Noise at work can cause hearing damage that is permanent and disabling. Hearing damage is preventable if the right steps are taken.  The loss of hearing is permanent and can be detrimental to a person’s quality of life,  interfering with communications and losing the ability to follow conversations. The loss of hearing is a very isolating disability and employers should take every measure available to protect their employees hearing by implementing a noise awareness training programme where noise levels are high in the workplace.

Noise control to preventing excessive noise in the workplace and protect the hearing of workers is covered under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005.  The regulation covers the legal responsibilities of employers to identify when there is a health and safety problem with noise levels in the workplace and implement systems of the control of noise to prevent harm to employees.  Guidance on noise awareness can be found on HSE’s website at Noise at Work.

This course will show you how dangerous noise can be in the workplace, and the main safety issues you should be aware of. It will take you through some of the simple science, the main laws that apply and introduce you to noise level limits. It also covers some of the specific health risks and how to avoid them by producing risk assessments, action plans and through the provision of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment. It concludes by examining how to provide information and
instruction to employees, along with the most professional way to conduct health surveillance of the workforce.