Industrial Noise & Vibration Centre

+44 1753 698 800

4.5 Day IOSH Noise at Work Risk Assessment & Management Course

Noise training courses

This certificate of competency in noise-at-work training course is delivered by practicing consultant engineers, not academics or perpetual trainers. They have both extensive teaching expertise and many years of experience in the field, making the training highly practical and effective with a multimedia and case study content and style ideally suited to busy professionals.

nil noise induced hearing loss NIHL

The IOSH-accredited noise competency course has been developed by us to be a practical, enjoyable and non-academic way of becoming a competent person under the Noise at Work Regulations 2005. It will save you time and money by showing you how to meet all the regulatory requirements as efficiently and practically as possible – whatever your industry. We can even provide you with comprehensive template report documentation for your own use.

Dispelling myths - and what you need to know
real world PPE performance
  • Decibels are difficult: we've developed a unique way to perform all calculations without maths or a calculator - decibels made simple
  • Why are 63% of noise reports inadequate (HSE data)? Replace largely placebo noise reports with effective risk management tools - quickly
  • Why is PPE not generally effective? A rising tide of claims proves it is far less effective than people imagine. There is an answer...
  • Long-term use of PPE is not permitted - unless you can prove noise control is impractical - see below
  • A noise control audit is a mandatory requirement. How to evaluate and cost the noise control options on your site

Many organisations have realised the value in training their health and safety staff to undertake noise risk assessments in-house. The noise competency course is IOSH accredited, delegates are awarded certification on successful (open book) exam and practical work completion.

“…made noise measurement & calculations easy and both theoretical and practical sessions were superb… the best course I’ve ever been on.” Sean O’Sullivan : H&S Manager, Harris Ireland
"Previously to this course I had no idea how much about noise I did not know. This course fixed that and I feel confident to carry our assessments and discuss" Patrick Smith, H&S Manager, Babcock International

What is a certificate of competence in workplace noise risk assessment and control?

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Successful completion of the noise competency course (including passing both an open book theory and a practical exam) provides delegates with an IOSH/INVC certificate as to their competency in being able to:

  • assess noise risks accurately
  • develop and implement an effective, best practice noise risk management programme of action that is tailored to a particular organisation

This is based on the requirements of the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, updated to include the latest risk reduction technologies and strategies.

Noise competency training course schedule and content

Location: public courses take place at venues throughout the UK including Newcastle, Swindon & Leicester.

Course outline: designed for Health and Safety Officers, managers and anyone wishing to understand/implement noise measurement, management and risk control in accordance with best practice under the current regulations.

Learning objectives and outcomes:  delegates gain the knowledge and confidence to identify their organisation’s obligations under the regulations, assess noise risks and to develop, put in place and manage an effective noise risk management plan.

Accreditation: Fully IOSH certificate. 
Qualification: 2.5 hour open book written exam and 0.5 hour closed book multiple choice exam leading to IOSH certificate, CPD points.
Relevant regulations: The Control of Noise at Work Regulations (CoNAWR) 2005.

We can also run these courses 'in-house' at your chosen location. Contact us to find out more >

Full day

  • The causes and effects of noise-induced hearing damage
  • How the ear works
  • Noise measurement units demystified
    • dB addition | A and C weightings | Leq, LEP,d, Lpeak | Noise Rating (NR) Curves
    • frequency analysis | octave bands/narrow band
    • effects of time on noise exposure | dose calculation
  • Homework

Full day

  • Homework review
  • Sound propagation
  • Sound absorption and insulation
  • The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 + HSE guidance
  • Noise management programme elements
    • Hearing protection
    • ‘Buy Quiet’ purchasing guidelines
    • Audiometry
  • Homework

Full day with practical work

  • Homework review
  • Noise instrumentation – practical session, exploring the use of various noise measurement instruments
  • Noise assessments – techniques and report presentation
  • Noise measurement procedures – practical session
  • *Site Visit practical session measuring data for a noise risk assessment at a nearby industrial venue (important: delegates must bring their own safety footwear). *Industrial site visit where available
  • Review of site visit findings and recommendations for noise control
  • Homework

Full day

  • Homework review
  • Noise control
    • Diagnosis and ranking
    • Aerodynamic noise control - fans, pneumatics etc
    • Mechanical noise control
    • Vibration isolation and damping
    • Case studies
  • No homework! Use this time to revise and sort your notes

Half day

  • Revision session
  • Written examination (2.5 hours). This is open book, so all notes are allowed
  • Multiple choice examination (0.5 hours). This is closed book
  • Lunch

None.

While this course is designed for delegates with no background knowledge in noise assessment you may find the following preparation helpful.

  • Review any noise policies or assessments your company already has in place to get an idea of the noise levels in your workplace. As the week progresses, this will help you develop ideas of what you need to do once you return to work - and whether previous assessments were suitable.
  • If your company has a sound level meter, try to bring it with you. This will: a) enable you to check it is suitable for noise at work risk assessments; b) you can use your own meter for the practical session. While we provide easy to use, quality sound level meters for delegate use on the course, it is better to familiarise yourself with an instrument you are likely to use at work.
  • Download and skim-read the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. A downloadable version is available from the HSE using this link. Control Of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (L108)
  • Note: refer to the individual location joining instructions for PPE required for the practical visit. ( issued with invoice)

  • This course has a high exam pass rate due to the non-academic approach and the uniquely simple approach to noise calculations
  • Delegates have opportunities to ask questions of experts re their own specific noise issues and to get practical advice or solutions
  • Best practice, low-cost noise control techniques are provided that delegates can take away to apply in their own companies
  • The content is at the cutting edge of best practice and innovation


Price Per Delegate

£1,295 + VAT. View dates and venues >

Course folder, lunches and refreshments included. Contact us for in-house versions >


Course Dates

Course Location Start date Finish date Total Cost
4.5 Day IOSH Noise at Work Risk Assessment & Management Course Leicester March 31, 2025 April 4, 2025 £1360
4.5 Day IOSH Noise at Work Risk Assessment & Management Course Swindon June 23, 2025 June 27, 2025 £1360
4.5 Day IOSH Noise at Work Risk Assessment & Management Course Manchester Nov. 17, 2025 Nov. 21, 2025 £1360