Are noise regulations about to change?

Yes. The European Parliament published a Physical Agents (Noise) Directive early in January 2003, introducing lower noise 'action levels' that will protect a further one million UK workers. New industries such as call centres and pubs and clubs (see below) are likely to fall within its scope. The government has until 15 February 2006 to implement new regulations.

The Directive includes:

• Lower noise 'action values' at which employers have to intervene (Article 3 of the Directive) – 80 dB and 85 dB compared with 85 dB and 90 dB in current regulations. A 5 decibel reduction is effectively a two-thirds lowering of the action value.
• A single exposure limit value of 87 dB above which any exposure to noise, taking into account hearing protection, is prohibited.
• The right to a hearing test (Article 10(2)) for the 700,000 workers exposed to the second action level (between 85 dB and 90 dB).
• Consultation with workers and their representatives in risk assessments for noise, action plans and 'the choice of individual hearing protectors' (Article 11). Both the TUC and RNID highlighted this in their representations on the draft directive.