Hearing loss caused by exposure to noise from work related activities continue to be a significant occupational disease. Workers at risk include, for example, those in the construction industry, textiles, metalworking, forestry and agriculture. People using grinders, chainsaws, conveyor belts, woodworking machinery, tractors or other noisy machinery are also at risk of exposure to high levels of occupational noise. Exposure to an average of 85 db(A) over the course of an eight hour period can leave workers experiencing a condition known as Temporary Threshold Shift. This temporary reduction in sensitivity can be alleviated over the course of a number of hours or days in a quieter environment. However, exposure to high levels of occupational noise over long periods of time can eventually lead to permanent hearing loss.

Legislation currently available to protect workers from noise exposure includes:

• European Communities (Protection of Workers) (Exposure to Noise) Regulations, 1990 (SI No. 157 of 1990)
• Council Directive 86/188/EEC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to noise at work
• Directive 2003/10/EC on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (noise)
• Directive 98/37EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to machinery contains essential health and safety requirements for machinery safety.

Currently the minimum noise exposure level is <85 db(A) and the moderately high noise exposure level is 85 – 90 db(A). If noise levels are found to be within this range then it is the employer’s responsibility to provide their employees with information, instruction and training covering the risks to their hearing and obligations under the regulations. Protective equipment should also be supplied by the employer. However, If the high noise exposure level of >90 db(A) is breached then it is mandatory for employees to wear the protective equipment supplied and it is also the employers duty to supply signage of this responsibility.

EURO environmental services undertake occupational noise surveys with reference to the European Communities (Protection of Workers (Exposure to Noise) Regulations, 1990 and noise regulations listed above.

Services include:

• Assessment of Broadband and 1:3 Octave frequency measurements
• Assessment of tonal components in occupational noise sources
• Interpretation of results in accordance with Regulations
• Advice and recommendations on reduction of occupational noise levels

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