About Workplace Noise Assessments
Noise can be defined as unwanted or unpleasant sound. It can get in the way of the sounds we would rather hear.
We are all exposed to noise every day - at home, at work, and in traffic. If the noise gets high enough it can lead to problems such as loss of hearing or tinnitus.
Research estimates that 170,000 people in the UK suffer from deafness, tinnitus, or other ear conditions because of exposure to noise at work. Estimates indicate that around 2.25 million people are at risk of hearing damage through workplace noise.
Changes in the Workplace Noise Regulations that came into force in April 2006 required companies to:
- carry out noise risk assessments
- reduce exposure to employees
- provide information and training for employees
- issue personal hearing protection (but not rely on this alone)
- arrange for annual health surveillance for those at risk Hearing loss caused by work is preventable but once your hearing has gone it won't come back. Hearing loss caused by exposure to noise at work continues to be a significant occupational disease.
There are many practical, cost-effective ways of protecting yourself and your workers. To determine what these are you will need to carry out a noise survey and noise risk assessments.
Factors that contribute to hearing damage are noise levels and how long people are exposed to the noise, daily or over a number of years.
Results you should expect
If your workplace has operations or areas of the site that are noisy, you need to have the confidence that your staff are not being subjected to potentially harmful levels of noise. Where you have implemented controls you will also need to know that they will effectively protect everyone who is regularly exposed to high levels of noise.
Working with MESH you can be fully assured that the Workplace Noise assessments produced will identify the necessary protective controls to prevent harm to staff and others while ensuring full compliance with the Noise at Work regulations.
MESH Consultants have used our extensive experience in Noise risk assessments to ensure peace of mind for clients in a wide range of industries throughout the UK.
Featured Case Study
Client: Graphic Packaging
Sector: Manufacturing
We are really pleased with the professional service MESH has provided us with over the time we have worked with them.
L Rayment
Safety, Hygiene & Environmental Advisor
MESH has been employed by Graphic Packaging Limited of Bristol to carryout a noise survey and series of noise assessments to cover their operations since 2007. The company uses a range of large print and punch presses, glue lines and sheet cutters and required MESH to provide a detailed report to identify where improvements were required.
Following on from the original report the company has implemented a policy to review the noise assessments on a 12 monthly basis and has asked MESH to carry this out for them through 2008 and 2009.
Your Options
MESH can offer a range of Noise risk assessment options to organisations throughout the UK:
1. We undertake a full Noise survey and Noise risk assessments of your operations at a single or multiple sites throughout the UK.
2. We undertake Noise assessments for specific operations within your organisation.
3. We undertake a full Noise survey, Noise risk assessments and create a Noise map around your at risk work operations to identify what controls are needed.
What we provide is legislative Noise at Work compliance, which, when adhered to, will keep the regulators from your door.
Costs
Costs of Noise surveys, Noise mapping and Noise risk assessments vary depending on the type and size of organisations, the number of processes and the variations in tasks that need to be monitored.
As a guideline, fees for work recently undertaken have ranged from as little as £450 to £1,975 to develop the required level of compliance for individual organisations needs.
We believe our pricing is very competitive but we don't compromise on quality and you can be assured that our assessments will prove to be a benefit to your business. We would expect you to shop around for quotations but would encourage you to check what level of service is being provided. Ask yourself whether you getting an assessment that will make a long-term difference to the health and safety of your staff and your business. If in any doubt, please do contact us without obligation.
Where we work
MESH carry out Noise Risk Assessments for companies in a diverse range of industries throughout the UK.
Our Head Office is in Kent, with regional offices located in London, The Home Counties, The Midlands, and The North East.
