Human Resources: Britain to reduce noise levels in the workplace

In Britain, the legal limit on workplace noise is due to be reduced by five decibels, following the introduction of new legislation in April 2006.

The new European Directive is aimed at protecting employees from hearing damage and requires employers to take action to reduce noise levels.

According to the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), the number of workers covered by the legislation will double to 2.25 million.

Under the Noise at Work Regulations (1989), employers must reduce risk of damage to employees' hearing and take specific actions where the noise exposure is likely to be at or above any of three noise "action levels".

The new legislation will reduce the first two noise action levels by five decibels (dB) each – the first of which will fall to 80dB and the second to 90dB.