If you work on music events, you might think noise is just part of the job, but did you know, event organisers have a legal responsibility to protect the hearing of their staff?
Under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations, which came into force in 2008, event organisers must follow safety guidelines when exposing their employees (or event volunteers) to excessive noise.
To help you stay within the law and avoid potentially costly compensation claims, we asked Kelly Friel from Zoro, a provider of noise-protection equipment, to explain the regulations.
Why do event organisers need to be concerned about the noise their employees are exposed to?
“Event organisers need to be concerned about high levels of noise because it can have damaging effects on the health of their workforce. Exposure to sounds over 85 decibels (dB) can be enough to cause damage. And, should workers be exposed to excessive noise, it can be enough to cause irreversible damage, putting them at risk of tinnitus or even hearing loss.”
What are an event organisers’ legal obligations under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations?
“The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 are the rules that employers must follow to ensure that employees’ hearing is protected while they are at work — for the music and entertainment sectors, these were introduced in 2008. Under the Regulations, a duty of care is placed on the event organiser as an employer, and they must protect staff from exposure to noise.
“There are a number of obligations that must be followed. Firstly, employers must carry out a risk assessment to identify where and how noise can prove harmful to their workers, and they must then put measures in place to eliminate these risks or reduce them as much as possible. If it isn’t possible to remove the risk of noise, an event organiser must provide staff with suitable hearing protection.
“As well as controlling risk, an employer needs to take preventative measures, including carrying out checks to make sure the legal levels of noise aren’t being exceeded, providing staff with training on noise control and equipment, and screening employees’ health when there is a risk.
“It’s also worth mentioning that these regulations don’t apply to members of the public who aren’t working and have made a choice to attend a noisy event. In addition, noises that are below the limit and don’t pose a risk are not covered.”
Is it just music that organisers must be aware of when it comes to protecting staff from noise?
“While music played at a high noise level is something that needs to be protected against, it’s important to remember that it’s not the only source of potential risk. Other activities, such as heavy machinery used to set up an event or the special effects used to accompany entertainment, can also surpass safe levels for noise, especially if exposure is frequent. It’s best to take an open view and assess all potential sources of noise in the working environment to completely protect staff.”
What steps should organisers take to evaluate risk from noise at their events?
“As part of a risk assessment, organisers need to take a few steps to evaluate the dangers of noise to workers. The aim of this assessment is to identify the potential hazards and how they could harm a workforce so that you can take necessary measures to control them. It must be carried out by a competent person who has enough training and experience to carry out a thorough assessment.
“The first step of an assessment should be to consider all aspects of the working environment and identify where the noise risk is, as well as who is most likely to be affected. Where there is a risk identified, an accurate estimate should be made of how much exposure those in danger will have, and this estimate should be compared to the legal limits.
“When a risk is identified, and exposure levels are a danger to health, an organiser must decide what controls to put in place to reduce or eliminate exposure. This could be a permanent measure, such as imposing an amplifier volume limit, changing the direction of speakers, or providing hearing protection for staff. Finally, you must assess staff to identify anyone who needs health surveillance.
What are an employee’s responsibilities under the regulations?
“As well as an employer’s responsibilities, there are duties that employees must fulfil. Once a risk assessment has taken place and control measures have been introduced, staff must co-operate to ensure the health and safety of themselves and others. That means following any new procedures and using any new equipment as instructed.
“If hearing protection is provided, it must be used all the time when noisy work is being undertaken or if an employee enters a hearing protection zone. Staff must take care of their hearing protection as instructed by their employer and report any defects promptly. Any faults with other noise control devices must also be reported.
“It’s also the responsibility of the employee to attend regular hearing checks to ensure that any damage to hearing is spotted quickly before it becomes serious.”
How can event organisers reduce staff exposure to noise?
There are quite a lot of measures that event organisers can take to reduce noise levels and limit how much workers are exposed. Some of these include:
- Planning an event to ensure that the show and setup are appropriate for the venue: For instance, making sure that the volume of the performance is just loud enough for the venue size. The same volume for an open-air festival is not required for a small indoor venue.
- Make use of acoustic controls: The use of acoustic screens or similar can absorb noise and reduce its impact on hearing. For example, using a screen behind a drum kit can isolate its sound and protect other performers and nearby staff.
- Assessing on-stage controls: Make sure that the equipment being used is appropriate and decide if noise control devices, such as a volume limiter, is required. It may be possible to use quieter instruments and amps without altering the performance.
- Assessing off-stage controls: Designate hearing protection zones where protection must be worn by staff at all times to ensure they aren’t exposed. Leaving a gap between speakers and staff where possible can reduce exposure too.
- Use the right procedure for sound checks: Individual instruments or equipment can be checked individually at a realistic volume, and then they can all be checked together once at concert volumes. Only permit the necessary staff to be present during the sound check.
Conclusion
Noise-induced hearing loss is a real risk for staff working regularly on gigs, festivals and other productions. Make sure you protect your workforce by checking noise levels and introducing measures to minimise exposure.
Still got questions? Ask your peers how they assess events for noise risk or other health and safety concerns. Post your question in the Event Planning category on the EventTribe forum.
