Measuring up to noise
Noise-induced hearing loss can occur to people at low levels of noise. An HSE survey in the 1990s indicated that in excess of two million workers were exposed to noise levels between 80db and more than 142db, averaged over the working day or week. The Noise at Work Regulations in force at the time were introduced in 1989, but it was always viewed that these would move on as industry continued to improve the workplace. In April 2006, the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 came into force, implementing EU Directive Physical Agents (Noise) Directive (2003/10/EC).
Silence is golden
To avoid effects such as occupational deafness and hand-arm vibration, plants must adopt a best practice approach to noisy environments and processes. Steed Webzell reports
Accidents waiting to happen?
Although blessed with one of the best industrial health and safety records on the planet, statistics reveal that the UK cannot afford to become complacent. Brian Tinham examines problems and solutions
Good vibrations
Now that both noise and vibration are being seen as less acceptable - thanks to legislation limiting exposure (the Control of Noise (April 2006) and Control of Vibration (July 2005) at Work Regulations) - technology is emerging not only to protect operators better, but increasingly also to help engineers determine and, where possible, design out or at least tackle the causes.