Noise: What do I need to tell my employees?

[Neil Enslin]

It is important that employees understand the risks they may be exposed to. Where they are exposed above the lower exposure action values you should at least tell them:

* the likely noise exposure and the risk to hearing this noise creates;
* what you are doing to control risks and exposures;
* where and how people can obtain hearing protection;
* how to report defects in hearing protection and noise-control equipment
* what their duties are under the Noise-induced Hearing Loss Regulations;
* what they should do to minimise the risk, such as the proper way to use hearing protection and other noise-control equipment, how to look after it and store it, and where to use it;
* your health surveillance systems.

Make sure you give information in a way the employee can be expected to understand (for example you might need to make special arrangements if the employee does not understand English or cannot read).

Employee and safety representatives

Consulting with trade union-appointed safety representatives or other employee representatives is a legal requirement. Working with safety representatives and employees' representatives is a very useful means of communicating about health and safety matters in your workplace. For example, discuss with them your risk assessment and action plan, including any proposal to average exposure over a week, selection of hearing protection, any hearing protection zones and your health surveillance programme.

Remember: Involving your employees in decisions can help improve working relationships, make your employees more receptive to new ideas and help you control exposure to noise.