Control of Noise

ISO 45001:2018 Clause 8.1.2 · Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 · HSE L108 — Identification, assessment and control of noise exposure

Procedure overview

A M Water Services controls operative exposure to noise from disc cutters, breakers, plant, generators, pumps and percussive tools through the hierarchy required by the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. Noise exposure is identified at risk assessment; where the assessment indicates exposure may approach the Lower Action Value, a noise assessment is performed and recorded. Control measures — engineering reduction at source, noise-attenuating PPE, exposure-time limits — are implemented per the action band reached. Operatives in Action Band 2 (above 85 dB(A)) attend health surveillance under SOP 8.7. Records are retained per SOP 4.7.

Control of Noise — Process Flow

HSQE Consultant & Site Supervisor

Sean Ashton
Jason May

Assess & Control

Exposure to noise identified during risk assessment

Has noise assessment been performed?

Perform and record noise assessment

Yes

Apply control band per the assessment

Below 80 dB(A): notify operatives of noise level during induction

Action Band 1 (80–85 dB(A)): post advisory hearing-protection signs; provide appropriate hearing protection

Action Band 2 (85–140 dB(A)): post compulsory hearing-protection signs; provide adequate hearing-protection devices; instigate health surveillance

Above 140 dB(A): work cannot take place. Reduce noise at source; consult noise specialist before any work proceeds

Provide staff with information and instruction: dangers of high noise exposure; noise controls applied; correct use of hearing protection

Identify high-risk operatives; instigate health surveillance per SOP 8.7

SOP 8.7 Health Surveillance

Site Supervisor & Operatives

Jason May
Team Leaders · Operatives

Use, Inspect & Monitor

Use / wear hearing PPE per risk assessment / control measures

Carry out pre-use inspection of powered hand tool(s)

Carry out work activity

Site Supervisor monitors and enforces control measures

Operative reports any concerns or health effects (ringing in ears, temporary threshold shift, hearing difficulty after work) to Site Supervisor and HSQE Consultant

Process / Activity

Decision Point

Document / Cross-reference

Continue / Apply

Mandatory Action / Stop

Action values and exposure limit (Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005)

Exposure is assessed as a daily average L_EX,8h (8-hour time-weighted average) and as peak sound pressure L_Cpeak.

Threshold	Daily / weekly average L_EX,8h	Peak L_Cpeak	Required action
Lower Exposure Action Value	80 dB(A)	135 dB(C)	Provide information & training; provide hearing protection on request; assess noise
Upper Exposure Action Value	85 dB(A)	137 dB(C)	Mandatory hearing-protection zones; provide and require use of hearing PPE; reduce exposure at source; instigate health surveillance under `SOP 8.7`
Exposure Limit Value (taking PPE attenuation into account)	87 dB(A)	140 dB(C)	Must not be exceeded. If reached even with PPE, immediately reduce exposure (engineering controls, job rotation, time limits)

Typical AMWS noise sources and indicative levels at the operative ear: hand-held breaker 95–105 dB(A); disc cutter 100–115 dB(A); abrasive saw 105–115 dB(A); compactor / wacker plate 95–105 dB(A); generator 80–90 dB(A); excavator cab 80–90 dB(A); pressure-test pump 85–95 dB(A). All trigger Action Band 1 or Band 2 in proximity. Hearing protection selection: the SNR (Single Number Rating) of the protector must reduce the exposure below 85 dB(A) at the ear without over-protecting (which causes operatives to remove protection); HSE recommends targeting 70–80 dB(A) at the ear after attenuation.

Control of Noise

Control of Noise — Process Flow

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