About Workplace Noise Consultancy
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.
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.
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.
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: P&O Ferries
Sector: Shipping
MESH noise assessments and training has enabled P&O Ferries to improve its control of exposure to noise. I would highly recommend MESH.
P Allcock - Port Manager (Dover and Portsmouth)
MESH undertook a noise survey on behalf of P&O Ferries portside operations at Dover. This survey covered a range of activities including maintenance workshops, traffic management, operating vehicles that move trailers on and off of the ships and coin counting.
From the report provided P&O have implemented a number of improvements and requested MESH to deliver noise awareness training to the employees potentially at risk. The training was well received and assisted P&O to change the mindset of staff towards workplace noise and the use of workplace noise controls.
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 £1,575 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 surveys, assessments and noise mapping 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.
