Noise and vibration at work: Is your business protecting workers from permanent harm?

Noise and vibration are common workplace hazards that can cause serious and permanent health problems if exposure is not effectively managed. While the effects often develop gradually, they can have a lasting impact on workers’ health, wellbeing and ability to carry out their jobs safely. 

Exposure to excessive workplace noise can cause permanent hearing damage, either following repeated exposure over time or, in some cases, as the result of a single extremely loud noise. Hearing loss can make it difficult to understand speech, follow conversations and use the telephone, affecting both work and everyday life. 

Noise exposure can also lead to tinnitus, which may involve ringing, whistling, buzzing or humming in the ears. For some people, tinnitus can affect concentration, sleep and overall quality of life. 

Workplace vibration presents a different but equally significant health risk. Regular exposure to hand-arm vibration can cause hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Symptoms may include tingling, numbness, pain, weakness and reduced grip strength, making it difficult to carry out work safely or perform everyday tasks. HAVS can also cause finger blanching, where the fingers turn white before becoming red and painful as circulation returns. Symptoms may initially come and go, but continued exposure can lead to long-term or permanent damage. 

Around 15,000 workers experience hearing problems caused or made worse by workplace noise each year, while estimates indicate that approximately one in five workers may be exposed to harmful noise levels at work. 

Many noise- and vibration-related health conditions develop slowly, meaning workers may not realise they are being harmed until symptoms begin to appear. By that stage, some of the damage may already be irreversible. 

The risks are not limited to long-term health effects. Excessive workplace noise can make it harder for workers to communicate, hear alarms or warning signals, and remain aware of nearby hazards. If these risks are not properly controlled, the likelihood of accidents and serious injuries can increase. 

To help address these risks, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is encouraging employers to focus on three straightforward steps: Assess. Control. Protect. Taking action early can help prevent ill health, improve workplace safety and ensure legal responsibilities are being met. 

Legal responsibilities for noise and vibration 

Employers have legal responsibilities under the: 

• Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 
• Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 

Where employees may be exposed to noise or vibration, employers must assess the risks to health and safety and take appropriate action to eliminate the risk at source or reduce it to as low a level as is reasonably practicable. 

The arrangements required will depend on the work being undertaken, the equipment used, employees’ exposure and the effectiveness of existing control measures. Employers must ensure that employees are not exposed above the applicable noise or vibration exposure limit values. If an exposure limit value is exceeded, employers must take immediate action to reduce exposure below the limit, identify why the limit was exceeded and amend the control measures to prevent it happening again. 

Noise exposure action values: the Noise Regulations set specific exposure levels at which employers must take action. The lower exposure action values are 80 dB(A) for daily or weekly personal noise exposure (LEP,d or LEP,w) and 135 dB(C) for peak sound pressure (LCpeak). At this level, employers must assess the risk, provide workers with suitable information and training, make hearing protection available on request and provide health surveillance where the risk assessment identifies a risk to health. The upper exposure action values are 85 dB(A) (LEP,d or LEP,w) and 137 dB(C) (LCpeak). At this level, employers must implement a planned programme of technical and organisational controls, provide suitable hearing protection and ensure it is used, and establish hearing protection zones where reasonably practicable. The exposure limit values are 87 dB(A) (LEP,d or LEP,w) and 140 dB(C) (LCpeak), taking account of the protection provided by hearing protection. These limits must not be exceeded. 

Vibration exposure values: for hand-arm vibration, the daily exposure action value is 2.5 m/s² A(8) and the exposure limit value is 5 m/s² A(8). For whole-body vibration, the daily exposure action value is 0.5 m/s² A(8) and the exposure limit value is 1.15 m/s² A(8). A(8) means the vibration exposure averaged over a standard eight-hour working day, allowing different exposure durations to be compared on a consistent basis. 

Understanding the exposure action and limit values is important, but employers must first recognise where these risks may exist within their organisation and which workers could be affected. Noise and vibration hazards arise across a much wider range of workplaces than many employers realise. 

Who may be affected? 

Noise and vibration risks are not restricted to heavy industrial environments. 

These risks can arise wherever noisy equipment, powered tools, machinery or vibrating work equipment are used, including in: 

• construction; 
• manufacturing; 
• engineering; 
• maintenance; 
• agriculture; 
• utilities; 
• waste management; 
• grounds maintenance; and 
• entertainment and events. 

Potential sources include powered hand tools, production machinery, woodworking equipment, impact equipment, cutting and grinding tools, grounds maintenance machinery and mobile work equipment. Vehicle and mobile-machine operators may also be exposed to whole-body vibration. 

