Posted on: May 9, 2024
HSE inspections target the failings of hearing protection and noise control
Over the 2024-2025 period, Workplace Noise will be specifically targeted by HSE Inspectors. Hearing protection and noise control have been selected as the initial subjects for a review of occupational noise risk across all industries. The 3 main issues that will be considered are:
- PPE: the assumption that this is an easy risk management option is false as the real-world performance is only a small fraction of that generally assumed so too many employees still suffer Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)...
- Noise Control: effective noise control programmes are far too rare due to lack of knowledge.
- Noise Reports: a quality review as the general standard is poor - enforcement action will be possible.
...40% of PPE users got no protection whatsoever… 60% had inadequate protection… 14% did not wear the PPE… HSE Research Report RR720
Preemptive Duty Holder Actions
Check the following to ensure that you are using current best practices.
- Learn about the real-world limitations of PPE; review and update hearing conservation practices
- Invest in a Noise Control Audit to generate a cost/benefit analysis of the options that could be self-financing
- Review past noise reports and generate a high quality digital template for future use either in-house or by consultants
HSE Inspection Phase 1
Hearing protection programmes
- ensure that duty holders are aware that PPE is a difficult option
- enforce the effective management of hearing protection
- advise on Buy Quiet and the list of controls held by the duty holder
- gather 3rd party noise reports for evaluation of quality
CUFF acronym
The HSE is promoting a simple message based on the CUFF acronym:
C – Condition: is the PPE in a good repair?
U – Use: are workers using PPE when it is necessary?
F – Fit the ear: is the PPE correctly fitted?
F – Fit for purpose: is the PPE correctly specified for the environment?
Noise control programmes
Currently, effective noise control programmes are rare and there is far too much reliance on the use of hearing protection that is demonstrably less effective than is generally understood. The recommended Hierarchy of Controls is conspicuous by its absence when it comes to noise control...
- noise control list: duty holders will be required to develop and maintain a list of past, current and planned noise control measures.
- Buy Quiet: duty holders must develop and implement an effective noise purchasing policy to minimise future NIHL risk.
Noise report quality survey
The HSE will be collecting and assessing 3rd party workplace noise survey reports for the quality of the advice provided. There has already been a recent case where a consultant was prosecuted for providing inadequate and flawed advice on noise and vibration. Based on past experience of both occupational and environmental noise reports, prosecutions are likely to become much more common. A previous HSE report survey indicated that 63% of the former reports were inadequate and the Environment Agency survey indicated that 95% of the latter were inadequate. Consequently, the results are likely to be depressing (statistical results will be publicised when complete)...
Planned potential actions where report quality is inadequate include:
- follow-ups with both duty holder and 3rd party where advice in reports results in a significant risk to duty-holders
- investigations of 3rd party advisors for consistent poor advice
- enforcement when deemed necessary
