Recording Sound Assessments And Reducing Hearing Damage
Since the introduction in the UK of the first Control Of Noise at Work Regulations in 1989, which replaced the Health and Safety at Work Act,1974, it may have been assumed that the problems of workplaces with the potential to cause hearing damage by subjecting their employers to noise levels exceeding statutory limits no longer exist.
The reality is excessive noise levels can still exist in many manufacturing and engineering factories and assembly lines and the potential for incurring noise induced hearing loss is still present. The key difference today is the ability for company employees to ensure the regulations are enforced by demanding their employers conduct noise level assessments, which must be recorded, creation of clearly marked dangerous noise level zones and the issue and wearing of ear protection.
Too often, employers would use the absence of any noise level records as a defence against workers claiming industrial deafness compensation. Without any documented proof of the presence of direct and constant exposure to an excessive noise level, which is claimed to have caused the employee to suffer hearing loss, a case could be dismissed for lack of evidence.
The regulations make the employer legally responsible to measure noise levels in places where employees work and if this is not undertaken, the employer will, himself, have no proof and thus grounds to assert that the noise levels were not excessive.
A rough indication that a sound assessment should be carried out is if normal conversation cannot be conducted between two individuals two metres ( 6.6 feet) apart.
When workplace noise levels regularly reach 80-85dB, employers have a duty to 
actively inform their employees and reduce noise produced by machinery or other equipment causing excessive noise levels. One solution is to completely enclose the machinery with sound reflecting panels to contain the noise or re-site the machinery in a separate room designated a high noise level area requiring the wearing of ear protection at all times.
If sound assessments record a daily noise level reaching 85dB(A), by law, adequate ear protection, maintained in good condition, must be issued to the workforce which must be worn. Sound exposure levels should never exceed 87dB(A) or peak above 140dB(C).