Workplace Noise Assessment and Occupational Noise Exposure

DustScanAQ are specialists in occupational noise exposure monitoring and provide comprehensive workplace noise assessments and surveys to help employers meet regulations and protect their workforce.

Workplace Noise Assessments

Requesting a workplace noise assessment from a competent assessor ensures compliance with the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and helps protect employees from work-related hearing loss.

Our qualified occupational noise assessors, accredited through the BOHS (British Occupational Hygiene Society) or the Institute of Acoustics, work in line with HSE guidance Controlling Noise at Work (L108).

A thorough workplace noise risk assessment will identify current noise levels and employee exposures in relation to legal limits. It will also review the noise controls and protective measures already in place to determine how effective they are. Where necessary, the assessment will recommend practical improvements to reduce noise exposure and safeguard employees’ hearing and overall wellbeing.

Workplace noise may be continuous, intermittent, or impact-based, and can include brief but harmful high-frequency sounds. Exposure to loud noise at work can cause both temporary and permanent hearing damage. This damage often develops gradually, with employees sometimes only realising the extent of their hearing loss when it combines with age-related decline.

Noise at work can result in tinnitus (ringing in the ears), noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), and reduced awareness of surroundings. These effects can impact concentration, safety, and overall quality of life.

Enquire Now

Noise Assessment Surveys

A noise assessment survey can include short-term measurements as well as continuous personal dosimetry monitoring to estimate projected daily or weekly noise exposures. Surveys are carried out using sound level meters and, where necessary, supplemented with personal dosimeters, which can be worn by employees to capture both noisy and quieter periods. In addition, the sound level meter records octave band frequency data, providing a more detailed assessment of the suitability of hearing protection compared with standard HML and SNR methods. These measurements also help to identify specific tasks or areas with high noise levels and ensure that exposure values are compared accurately against workplace noise regulations and action levels.

Where personnel are at risk of exceeding noise exposure limits, employers are required under UK occupational noise regulations to:

Ensure exposure does not exceed legal limit values
Manage and monitor exposure action values
Carry out a full occupational noise assessment
Provide employees with training, information, and suitable hearing protection
Implement an effective health surveillance programme
Take steps to eliminate or reduce risks through a noise control action plan

DustScanAQ’s workplace noise monitoring services provide employers with the data and expert guidance needed to meet these obligations. Our occupational noise surveys include a site visit, detailed measurements, and a clear report with recommendations for compliance and improved protection of staff.

Enquire Now

Andy Fisher

(BSc, CertOH, LFOH)
Principal Consultant

Discuss your Workplace Noise Assessment Requirements

If you would like to discuss any of your workplace exposure needs with our Principal Consultant, we can arrange an initial call to understand your exact requirements.

Please call us on +44 (0)1608 810110 or email Andy using the button below.