Sound Advice Website Launched By HSE

On 6 April 2008 the Noise Regulations came into effect for employers in the live or recorded music sector, including restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. To help people understand the issues around noise at work and the music industry in particular, the HSE has launched a new website to provide guidance on the Control of Noise at Work Regulations and the effects of noise upon an individual persons hearing.

The guidance is quite detailed and of interest not just to those within the entertainment industry.

Since April 2006 other industry sectors have had to comply with the Regulations, but due to the nature of their work the music and entertainment industry were given a two year transitional period. 

Representatives of music and entertainment industries together with Environmental Health Officers helped the HSE to prepare the guidance available on the new website - Sound Advice.

Primary responsibility for complying with the Noise Regulations rests with the employer and may include concert promoters, event organisers, theatrical producers, contractors and publicans).
Employers must:

• assess the risks to employees from noise at work;
• take action to reduce the noise exposure that produces those risks;
• provide employees with hearing protection if the noise exposure cannot be reduced enough by using other methods;  
• make sure the legal limits on noise exposure are not exceeded;
• provide employees with information, instruction and training (it is important that employees understand that the Noise Regulations also apply to them); and
• carry out health surveillance where there is a risk to health.

HSE website: Sound Advice

source: HSE/Worplace Law Network

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