Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

17.24 
Contr
ol of Noise at W
ork Regulations 2005

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Introduction to Health and Safety at Work
370
17.24.2
Exposure limit values and action levels – 
Regulation 4
The Noise at Work Regulations require employers to take 
specifi c action at certain action values. These relate to:
➤
the levels of exposure to noise of their employees 
averaged over a working day or week, and
➤
the maximum noise (peak sound pressure) to which 
employees are exposed in a working day.
The values are:
➤
lower exposure action values:
➤
daily or weekly exposure of 80 dB (A-weighted)
➤
peak sound pressure of 135 dB (C-weighted)
Figure 17.6
Manual Handling Operations Regulations – fl ow chart.
Do the Regulations apply, i.e does the
work involve maual handling
operations?
Regulation 2(1)
Regulation 4(1)(a)
Determine measure to reduce risk of
injury to lowest level reasonably
practicable
Is it reasonably practicable to
avoid moving the load?
Is it reasonably practicable to automate
or mechanize the operation?
Does some risk of manual
handling injury remain?
Review as necessary
Is there a risk of injury?
Yes
Yes/possibly
Yes/possibly
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Regulation 4(1)(b)(i)
Regulation 4(1)(b)(ii)
Regulation 4(2)
No
No
Yes
Carry out manual handling assessment
Implement measures
I
s risk of injury suffciently reduced?

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Summary of the main legal requirements
371
➤
upper exposure action values:
➤
daily or weekly exposure of 85 dB (A-weighted)
➤
peak sound pressure of 137 dB (C-weighted).
Figure 17.7 helps decide what needs to be done.
There are also levels of noise exposure which must 
not be exceeded:
➤
exposure limit values:
➤
daily or weekly exposure of 87 dB (A-weighted)
➤
peak sound pressure of 140 dB (C-weighted).
These exposure limit values take account of any reduc-
tion in exposure provided by hearing protection.