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8th May 2008

NEWS IN BRIEF

Cut it Out

As of 6 April 2008, the entertainment industry has had to abide by the 2005 Control of Noise at Work Regulations.

That means that employees who work in any entertainment venue including theatres, music halls, orchestras, nightclubs, cinemas, discos, pubs, restaurants, sporting events, fairgrounds, theme parks, and leisure or activity centres where live or recorded music is played are now covered by the regulations.

The regulations reduce the risk of damage to hearing caused to employees by noise levels above 80 decibels.

The main changes required of employers are as follows:

• Carry out risk assessments for employees exposed to noise levels at or above 80 decibels
• Introduce control measures for noise reduction where the noise levels are at or above 85 decibels
• Provide hearing protection
• Provide health surveillance including hearing tests for those workers at risk and monitor and advise them of the results
• Provide information, instruction and training relating to the risks of exposure to noise and other facts relating to the new regulations.

For more information about the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 see Thompsons’ Health and Safety News Spring 2008.

The HSE Guidance on Regulations “Controlling Noise at Work “ is at www.hse.gov.uk.

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