Noise regs now apply to music and entertainment sectors

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (the Noise Regulations) came into force for all industry sectors in Britain on 6 April 2006 except for the music and entertainment sectors. Employers in these sectors must take new steps to prevent or reduce risks to health and safety from exposure to noise at work.

The regulations require employers to assess the risks to your employees from noise at work, take action to reduce noise exposure that produces those risks and provide employees with hearing protection if they are unable to reduce the noise exposure enough using other methods.

In addition, they must ensure the legal limits on noise exposure are not exceeded and provide employees with information instruction and training. "Health surveillance" must be carried out where there is a risk to health from noise at work.

Under separate environmental rules, employers will also have to consider the impact of workplace noise on people who live or work near their business.

Further information on the noise regulations is available from the Health and Safety Executive - see link above/right.