an alternative method of carrying
out the task without exposure or with a reduced exposure to Hand Arm Vibration.
The vibration level of the equipment to be used should be ascertained from the user manual, the
hirer or Manufacturer. If no information is available then the piece of equipment should not be used
and an alternative selected.
The vibration level should then be entered (in ms 2) into the relevant box of the electronic calculation
form, this will give the maximum exposure time for the equipment. Alternatively the maximum
exposure time can be calculated using the ready reckoner contained within the database and entered
onto the handwritten HAV permit form.
The permit is then signed and issued.
When the work with the tool is complete the trigger time (time the tool was actually activated) should
be recorded in the exposure time box and the electronic calculator for will automatically calculate the
operatives exposure. In the case of the handwritten form again refer to the ready reckoner to
calculate exposure.
In the event of a second tool being used on the same day the same process should be adopted using
the next line on the permit form. The electronic form will calculate the allowable time based on
previous exposure.
Whole Body Vibration
Whole Body Vibration (WBV) is the mechanical vibration transmitted, through the supporting surface, to the
body when sitting or standing on a piece of plant, equipment or vehicle.
This includes all ride on plant and vehicles as well as fixed plant on which the operative stands.
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The common symptom associated with WBV is pain in the lower back but this can be caused by many other
factors such as poor posture and poor manual handling techniques.
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Road Transport
Bridgewater Contracts (Projects) Ltd only operate cars and vans for road transport purposes and taking into
account current guidance by the HSE on vibration levels for such vehicles the daily exposure action level of 0.5
m/s2 will not be exceeded and therefore the daily limit value of 1.15m/s2 will not be reached.
As there is no evidence of a significant risk, no monitoring will be put in place in regard to the use of road
vehicles by the company.
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7 HAV’s Flow Chart
Assess Task
Can HAV be
avoided?
No
Yes
Use the Alternative
Method
Plan Task
Consider the task and the number of
operatives required to carry it out
Select Tool /
Equipment
Remember – The tool with the lowest
vibration level may not be the best and
most efficient for the task
Establish
Vibration Level
This may be obtained from the OPERC
Database or the manufacturer
Look up vibration level on left hand column of ready
reckoner read across that line to the nearest figure
below 100 or if this is the second exposure to 100
minus the previous exposure number, the time
shown directly below is the allowable trigger time.
Insert vibration
level in
relevant box
on the Permit
Is the time sufficient
to carry out the
Task?
No
Close and
Sign off
Yes
Print, sign and issue
form as permit to
work
When Task Complete enter the exposure figure read from the
ready reckoner by cross referencing the vibration level and
trigger time.
No
Another HAV Task
Required by same
operative in same
day
Yes
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