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Lower Exposure Action Value - 80dB(A)
- Provide information instruction and training for
employees
- Provision of ear protectors for those who request
them
Upper Exposure Action Value - 85dB(A)
- Obligation on employer to reduce noise levels below
85dB(A)
- Provide ear protectors for all those exposed
- Ensure ear protection is worn
- Employees have a duty to wear ear protectors
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Exposure Limit Value - 87dB(A)
- Hearing Protection Zones must be clearly identified
- Access is to be restricted
If The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 indicate
that there is a risk to the health of the employees exposed
to noise, then the employer shall ensure that such employees
are placed under suitable health surveillance, which includes
testing their hearing.
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations (2005) set out
rules for employers that must be abided by in order to minimise
the risk of noise related problems such as permanent deafness &
tinnitus.
Health surveillance is a programme of systematic health
checks to identify early signs and symptoms of work-related
ill health and to allow action to be taken to prevent its
progression. It is also useful in monitoring the effectiveness
of controls taken by a company (e.g. noise protection),
though it is not in itself a control measure or a substitute
for controlling risk at source. Suitable health surveillance
usually means regular hearing checks (Audiometric testing).
Employers are obliged to provide suitable health surveillance
where a risk assessment indicates a risk to workers' health,
i.e. a risk from exposure to noise without taking account
of the noise reduction provided by hearing protection. The
results of the health surveillance will enable employers
to check, among other things, whether the hearing protection
programme has prevented hearing damage.
It is best for employers to consult with employees concerned
and their employee or safety representatives before introducing
health surveillance. It is important that they understand
that the aim of health surveillance is to protect them from
developing advanced symptoms of ill health. Their understanding
and co-operation is needed if health surveillance is to
be effective.
What we provide:
At Audioscreen, one of the things we can provide employers
with is the expertise to carry out and manage health surveillance
programmes (Audiometry) to satisfy employer obligations
with respect to this under The Control of Noise at Work
Regulations (2005).
With maintaining Health surveillance programmes we can
arrange to supply health surveillance data (anonymised and
grouped to protect medical-in-confidence information about
individual workers) relating to your business. This will
indicate whether new cases of noise induced hearing loss
are developing or whether existing cases have worsened.
This will help you decide whether the risk is being controlled
effectively and whether you need to do more to control it.
Such information should be made available to safety or employee
representatives. Any necessary referrals can also be facilitated
as well to the relevant medical professional.
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