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Regulation 5
A noise risk assessment takes into account both the noise exposure level and the duration of exposure. An assessment must have some form of control plan arising from it. A simple measure of noise from each machine is not sufficient for compliance.

Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005

Workplace noise is governed in the UK by the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. These regulations include provisions:

setting out out the noise limits to which employees may be exposed while at work, the main ones being 80 and 85dB(A) over an 8 hour period, and no noise exposures above 87dB(A).
requiring employer to do a risk assessment and reduce the noise levels where they are over 85dB(A).
Provide hearing protection. At 80dB(A) its use is advisory but at 85dB(A) employers must enforce its use, sign all areas which need it and provide training in the dangers of noise and correct use of the hearing protection.
Conduct health surveillance (audiometry) where people are exposed to noise levels above 85dB(A).

Summary of Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005

Requirement	Below 80dB(A)	Lower action Level 80dB(A)	Upper Action Level 85dB(A)
Employers must:
Reduce the risk of hearing damage to the lowest level which is reasonably practicable (Reg. 6)
Carry out a risk assessment (Reg. 5)
Reduce noise exposure SFAIRP by means other than hearing protection (Reg. 6)
Provide health surveillance (audiometry)
Give employees information, instruction and training on: (Reg. 10)
Risks to their hearing
Findings of the risk assessment
The legal exposure limits
What they should do to minimise risk
How hearing protection can be obtained
How to and the need to report hearing damage
Entitlement to health surveillance and its results
Employees obligations under the Regs.
Mark the areas where hearing protection is required (Reg. 7)
Hearing protection, SFAIRP, must be:
Provided to all employees who ask for them
Provided to all people exposed to levels above 85dB
Maintained and repaired
Use to be made mandatory
Ensure SFAIRP, that all who enter a hearing protection zone wear hearing protection (Reg. 7)
Employees must:
Use hearing protection which they are provided with
Use any other noise reducing equipment (e.g. enclosures)
Report any defects in hearing protection or equipment

SFAIRP – So far as is reasonably practicable

Reg 7 means that anyone who enters an area where hearing protection is to be used must wear it, even if they do not stay long enough to get their daily noise ‘dose’. This particularly applies to managers entering a noise risk area only temporarily.

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