How prepared are you for the “Noise At Work Directive”?

The European Union’s Noise at Work Directive is due to take effect on the 6th April 2006. This lays down new rules for protecting hearing.

Officially known as "Directive 2003/10/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council it specifies the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from noise. (Directive) How does this affect you?

The Directive specifies levels which you need to be aware of. The key ones are:

• If the noise exposure is above 80dB(A), the employer must take action to protect staff. This includes providing hearing tests, information and training. Hearing tests provide good benchmarks to demonstrate that hearing has/has not been affected by noise exposure.
   
• The weighted average noise exposure level measured over a full working day (8 hours) must not exceed 85dB(A)
   
• It is not illegal to work in environments with noise levels exceeding 85dB(A) but then it must be for a shorter period of time. Take a look at the chart below showing how noise exposure affects your ‘working time’. What this means is that if you were exposed to a noise level of 91dB(A) for 2 hours this is equivalent to an 8 hour exposure to 85dB(A).

So if you have members of staff who are exposed to ‘uncomfortable’ noise levels where the noise exposure is high, you will need to consider either reducing their working hours to compensate, or take action to reduce their noise exposure.

Corrective Action could be a combination of:

• Improving the office environment with better screening or looking at other noise absorbency techniques
   
• Providing amplifiers that limit noise exposure for staff using headsets following a re-examination of the equipment that they are using.

You need to be aware that even though your headsets maybe CE marked, this does not automatically mean that you will comply. (Definitions)

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Headset Solutions To The Legislation!!

All the major headset manufacturers have been working on solutions to help you meet the new Directive.

Whether you need a corded or cordless headset, GN Netcom has two solutions. For corded headsets consider the GN8210. The GN8210 digital amplifier is compatible with the complete range of GN Netcom corded headsets. The GN8210 limits noise exposure by regulating the volume that staff are exposed to and at the same time increases call clarity. Do call to set up your own trial. (GN8210)   For cordless headsets consider the GN9350. The GN9350 is a NEW cordless headset that can be used with both your desk phone for traditional telephony and with your PC for IP telephony. The GN9350, like the GN8210, increases call clarity and ensures that there’s always a safe consistent volume level for the headset wearer. (GN9350)

Plantronics are managing the roll-out of the VistaPlus DM15 Adaptor. This is a digital adaptor which actively manages noise exposure over an 8 hour period and automatically reduces the noise level if the headset wearer is getting close to the acceptable threshold.

Trials are possible in certain circumstances and interested Plantronics users are asked to contact us. (Vistaplus)

For corded headsets Clement Clarke Communications offer both the TC1000 and the TC2000. The major difference between the two is that the TC1000 is for Clement Clarke Headsets only, whereas the TC2000 can be used with GN Netcom and Plantronics corded headsets. Again, trials are possible within certain criteria, please do contact us for more information. (TC1000)

All Sennheiser headsets have ActiveGard™ technology built-in. This ensures compliance with acoustic shock legislation by compressing peak sound volumes. However to ensure full compliance with the new Directive Sennheiser have now introduced the UI740. This is a special ‘active interface box’ that limits noise exposure.
(UI740) (ActiveGard)

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Health & Safety Executive key messages:

• Employers have a legal duty to protect the hearing of their employees
   
• Damage to hearing from exposure to loud noise at work is preventable. The risks can be controlled by good management
   
• If people have to shout or have difficulty being heard clearly by someone about 2 metres away you may have a noise problem at work.
   
• Employers have to reduce risk of damage to employees' hearing and take specific actions where the noise exposure of their employees is likely to be at or above any of three 'action levels'.

For further information regarding the Noise at Work Directive including some useful leaflets that can be downloaded and provided to employees, please click here: www.hse.gov.uk/noise/issues.htm
 

Call Communications Solutions UK Limited on Tel. 0844 477 1622 or email us on info@com-solutions.co.uk