Employers should consider the work that is actually undertaken rather than assuming that noise or vibration is simply an unavoidable part of the job. 

For many organisations, the challenge is not simply recognising that noisy or vibrating equipment is used. It is demonstrating that exposure has been properly assessed, appropriate controls are in place and workers’ health is being effectively protected.  

Managing noise and vibration: assess, control and protect 

A practical approach to managing workplace noise and vibration is to consider three key stages. 

Assess 

Employers should identify where workers may be exposed and determine whether the exposure presents a risk to health. 

The assessment should consider: 

• the tools, machinery and equipment being used; 
• the nature and duration of the work; 
• who may be exposed; 
• how exposure varies during the working day; 
• information provided by equipment manufacturers, supported by representative workplace exposure data where necessary; 
• existing control measures; 
• reported symptoms or health concerns; and 
• whether exposure is likely to reach or exceed an applicable action or limit value, and whether measurements or specialist assessment are required. 

The assessment should reflect normal working practices and should not be based solely on how the work is expected to be carried out. 

Control 

Where a risk is identified, the priority is to eliminate the risk at source or reduce exposure to as low a level as is reasonably practicable. Where an exposure action value is likely to be reached or exceeded, employers must plan and implement suitable technical and organisational measures to reduce exposure. 

Managing workplace noise is not simply about meeting the exposure action values. Employers should continue to look for reasonably practicable ways to reduce exposure, even where levels remain below the upper exposure action values. Any measures introduced should be proportionate to the level of risk and the circumstances of the work. 

Where exposure is below the lower exposure action values, the risk is generally low and additional controls may not be necessary. However, simple and inexpensive improvements should still be considered where they could reduce exposure further and provide greater protection for workers. 

This may include: 

• eliminating unnecessary noisy or vibration-producing activities; 
• selecting quieter or lower-vibration tools and equipment; 
• using alternative working methods; 
• isolating noisy machinery or processes; 
• introducing engineering controls, enclosures or acoustic treatment; 
• ensuring tools and machinery are properly maintained; 
• reducing the time workers spend using vibration-producing equipment; 
• planning work to limit the number of people exposed; and 
• using rest periods or task rotation only as supplementary organisational controls, where they genuinely reduce each employee’s exposure. 

Personal protective equipment should not be used as a substitute for reasonably practicable measures that could eliminate or reduce exposure at source. 

Protect 

Where risks remain after appropriate controls have been implemented, further protective measures may be required. 

For noise, suitable hearing protection must be made available where exposure is at or above the lower action value and must be provided and worn where exposure is at or above the upper action value. Areas where employees are likely to be exposed at or above the upper action value must, where reasonably practicable, be designated and marked as hearing protection zones, with access restricted as appropriate. Suitable health surveillance, including hearing checks, must be provided where the risk assessment identifies a risk to employees’ health. For vibration, suitable health surveillance must be provided where the assessment identifies a health risk or employees are likely to be exposed at or above the action value and the statutory conditions for surveillance are met. 

Selecting suitable hearing protection 

Hearing protection should be selected carefully to ensure it provides effective protection without creating additional risks. Employers should consider: 

• the level and characteristics of the noise, selecting a suitable protection factor that reduces exposure without overprotecting or isolating the wearer; 
• the work being undertaken and the working environment, including physical activity, comfort, hygiene and the length of time the protection will be worn; 
• whether the protection allows workers to hear essential communication and warning signals; and 
• compatibility with other personal protective equipment, such as safety helmets, respiratory protective equipment and eye protection. 

Hearing protectors supplied for use at work should meet the applicable requirements of the relevant BS EN 352 standard and carry an appropriate conformity marking, such as UKCA or CE marking. They should also have manufacturer-provided attenuation data, including a verified Single Number Rating (SNR). Employers should consult workers and their representatives when selecting hearing protection, as involving the people who will use it can help ensure that it is suitable, comfortable and more likely to be worn correctly. 

Workers should understand the risks associated with their work, the symptoms they should report and the control measures they are expected to follow. 

