Noise risk assessments for construction, printed with the RAMS.
Daily noise exposure for each role on the job, worked out from the equipment used and the time on it, under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005.
When a noise risk assessment is needed
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 require a noise risk assessment wherever work is likely to expose anyone at or above the lower exposure action value of 80 dB(A), with the significant findings recorded. On most construction jobs with breakers, saws or plant, it is.
Equipment and time
Equipment is picked from a list of 33 items with sound levels measured at the operator's ear, each with its source. Where the equipment's own figure is known, it can be entered instead. Time is entered in hours and minutes for each role.
Daily exposure, LEP,d, and the action values
The daily personal exposure, LEP,d, is worked out and set against the lower and upper exposure action values of 80 and 85 dB(A), with the time each item takes to reach 85 dB(A). The exposure limit value of 87 dB(A) applies at the ear, with hearing protection worn.
Each role prints on its own page at the back of the RAMS, with the workings shown.
LEP,d 99 dB(A)Above the upper action value
A groundworker's day: 1 hour 30 minutes on two items, LEP,d 99 dB(A).
Hearing protection zones, hearing protection and health surveillance
The duties at that level print with the result: hearing protection zones where exposure may reach 85 dB(A), hearing protection that keeps exposure at the ear below 87 dB(A), and health surveillance above 85 dB(A).
Working it out by hand
The same sums, free and without an account, are on the noise exposure calculator, and the method is in how to calculate noise exposure.