Noise at work regulations fall on deaf ears
Despite the 6 April 2006 dateline when the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 come into effect, evidence suggests that only a handful of firms are preparing adequately for them.
Following on from the EU Physical Agents (Noise) Directive, the new regulations will lower the threshold of how many decibels are considered acceptable in the workplace. Under existing health and safety legislation, businesses issued with improvement notices for noise can end up in court if they don't comply.
Phil Grace, casualty risk manager at Norwich Union, says: "Those firms familiar with the demands of noise at work legislation are already taking action, but those not switched on to it tend to respond only when the enforcement authorities get involved."
