Noise and Vibration

Hearing loss caused by exposure to excessive noise at work continues to be a significant cause of occupational disease. People can suffer deafness, tinnitus or other forms of hearing damage. Vibration from hand-held power tools can also damage hands and fingers, causing painful disorders of the blood vessels, nerves and joints.

The risks from noise and vibration are easily controlled by:

• identifying potential sources of noise or vibration
• assessing how great the risk is by measuring noise levels, looking at exposure times, who is exposed and work activities
• putting into place control measures to reduce the risk
• monitoring how effective the control measure are by carrying out health surveillance

If you are responsible for work activities that generate noise or vibration, but are unsure whether employees are at risk, ask yourself the following questions.

• Do employees have to raise their voice at work to have a normal conversation with someone who is 2m (6ft) away?
• Do employees use noisy powered tools or machinery for over half an hour a day?
• Do employees have muffled hearing at the end of the day, even if it is better by the next morning?
• Is the noise intrusive, like a busy street or crowded restaurant, for most of the working day?
• Do employees regularly use powered hand-held tools such as sanders, grinders, powered mowers and disc cutters

If you answered 'yes' to any of the questions above employees may be at increased risk from hearing damage and  the effects of vibration. If you need further advice, please contact the Health and Safety Advisory Service. We can provide specialist support and are trained to measure noise exposure.

You will find further information on controlling noise and vibration at work by following the links on this page.