RNID and the TUC are warning that changes in the Licensing Act, allowing 24 hour opening, will lead to an increased likelihood of workers in bars, clubs and pubs being exposed to dangerously loud noise for longer. They fear extended opening hours will mean the 568,000 people already working in this growing industry will be subjected to music so loud they could lose or permanently damage their hearing.
Noise at Work is the theme of this year’s European Week for Safety and Health at Work (24-30 October 2005). Noise is one of the most underestimated workplace risks and RNID, the largest charity representing the 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK, and the TUC are urging employers to do more to protect workers’ hearing. Excessive noise in the workplace has caused half a million people in Great Britain to suffer deafness or other ear conditions (1). In some bar and club venues, workers’ hearing is being damaged by music as loud as an aircraft taking off (110dB(A)).
Brian Lamb, Director of Communications at RNID, says: “Noise at work issues are usually associated with industries such as manufacturing and construction. However, with more licensed premises opening longer and playing loud, amplified music, staff working in bars, clubs and pubs might not realise their hearing is being put at such high risk.
“Prolonged exposure to loud noise can cause permanent hearing loss. Since noise induced hearing loss is often cumulative and not immediately obvious, its threat is seldom recognised or taken seriously. However, whilst its effects are irreversible, noise induced hearing loss is totally preventable through the implementation of noise reduction strategies and provision of ear protection for employees.”
Hugh Robertson, Senior Health and Safety Officer at the TUC, says: “If bar and club owners don’t protect their staff from ear splitting noise they will end up in court. In just over two years the leisure industry will be covered by new legislation, which reduces further, noise levels in music venues. How are they going to meet the legal requirements when they cannot even comply with the current regulations? The industry must get its act together quickly before it is hit with a huge wave of compensation claims and enforcement action.”
In a joint report titled: ‘Noise Overload,’ published in December 2004, RNID and the TUC highlighted that local authorities were failing to enforce Noise at Work regulations under which employers have a legal duty to protect their employees’ hearing. Nearly a year on, there has been little or no improvement in the enforcement of Noise at Work regulations in bars, clubs and pubs. RNID and TUC are urging local authorities and HELA (the HSE and local authority enforcement committee), to carry out noise assessments and enforce Noise at Work regulations in bars, clubs and pubs in their areas.
Blackpool Borough Council (BC) is one of the few local authorities in England that has been enforcing Noise at Work regulations in its bars, clubs and pubs. Cllr F Jackson, Portfolio Holder for Health & Safety Enforcement at Blackpool BC says: “There is no reason why other local authorities should not be enforcing the Noise at Work regulations. Blackpool is the UK’s most popular holiday resort and home of what is understood to be the UK’s biggest nightclub. We are enforcing Noise at Work regulations with full co-operation from club and bar managers.
Cllr Jackson continues: “I also believe HELA`s failure to include the issue of noise in its strategy has had a direct impact on its lack of priority for Local Authorities.”
With tighter Control of Noise at Work Regulations coming into force in April 2006 and 2008 for the leisure industry, changes have to be made. Hearing protection for bar, club and pub workers subjected to music played well above the safe and legal level is vitally important.