Noise at Work is the theme of this year's European Week for Safety and Health at Work (24-30 October 2005). Noise is one of the most underestimated workplace risks and RNID, the largest charity representing the nine million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK, and the TUC is urging employers to do more to protect workers' hearing. Excessive noise in the workplace has caused half a million people in Great Britain to suffer deafness or other ear conditions, they say, adding that in some bar and club venues, workers' hearing is being damaged by music as loud as an aircraft taking off (110dB(A)).
Brian Lamb, director of communications at RNID, says: "Noise at work issues are usually associated with industries such as manufacturing and construction. However, with more licensed premises opening longer and playing loud, amplified music, staff working in bars, clubs and pubs might not realise their hearing is being put at such high risk.
Hugh Robertson, Senior Health and Safety Officer at the TUC, says: "If bar and club owners don't protect their staff from ear splitting noise they will end up in court. In just over two years the leisure industry will be covered by new legislation, which reduces further, noise levels in music venues. How are they going to meet the legal requirements when they cannot even comply with the current regulations? The industry must get its act together quickly before it is hit with a huge wave of compensation claims and enforcement action."
In a joint report titled Noise Overload, published in December 2004, RNID and the TUC highlighted that local authorities were failing to enforce Noise at Work regulations under which employers have a legal duty to protect their employees' hearing. Nearly a year on, there has been little or no improvement in the enforcement of Noise at Work regulations in bars, clubs and pubs. RNID and TUC are urging local authorities and HELA (the HSE and local authority enforcement committee), to carry out noise assessments and enforce Noise at Work regulations in bars, clubs and pubs in their areas.
With tighter EU Noise at Work Regulations coming into force in April 2006 and 2008 for the leisure industry, changes have to be made. Hearing protection for bar, club and pub workers subjected to music played well above the safe and legal level is vitally important, the organizations say.
(Lee Baldock)
