Recent research by the RNID and the TUC shows that many of the people working in Britain’s pubs, bars and clubs are being exposed to dangerously loud music and face serious and permanent hearing damage. With more than 0.5 million people working in this sector the chances are that there will be significant increases to the 170,000 people that already suffer from deafness as a result of excessive noise at work.
Whereas visitors to clubs have a choice of where they go and how long they spent there, staff at nightclubs are exposed to the possibility of hearing damage as a result of their work. Their employers have a duty under the “Noise at Work Regulations” to protect their hearing.
When the RNID commissioned a survey in 15 nightclubs, they found that in 4 of
these the noise levels were above 95 dB and in another 4 noise levels were above
100 dB. If a member of staff were to be exposed to the latter levels for just 45
minutes a day, then this exceeds the level that factory workers are allowed. As
most employees are at work for considerably longer periods, the risk of hearing
damage is significant.
First Stop Safety have organised a number of courses to advise employers and managers on how to assess the level of noise in their premises and how to take effective action to safeguard their staff’s hearing.
Please see www.firststopsafety.co.uk or ring 01904 791050 for details of the course.
NOISE OVERLOAD: A TUC/RNID health and safety report, November 2004. A copy is available at http://www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/tuc-9119-f0.pdf
