Noise and Vibration at Work Assessment

Noise and vibration at work can create significant occupational health risks where employees are exposed to machinery, tools or processes over extended periods. Employers need to understand exposure levels and implement appropriate controls where workers may be exposed above relevant action or limit values.

Our consultants provide workplace noise and vibration measurements and assessments to help businesses understand occupational exposure and identify practical control measures.

Workplace Noise Assessment

We measure noise generated by machinery, tools and workplace processes and assess employee exposure across different activities and working conditions.

The assessment can consider individual tasks, working patterns and combinations of equipment to establish a representative picture of occupational noise exposure.

Control of Noise at Work

Our assessments support employers in addressing the requirements of the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. Where exposure presents a potential risk, we can advise on practical measures to reduce noise at source and protect employees.

Recommendations may include engineering controls, equipment selection, enclosure, isolation, maintenance, changes to working practices and appropriate hearing protection.

Hand-Arm Vibration Assessment

Hand-arm vibration exposure can occur through the use of power tools and machinery. We undertake measurements and assessments to help establish employee exposure and identify suitable control measures.

The objective is to reduce unnecessary exposure and help employers manage the risks associated with prolonged use of vibrating tools.

Whole-Body Vibration

Whole-body vibration can affect employees who operate or regularly travel in vehicles or machinery. Our consultants can measure and assess whole-body vibration exposure and provide recommendations for reducing risk where appropriate.

Practical Risk Reduction

A useful assessment should provide more than measurement results. We focus on identifying where exposure occurs, what is causing it and which control measures can realistically be implemented within the workplace.

Our findings provide employers with clear technical information to support occupational health and safety management and ongoing workplace improvements.

Specialist Services

  • Measurement of noise of machinery and tools and assessment of exposure in any combination of processes
  • Advice on noise mitigation measures to reduce employee noise exposure and prevention of Noise Induced Hearing Loss
  • Measurement of Hand Arm Vibration during the use of tools and machinery and assessment of exposure in any combination of processes
  • Advice on mitigation measures to reduce the exposure to vibration and prevention of Vibration White Finger
  • Measurement and assessment of Whole Body Vibration
  • Advice on mitigation measures and prevention of adverse effects, such as bad backs

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Question: What is a Noise at Work Assessment?

Answer: A Noise at Work Assessment measures and evaluates the noise to which employees are exposed during their working day and determines whether it exceeds the legal action values. It is a legal requirement under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 wherever employees are likely to be exposed to noise at or above the lower exposure action value.

The assessment identifies who is at risk, the sources of noise, the daily and weekly personal noise exposure of employees, and the measures needed to reduce exposure and protect hearing.

 

Question: What are the noise exposure action values?

Answer: The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 set the following values:

  • Lower exposure action value: daily or weekly exposure of 80 dB(A) and peak sound pressure of 135 dB(C)
  • Upper exposure action value: daily or weekly exposure of 85 dB(A) and peak of 137 dB(C)
  • Exposure limit value: daily or weekly exposure of 87 dB(A) and peak of 140 dB(C), taking hearing protection into account

At the lower value, employers must assess risk and provide information and hearing protection on request. At the upper value, they must reduce exposure through controls, mark hearing protection zones, make hearing protection mandatory and provide health surveillance.

 

Question: Which workplaces need a Noise at Work Assessment?

Answer: Assessments are commonly required in manufacturing, engineering, construction, printing, woodworking, food and drink processing, warehousing, transport and logistics, entertainment venues, bars and nightclubs, schools with workshops and music departments, and any workplace with noisy machinery, tools or environments. If people have to shout to be heard at two metres, an assessment is almost certainly required.

 

Question: What is a Vibration at Work Assessment?

Answer: A Vibration at Work Assessment evaluates employees’ exposure to hand-arm vibration (HAV) from tools such as grinders, drills, breakers and chainsaws, and whole-body vibration (WBV) from vehicles and machinery. It is required under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, which set an exposure action value of 2.5 m/s² A(8) and a limit value of 5 m/s² A(8) for HAV, and 0.5 and 1.15 m/s² A(8) for WBV. Prolonged exposure can cause hand-arm vibration syndrome and back injuries.

 

Question: How is a Noise at Work Assessment carried out?

Answer: The consultant surveys the workplace, measures noise levels using calibrated sound level meters and personal dosimeters worn by employees, records exposure durations and calculates daily personal noise exposure (LEP,d) in accordance with HSE guidance L108. The report identifies employees and areas exceeding the action values, evaluates existing controls and hearing protection and recommends further measures.

 

Question: What measures can reduce noise and vibration exposure?

Answer: The regulations require exposure to be reduced as far as reasonably practicable through engineering and organisational controls before relying on personal protective equipment. Measures include selecting quieter or low-vibration equipment, enclosures and damping, maintenance, isolating noisy processes, limiting exposure time and job rotation, and providing suitable hearing protection with training. Health surveillance is required where exposure remains above the upper action value.

 

Question: Why choose Syntegra Group for noise and vibration at work assessments?

Answer: Syntegra Group provides Noise at Work and Vibration at Work Assessments for employers across the UK, delivered by experienced acoustic consultants in accordance with HSE guidance L108 and L140. We provide clear reports that identify legal obligations, prioritise practical controls and support employers in demonstrating compliance to the HSE and insurers.

Our wider acoustic expertise allows us to design engineering noise control solutions, such as enclosures, attenuators and isolation, where these are needed to reduce exposure at source.

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