Environment law update: Noise 7

United Kingdom
29/01/2003
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United Kingdom

Food and drink industries

The HSE has published new guidance, ‘Sound Solutions for the Food and Drink Industries – Reducing Noise in Food and Drink Manufacturing’. It contains 60 case studies showing how the risks of hearing damage to workers can be reduced in a cost effective manner and illustrates successful real life solutions. The guidance also covers the legal requirements and sets out the hierarchy of control measures to prevent noise exposure which includes purchasing machinery, preventing noise at source, through to providing hearing protection and training in its use.
(HSE, October 2002)

European Union

Noise in the workplace

The European Parliament and the Council have agreed on a Directive setting minimum health and safety standards for noise exposure in the workplace. The Directive provides for an average limit on exposure to noise at work of 87dB over a period of one week. It will come into force three years after formal adoption, which was expected at the end of 2002, and after five years for the music and entertainment sector. It will replace a 1986 Directive (86/188/EEC) which set a limit of 90dB. The new Directive will also increase the scope of sectors included, for instance maritime and air transport industries are now covered for the first time.
(European Commission Press Release, 25 October 2002)

For further information please contact Paul Sheridan on +44 (0)20 7367 2186 or at [email protected]

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