NOISE INFORMATION
Noise issues and the services that SBM Safety Solutions provide can be broadly seperated into two categories, Noise at Work (Health and Safety) and Environmental Noise (including Planning e.g. PPG24, Building Regulations Part E and Nuisance):
Noise at Work
The hazard of noise at work and the potential for noise induced hearing loss from prolonged exposure is something that must be considered by employers where there is a forseaable risk. The requirements to assess the risk from noise are covered by the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. Since April 2008 the entertainment industry has also been included e.g. pubs, clubs etc.
Assessment should be made by a competent person with suitable training, experience and monitoring equipment or by consultants such as SBM Safety Solutions, where exposure is likely to exceed the lower exposure action value:
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1st Exposure Action Value (EAV) 80dBA - daily or weekly exposure, or a peak sound pressure of 135 dB(C) your company must implement the following measures:
- Record the assessment;
- Make hearing protection available;
- Provide adequate information and training to workers and reps and those people exposed to these levels (including this policy);
- Provide audiometric testing or hearing checks / health surveillance by a competent person (with referral to a GP as necessary) where risk indicated (for vulnerable workers e.g. people with existing hearing conditions);
2nd Exposure Action Value (EAV) 85dBA - daily or weekly exposure, or a peak sound pressure of 137 dB(C) the Company must implement the following measures:
- Record the assessment;
- Ensure hearing protection is worn (selected to eliminate risk or reduce to a minimum);
- Provide adequate information and training to workers and reps and those people exposed to these levels (including this policy);
- Provide audiometric testing or hearing checks / health surveillance by a competent person (with referral to a GP as necessary);
- Provide a programme of control measures;
- Create hearing protection zones - put up signs and control access;
You must also ensure that the daily or weekly noise exposure limit value of 87dB(A), or 140 dB(C) for peak sound pressure, is not exceeded.
Environmental Noise
Ambient or environmental noise is unwanted or harmful outdoor sound created by human activities, including noise emitted by means of transport - road traffic, rail traffic, air traffic - and from sites of industrial activity.
Sound is essential to our daily lives, but noise is not – noise can be defined as unwanted sound. It is a source of irritation and stress for many people and can even damage our hearing if it is loud enough. Many of us are exposed to stressful levels of noise at home and at work.
Noise nuisance
A nuisance is often difficult to establish but, generally speaking, if something is unreasonable to the average person, a court might decide it is a statutory nuisance. Noise nuisance is covered by Part III of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA). This law empowers local authorities to deal with noise from fixed premises (including land) if they consider that the noise amounts to a statutory nuisance. Proceedings may be taken against noise from factories, shops, pubs, dwellings and stationary vehicles.
The Noise and Statutory Nuisance Act 1993 makes noise in the street a statutory nuisance. Traffic noise, noise made by military forces, or from campaigning demonstrations is excluded. The following are included:
Vehicles - Noise emitted from a vehicle, caused by it or by car repairs, car radios, car alarms and parked refrigerator vehicles.
Loudspeakers - The use of loudspeakers in the streets is banned between 9.00 pm and 8.00 am (the police, ambulance and fire brigade are exempt). Local authorities can license use outside these hours – e.g. for entertainment but not for advertising purposes or electioneering. Vehicles selling perishable foods may use loudspeakers between 12.00 noon and 7.00 pm and these times can be varied with local authority consent.
Burglar Alarms - Under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, local authorities in England and Wales can designate all or part of their area as an "alarm notification area". If an alarm notification area is designated, a notice will be published in a local newspaper and all affected addresses notified. Anyone responsible for premises in a designated area where an intruder alarm is installed must nominate a key holder and notify the local authority. The key holder should live nearby, be able to gain access and know how to silence the alarm if it goes off accidentally. Failure to register a key holder may result in a fine. If an alarm (whether in a designated area or not) has been sounding continuously for 20 minutes or intermittently for more than an hour, and is judged to be giving reasonable cause for annoyance, (and, in a designated area, reasonable steps have been taken to contact the nominated key holder) an authorised officer of the local authority can enter the premises to silence the alarm. If entry can only be gained by force, a warrant will be required.
Night time noise
The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 amended the Noise Act 1996 and enables local authorities in England and Wales to tackle night time noise emitted from dwellings and gardens between the hours of 11.00 pm and 7.00 am. To enforce these powers local authorities must ensure that an environmental health officer takes reasonable steps to investigate complaints about noise emitted from dwellings. If the officer is satisfied that noise exceeds the permitted level, a warning notice may be served on the person responsible. If the warning is ignored, the officer may issue a fixed penalty notice of £100, enter the dwelling and confiscate the noise making equipment (obstructing confiscation carries a fine of up to £1000), or prosecute (fine up to £1000). In Scotland similar action can be taken under the Anti-Social Behaviour (Noise Control) (Scotland) Regulations 2005.An extension of the Noise Act came into force in February 2008, enabling local authorities in England and Wales to tackle night time noise from licensed premises.
