HSE's key messages:

Employers have a legal duty to protect the hearing of their employees

Damage to hearing from exposure to loud noise at work is preventable. The risks can be controlled by good management

If people have to shout or have difficulty being heard clearly by someone about 2 metres away you may have a noise problem at work.

Employers have to reduce risk of damage to employees' hearing and take specific actions where the noise exposure of their employees is likely to be at or above any of three 'action levels'.

Action levels

Two of the action levels are values of 'daily personal noise exposure' expressed as LEP,d. These depend on the noise level in the working areas and how long people spend in them during the day.

Under the current Noise at Work Regulations, the first action level is an L EP,d of 85 dB(A) and the second action level is an L EP,d of 90 dB(A).

There is also a peak action level of 200 pascals for exposures to high level noise of short duration, such as cartridge operated tools. This identifies the risks of exposure to impulsive noise as opposed to continuous noise exposure.

Employers are required to take specific measures at these levels, including

• Carrying out noise assessments
• Reducing exposure
• Providing information and training for employees
• Issuing personal hearing protection

Guide to noise levels:

• Normal conversation 50-60 dB(A)
• A loud radio 65-75 dB(A)
• A busy street 78-85 dB(A)
• A heavy lorry about 7 metres away 95-100 dB(A)
• A pighouse at feeding time 110 dB(A)
• A chain saw 115-120 dB(A)
• A jet aircraft taking off 25 metres away 140 dB(A).