Southwark Council Noise at Work

  • RBA Client:Southwark Council
  • Start Date:February 2006
  • Completion Date:November 2008

Due to changes to the Control of Noise at Work Regulations, Southwark Council contacted RBA Acoustics to undertake assessments in a number of their departments, including Southwark Cleaning and Southwark Building Works. The assessment would establish the daily noise exposure of employees and make recommendations to ensure their hearing is protected.

RBA met with the various departments under investigation to establish the most appropriate methods of determining noise exposure of employees. It was decided that noise surveys would be carried out to monitor employee exposure using dosimeters. As part of this study our staff trained Southwark's employees to ensure the aims of the study were understood and that the equipment was installed in the correct manner on the test subject.  Sample measurements were also taken of noisy activities performed by employees and daily noise exposure calculated based on these measurements.

Following completion of the noise surveys, recommendations regarding the employer’s responsibilities in terms of maintaining the health of their staff were reported.  The included advice on the provision of hearing protection, the control of noise at source and limiting the time of exposure.  From the results of our surveys and assessments, the council could then make changes to working practices as required.