Short answer. The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 set two action values (80 dB(A) and 85 dB(A), each paired with a peak sound pressure figure) and an exposure limit value of 87 dB(A). Employers must assess noise risk, control it at source where possible, provide hearing protection, and arrange health surveillance once exposure reaches the upper action value.
What the regulations cover
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 protect workers from noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus, a persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears. They replaced the Noise at Work Regulations 1989 and introduced lower thresholds for action, reflecting a better understanding of how noise damages hearing over time.
The regulations came into force on 6 April 2006 for most industries in Great Britain, with the music and entertainment sectors following on 6 April 2008 once they had time to adapt working practices.
Action values and the exposure limit value
The regulations set three thresholds, each measured both as a daily or weekly personal noise exposure in dB(A) and as a peak sound pressure in dB(C):
| Threshold | Daily/weekly exposure | Peak sound pressure |
|---|---|---|
| Lower exposure action value | 80 dB(A) | 135 dB(C) |
| Upper exposure action value | 85 dB(A) | 137 dB(C) |
| Exposure limit value (ELV) | 87 dB(A) | 140 dB(C) |
The exposure limit value is different from the two action values: it is measured at the worker's ear after any reduction from hearing protection, and it must never be exceeded. The action values are triggers for specific duties, not limits on the noise itself.
What employers must do at each threshold
At the lower exposure action value (80 dB(A) / 135 dB(C)), employers must carry out a noise risk assessment, give workers information and training on the risks, and make hearing protection available to anyone who asks for it.
At the upper exposure action value (85 dB(A) / 137 dB(C)), the primary duty under regulation 6 is to reduce exposure as low as reasonably practicable by means other than hearing protection, such as quieter equipment or better working methods. Hearing protection zones must be marked and hearing protection becomes mandatory within them, but it is the fallback once other controls have been applied, not the first response.
Health surveillance under regulation 9 becomes a duty once there is a continuing risk to hearing, which in practice means workers regularly exposed at or above the upper action value. This means periodic hearing checks (audiometric testing) to catch hearing loss early, before it becomes permanent.
Risk assessment
A competent risk assessment identifies where noise levels may pose a risk, measures those levels, and evaluates how long and how often workers are exposed. It should cover every task and area where noise is a feature of the work, not just the loudest machine on site.
The findings then drive the control measures: where levels sit against the action values, which workers are affected, and what combination of engineering, administrative and personal protective measures is proportionate.
Reducing noise at source
The hierarchy of control sets the order in which noise hazards should be tackled. Elimination, removing the noise source altogether, comes first because it removes the risk of exposure entirely rather than managing its effects.
Where elimination is not practical, substitution follows: replacing noisy equipment or processes with quieter alternatives. Engineering controls come next, such as acoustic enclosures, sound barriers or vibration dampeners. Administrative controls, like rotating workers to limit individual exposure time or scheduling noisy work when fewer people are present, sit below that.
Hearing protection, earplugs or earmuffs, is the last line of defence: used when the other controls cannot bring exposure down far enough on their own, or as an interim measure while other controls are put in place.
Maintenance and use of equipment
Noise control equipment only works if it is kept in good order. Employers should set a maintenance schedule for machinery and noise reduction devices, because deterioration can push noise levels above the action values even where an assessment previously found no problem.
Workers should be trained to use equipment correctly and to report faults or changes that might increase noise levels. Well-maintained equipment protects hearing and tends to last longer as well.
Information, instruction and training
Workers need to understand the risks of noise exposure and how to protect themselves. Training should cover how to fit and use hearing protection correctly, why periodic hearing checks matter, and what to do if they notice symptoms of hearing loss or tinnitus.
For structured noise awareness training, see York Green's health and safety e-learning courses.
Consequences of non-compliance
Workers exposed to excessive noise without adequate controls risk permanent hearing loss, tinnitus and related health problems that do not improve with time. For employers, a failure to comply can lead to enforcement action from the Health and Safety Executive, including improvement or prohibition notices and prosecution in serious cases.
For the full technical detail, see the HSE's Controlling Noise at Work: L108.