Noise Topic Articles
Below is a list of articles that have been published on this topic.
Click on the title to view the whole article
Industrial Noise [Apr 2009]
Protecting irreversible damage to hearing
The environment we live in is a massive issue and one that’s having a growing impact on all our lives, and everyone’s being encouraged to play their part.
Noise and Vibration [Jan 2009]
Safeguarding the protection of workers
Risks arising from noise to workers exposed
Every day, millions of employees in Europe are exposed to noise at work. In case exposure to noise occurs over several years/decades at levels, for example a road builder is exposed to, this may cause hearing impairment, if protection is not provided or is not used.
Don’t Turn a Deaf Ear [Oct 2008]
New aspects for selection of hearing protectors
The requirements of the new European Noise Directive on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to noise [Directive 2003/10/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 February 2003] change the conditions of design and testing for some types of hearing protectors as well as the conditions for selection and use of all types of hearing protectors.
Stakeholders responsible for health and safety in companies need to know details on changes which have to be considered within the selection of hearing protectors and their consideration within the risk assessment.
Rocking the Leisure Business [Jul 2008]
A quiet look at the noisiest industry in town.
Patrons of loud concerts and bars are there out of choice and exposed to the noise only occasionally but these venues are places of employment for millions of people across Europe who work in the music and entertainment industry, and for whom the question of choice is less clear.
Hearing Protectors [Apr 2008]
Assessment of the real protective properties
The importance of the proper assessment of PPE characteristics
Noise Measurement [Jan 2008]
Advice when considering equipment
With the need for both workplace and environmental noise measurements becoming more widespread, it is essential that users have the appropriate tools to carry out these tasks.
Noise at Work [Oct 2007]
Have the new regulations made a noise?
The ‘Control of Noise at Work’ Regulations came into force in April 2006. Over one year on from the introduction of the regulations, here is a reminder of what they require and the changes they introduced. Plus, here are some tips on when and how to conduct noise measurements in the light of the laws and how to use noise measurement equipment correctly.
Hearing Protection [Jul 2007]
Standards and testing methods
European EN 352 standards define testing methods for hearing protectors which satisfy the basic requirements of European legislation based on the New Approach. The basic requirements for the design, manufacture and use of hearing protectors against the harmful effects of noise are in Directive 89/686/EEC on Personal Protective Equipment of 21 December 1989. Directive 2003/10/EEC of 6 February 2003 defines the minimum health and safety requirements for workers regarding noise exposure.
Reduce the Effect of Noise [Apr 2007]
A preventative approach to noise control
Recent research cited by the HSE estimates that over 2 million people are exposed to potentially harmful levels of noise during work. Nearly 200,000 people are believed to suffer from partial deafness, tinnitus or other hearing complaints due to excessive workplace noise exposure. Civil compensation for noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) rose dramatically after the Noise at Work Regulations 1989 were introduced in 1990. This legislation provided employees with statutory protection from noise in the workplace by setting clear noise exposure limits, which required employers to assess noise levels in the workplace against these limits, deciding whether they complied and then to provide suitable protection to employees where relevant.
Vibration and Noise [Oct 2006]
REcent regulations include a number of changes
With the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations in force since October 2005 and the Control of Noise at Work Regulations which came into force in April this year there are a number of changes in legislation that employers need to take on board.
Control of Noise at Work [Apr 2006]
Regulations, equipment and guidelines on use
Cutting Down Noise at Work [Apr 2005]
An in-depth look at the scale of the problem
Frequent exposure to loud noise can cause permanent, irreversible loss of hearing and tinnitus. Yet in most (if not all) cases this is entirely preventable.
Every day millions of workers all over Europe are exposed to dangerously high levels of noise. Statistics indicate that one in five European workers have to raise their voices to be heard for at least half of the time that they spend at work - suggesting that they are at real risk of noise-induced hearing loss - and that 7% suffer from work-related hearing difficulties.
Noise and Vibration [Jul 2003]
New Regulations for the Workplace
