Feature

“Keep the noise down!”: Preventing sound-related damages

Employers and duty holders are required under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) to provide workers with equipment that meets relevant supply laws. They must also adhere to the Control of Noise at Work Regulations, and the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) offers guidance which sets out an employer’s legal obligations.

31/08/2022 15:46:15

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In its L108 document, the HSE states that noise-related damages are entirely preventable if:
• employers take action to reduce exposure to noise and provide personal
hearing protection and health surveillance to employees
• employees make use of the personal hearing protection or other control measures supplied
• manufacturers design tools and machinery
to operate more quietly.

Manufacturers of machinery are legally required to provide information about the noise emission from their machinery if it exceeds certain levels. They
also must ensure that machinery is designed and constructed to reduce noise risks to the lowest level, alongside the use of protective measures and information relating to
any remaining noise risk. Purchasers of machinery should therefore expect equipment that is being sold on the market to reflect technical progress in low-noise design.

Read the full article in DPA's September issue

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.