Industrial Health and Safety: Noise

(asked on 24th July 2019) - View Source

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, what steps she is taking to ensure that employers protect employees' hearing.


Answered by
Mims Davies Portrait
Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
This question was answered on 3rd September 2019

The Government’s policy on ensuring that employers protect their employees’ hearing is well established. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has responsibility for occupational health and safety legislation which includes the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. The Regulations impose duties which, depending on the level of risk, require employers to:

  • take action to reduce exposure to noise and ensure the legal limits on noise exposure are not exceeded;
  • ensure that equipment is properly maintained and used;
  • provide employees with personal hearing protection where it’s appropriate;
  • provide information, instruction and training;
  • carry out health surveillance.

HSE focuses its activities on industries where there are high numbers of workers who are exposed and/or where there is evidence of a high incidence rate of noise induced hearing loss. It does this through a range of approaches and interventions, specifically:

  • securing effective risk management and control through a variety of interventions with businesses including inspections, investigations of incidents and concerns raised by workers and others;
  • leading and engaging those who undertake or influence health and safety;
  • the provision of comprehensive guidance;
  • ensuring that the regulatory framework remains effective.
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