Noise Legislation

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Noise in the Workplace

Noise in the workplace is still a considerable problem in many business sectors. All workers who are exposed to high levels of noise may have problems in the long term such as fatigue, stress, hearing loss, etc.

The 2003/10/EC directive stipulates a fall in the exposure threshold authorised for workers of 5 dB compared to the previous regulations. Companies are obligated to put forward a plan to reduce noise when this threshold is reached. This plan will put forward solutions to be implemented in order to comply with regulations.

Concerning the minimum health and safety regulations

Decree no. 2006-892 of 19 July 2006 relating to the health and safety regulations applicable in the event of exposing workers to risks due to noise and amending the Labour Code. 3 values should be used:

• Exposure limit values are a daily level of exposure to noise of 87dB (A) or a peak acoustic pressure level of 140dB (C)
• Exposure values triggering preventive action are a daily level of exposure to noise of 85dB (A) or a peak acoustic pressure level of 137dB (C): Draw up and implement a programme to reduce exposure to noise.
• Exposure values triggering preventive action are a daily level of exposure to noise of 80dB (A) or a peak acoustic pressure level of 135dB (C): Individual protection.

In view of what is at stake for companies and workers subject to the risk of noise in the workplace, IAC BOET STOPSON offers a vast range of solutions: Enclosures, all types of silencers, acoustic screens, acoustic doors, acoustic ventilation grids, movable walls, partitions, etc. with guaranteed results.

Environmental noise

European Directive 2002/49/EC on environmental noise comes in addition to the abundant EU legislation on sources.

This Directive ensures a uniform assessment, in the twenty-five European member states, of exposure to environmental noise by means of:

• Creating strategic noise cards;
• Prevention and reduction of excessive noise using plans of action;
• Protection of quiet areas;
• Circulation of information and public participation (are at the heart of the process).
• Actions are carried out on an EC scale.

Roads, railways, airports, industries, these are the major sources of environmental noise targeted by this directive, which applies to built-up areas of over 100,000 inhabitants.

Order of 23 January 1997, which sets the following limits:

"Noise emissions must not generate a point source above the acceptable levels set out in the table below, in the areas where areas where it is regulated:

Level of surrounding noise in regulated point source zones (including the establishment's noise) Acceptable point source for the period from 7:00 to 22:00, except Sundays and holidays Acceptable point source for the period from 22:00 to 7:00 except Sundays and holidays Above 35 dB(A) and below or equal to 45 dB(A) 6 dB(A) 4 dB(A) Above 45 dB(A) 5 dB(A) 3 dB(A)

Under this order, the terms below are defined as follows:

Point source

The difference between the equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure levels of surrounding noise (operational establishment) and residual noise (with no noise generated by the establishment). In the event of an establishment being subject to an authorised modification, residual noise excludes the noise generated by the entire modified establishment.

Regulated point source zone

• 1. Inside buildings inhabited or occupied by third parties, existing on the date the authorisation is granted for the building and any close outside areas (courtyard, garden, terrace);
• 2. Construction zones as stipulated by town planning documents binding on third parties and published on the date the authorisation is granted;
• 3. Inside buildings inhabited or occupied by third parties which have been set up after the date the authorisation is granted in the aforementioned construction zones and any close outside areas (courtyard, garden, terrace), excluding those of buildings constructed in areas for the purposes of arts and crafts or industrial activities.

Furthermore, the prefectural authorisation order stipulates, for each period of the day (diurnal and nocturnal), noise levels not to be exceeded within the limit of suitability for the establishment, determined so as to ensure compliance with acceptable point source values. The values fixed by the authorisation order cannot exceed 70 dB (A) during the day and 60 dB(A) during the night, unless the residual noise for the period under consideration is above this limit.

Control of the point source

The indicator is the difference between the equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure levels of surrounding noise and residual noise. In the event the difference between the equivalent level and the L50 fractile index is above 5 dBA, we use as a point source indicator the difference between the L50 fractile indices.

Solutions

IAC BOET STOPSON is your global noise control solutions supplier, from acoustic engineering to equipment design and manufacturing.

More information

To discover specific UK legislation and regulations : click here