The NEW Noise at Work Regulations 2005, due to come into force on 6th April 2006, aim to protect persons (employers, employees visitors and subcontractors etc ) against risk to their health from exposure to noise at work. In implementing The European Union and Physical Agents Directive they lower previous exposure action values, outline maximum exposure limit values and specify where safety signage is required.

* Lower exposure action value:

o a daily or weekly personal noise exposure of 80dB(A-weighted); and;
o a peak sound pressure of 135 db(C-weighted).

* Upper exposure action values:

o a daily or weekly personal noise exposure of 85dB(A-weighted); and

o a peak sound pressure of 137 db(C-weighted).

* Exposure limit values:

o a daily or weekly personal noise exposure of 87dB(A-weighted); and

o a peak sound pressure of 140 db(C-weighted).

If in any area of the workplace under the control of the employer an employee is likely to be exposed to noise at or above an upper exposure action value for any reason the employer shall ensure that

1. the area is designated a Hearing Protection Zone;

2. the area is demarcated and identified by means of the sign specified for the purpose of

indicating that ear protection must be worn in

paragraph 3.3 of Part II of Schedule 1 to the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals)

Regulations 1996(a);and

3. access to the area is restricted where this is practicable and the risk from exposure justifies

it, and shall ensure so far as is reasonably

practicable that no employee enters that area unless that employee is wearing personal

hearing protectors.

See our range of safety signs which will help you to designate areas and warn of risks associated with high noise levels.