edp Safety Systems
total Management of Health and Safety
for every organisation
health, safety and environment consultants
Service Overview
Noise Risk Assessment
Call us on: 01744 766000
or fax on: 01744 766025
or email on:
enquiries@edp-uk.com.
Essential Services
H+S Services:
- Health and Safety Audit
- General Risk Assessment
- Specific Risk Assessment
- Fire Risk Assessment
- Manual Handling Risk Assessment
- COSHH Risk Assessment
- Display Screen Equipment Assessment
- Noise Risk Assessment
- Asbestos Survey (Type II)
- Competent Contractors Audit
- Access Consultancy
- Portable Appliance Testing
Overview
The Noise Risk Assessment is conducted in accordance with the "Health and Safety at Work Act", the "Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations" and the "Control of Noise at Work Regulations".
The latter item of legislation, in particular, defines acceptable exposure limits and action levels for noise in the workplace.
Objectives
The purpose of a Noise Assessment is to protect persons against risks arising from noise in the workplace. It involves measuring workplace noise levels to which employees and others may be exposed and comparing these to the 'action levels' defined in the Noise at Work Regulations.
In situations that fall short of the requirements of the law or industry best practice, recommendations are made to reduce exposure to noise.
Methodology
The Assessment measures noise levels, using accurately calibrated equipment, to identify risks to persons - either potential hearing damage or consequential risks such as being unable to hear instructions or safety warnings.
Since many sources of noise are intermittent or variable in intensity, it is important for the assessor to see previous risk assessments and to interview representatives of employees and managers who are familiar with the workplace and the activities carried on there.
Initial enquiries are followed by a tour of the work location to take measurements of noise levels. Clearly the timing must be appropriate to the peak noise levels that are being generated.
Readings are normally taken over a defined period of time and then extrapolated to cover a normal working day.
Existing control measures are examined to determine if they are adequate and if they are being properly deployed to provide the protection for which they are designed.
Measurements, findings and recommendations are documented in the final report.
Duration
For small premises, assessments may be completed within a day or two. However, for more complex situations this timescale may be extended considerably.