The
Health & Safety Commission has launched a consultation and guidance
document on proposed regulations to help protect employees from excessive noise
in the workplace.
The
European Physical Agents (Noise) Directive will reduce the maximum exposure
limits of noise by five decibels (db), extending protection a further one
million workers.
The
new exposure levels will be 80db and 85db with a limit of 87db on personal
noise exposure.
Excessive
noise can induce tinnitus and deafness and once the damage is done it’s often
permanent.
For
most employers the new regulations will come into force in February 2006.
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