Information, instruction and training 

Workers should understand the risks associated with their work, the symptoms they should report and the control measures they are expected to follow. To support this, employees who may be exposed to noise or vibration should receive suitable information, instruction and training relevant to their work. This should explain:  

• the health effects of workplace noise and hand-arm vibration, including hearing loss, tinnitus, hand-arm vibration syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome; 
• the sources of noise and vibration in their work and how exposure has been eliminated or reduced through the choice of process, equipment and other control measures; 
• whether they are at risk and how their exposure compares with the relevant exposure action and limit values; 
• the control measures in place, the steps planned to reduce exposure further and the safe working practices they must follow; 
• how to recognise and promptly report possible symptoms, including hearing difficulties, tinnitus, tingling, numbness, pain, finger blanching, weakness or reduced grip strength; 
• the purpose of health surveillance, how it can identify early signs of harm and the arrangements employees are expected to follow; 
• where hearing protection is required, how to select, fit, use, store and maintain it correctly, and why it must not replace suitable controls at source; 
• where necessary, how to use tools and equipment in ways that minimise vibration, including avoiding excessive grip or feed force and reporting defects promptly. 

Practical steps for managing noise and vibration 

Businesses should review their existing noise and vibration arrangements and confirm that the risks are being effectively assessed, controlled and monitored. 

The following checklist provides a practical starting point for reviewing your organisation’s arrangements. It can be used to identify gaps in assessment, exposure control, worker protection, training, health surveillance and ongoing monitoring. 

Practical noise and vibration checklist 

• Identify work activities, tools, machinery and equipment that may expose workers to significant noise or vibration. 
• Assess exposure against the applicable noise, hand-arm vibration and whole-body vibration action and limit values, and ensure exposure limit values are not exceeded. 
• Determine which workers or groups of workers may be exposed. 
• Complete suitable and sufficient noise and vibration risk assessments. 
• Use reliable exposure information to estimate employees’ exposure, arranging measurements or specialist assessment where the available information is insufficient to reach a reliable conclusion. 
• Consider whether hazardous activities can be eliminated or completed using alternative methods. 
• Select quieter and lower-vibration equipment where reasonably practicable. 
• Check equipment manufacturers’ information when selecting tools and machinery. 
• Ensure tools and equipment are suitable for the task and properly maintained. 
• Introduce engineering controls to reduce noise or vibration at source. 
• Limit exposure through appropriate work planning and task organisation. 
• Use job rotation, rest periods and personal protective equipment only as supplementary controls; do not rely on them in place of reasonably practicable controls at source. 
• Make suitable hearing protection available at or above the lower noise action value, and provide and enforce its use at or above the upper action value. 
• Designate and clearly mark hearing protection zones where employees are likely to be exposed at or above the upper noise action value, where reasonably practicable. 
• Ensure hearing protection is correctly selected, fitted, used, stored and maintained. 
• Provide workers with information, instruction and training on the risks and control measures. 
• Instruct workers to report hearing difficulties, tinnitus, numbness, tingling, pain or reduced grip strength promptly. 
• Provide suitable health surveillance where the risk assessment identifies a risk to health, applying the specific statutory criteria for noise and vibration. 
• Maintain appropriate records of assessments, exposure information, training and health surveillance. 
• Consult workers about the equipment they use and the effectiveness of existing controls. 
• Review assessments following changes to equipment, processes, working methods or exposure. 
• Check controls regularly to confirm that they remain suitable and effective. 

Don’t wait for symptoms to appear 

Noise-induced hearing loss and vibration-related health conditions can have lifelong consequences. 

Workers may not immediately recognise that damage is occurring. By the time hearing difficulties, tinnitus, numbness, tingling or pain become apparent, some of the harm may already be permanent. 

Taking early action can help prevent avoidable ill health, improve working conditions and demonstrate that workplace risks are being properly managed. 

Protecting workers from harmful noise and vibration is both a moral responsibility and a sound business decision. Effective controls can help prevent permanent ill health while reducing absence, lost productivity, compensation costs and disruption caused by avoidable occupational illness. 

How SafeWorkforce can help 

SafeWorkforce can carry out workplace noise and vibration risk assessments, helping your organisation identify potential exposure, assess the risks to workers and determine whether existing control measures are adequate. 

Our support can help businesses: 

• identify sources of workplace noise and vibration; 
• assess workers’ exposure; 
• review existing control measures; 
• identify where improvements may be required; and 
• prioritise practical actions to reduce the risk of permanent ill health. 

Noise and vibration remain important areas of regulatory attention, making this a timely opportunity to review your arrangements and ensure these risks are being effectively managed. 

If you need support assessing workplace noise or vibration, contact SafeWorkforce to discuss how we can help your business identify exposure and prioritise practical controls. 

This article provides general guidance only. The measures required will depend on the nature of the work, the level of exposure and the circumstances within each workplace.