Fireworks
Recently fireworks have become an increasing noise problem for people and pets. They are let off not only for traditional celebrations such as Bonfire Night, New Year and Diwali, but year round to mark public and private celebrations. The Fireworks Regulations 2004 prohibit anyone under 18 from possessing a firework, and anyone except professionals from possessing display fireworks. They also prohibit the use of fireworks between 11.00 pm and 7.00 am except for Chinese New Year, Diwali, New Year's Eve and Bonfire Night. Since January 2005 only licensed traders can supply fireworks year round (find out more about fireworks legislation). Unlicensed traders can only sell them for short periods around the festivals mentioned above.
Construction site noise
This covers inherently noisy operations – building works, roadworks, demolition, dredging etc. They often take place in areas which were quiet beforehand and are expected to be quiet again when the work is complete. Under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 local authorities can serve a notice imposing requirements as to how the construction works should be carried out to minimise noise. The environmental health department sets noise limits, taking into account the character of the local area. Anyone intending to carry out construction works may apply in advance for a consent. Compliance with the terms of a notice or consent does not rule out proceedings by an individual on the grounds of noise nuisance under s.82 of the Environmental Protection Act.
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Transport Noise
Road traffic noise - comes from tyres on road surfaces, engine noise and body rattle and is determined by speed.More traffic means more noise.
Aircraft noise - most noise is from take-off, landing and turning and is a major problem near airports and flight paths. While individual aircraft are quieter, increasing air traffic means more people are affected.
Railway noise - main factors determining rail noise are type of engine, speed and track quality. If more high-speed rail links are developed, problems associated with rail noise could increase.
Industrial noise - noise from industry, particularly where sited near residential areas can have significant local impact.
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Neighbourhood noise is noise where the effects are confined to a small area. For example, noise from a club, entertainment venue, small factory or building site. The individual sources of neighbourhood noise are usually easy to identify.
Neighbour noise, or domestic noise, affects the smallest number of people, but can be the most annoying and is the most complained about. The most common neighbour noise complaints are about loud music and dogs barking. Burglar alarms, loud televisions, shouting, banging doors, and DIY work are also common sources.
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Buildings and Sound Insulation
Sound Insulation in Buildings and of building Elements BS EN ISO 140-7:1998
The method for measuring the field sound insulation of building elements is given in BS EN ISO 140-4:1998 and an additional method for measuring the impact sound insulation for floors is given in BS EN ISO 140-7:1998. Once the sound reduction index has been measured the result can be rated to give single number figures and adaptation terms in accordance with BS EN ISO 717.
Local authorities now require compliance with these standards for planning approval and sign off of building projects.
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Part E of the Building Regulations require sound insulation between all new dwellings and the conversion of buildings to form dwellings. The use of sound testing or robust details is required.Other acoustic standards are also included. These cover sound reduction between rooms for residential purposes and designated rooms in dwellings, acoustic conditions for common areas in flats and schools.
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BS4142 1997 Method for Rating Industrial Noise Affecting Mixed Residential and Industrial Areas
This standard is used to support planning applications for the introduction of industrial type noise sources in to mixed residential areas. Theassessmentcomparesthe noise source with existing background noise.
The noise source is either measured oracoustic data taken from the manufacturer's information for the item or plant of interest. A background noise survey must be performed during the proposed operating hours. The worst hour during day time is taken, and the worst 10 minutes at night.
Following analysis and corrections to the data in accordance with BS4142 the difference between the source and existing noise level is determined.
A difference of +10dB is a positive indication that complaints are likely. A difference of -10dB is a positive indication that complaints are unlikely. A difference of +5dB is said to be of removedal significance.
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Planning policy guidance notes (PPG 24)
Planning policy guidance notes set out the Government's policies on different aspects of planning. Local authorities must take their content into account in preparing their development plans. As a result these may be material to decisions on individual planning applications and appeals.
PPG 24 gives guidance to local authorities in England on the use of their planning powers to minimise the adverse impact of noise and builds on the advice previously contained in DOE Circular 10/73.
It outlines the considerations to be taken into account in determining planning applications both for noise-sensitive developments and for those activities which will generate noise introduces the concept of noise exposure categories for residential development, encourages their use and recommends appropriate levels for exposure to different sources of noise advises on the use of conditions to minimise the impact of noise.
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Sources:
Defra et al