Police - Noise at Work Risk Assessments

Here at Acoustic Consultants Ltd, we provide a range of noise at work risk assessments for firms across the UK. Since 2005, there has been the onus on all employers to make sure that their employees are not subjected to damaging noise levels, regulated by the Control of Noise at Work Regulations.

Noise at Work Risk Assessment for Police

When we were tasked with carrying out Noise at Works surveys and assessments for two Police departments in the south-west, we knew that the Police HQs are home to the forces’ Firearms Training Departments and Communication Suites.

These are clearly noise levels at each end of the sound level spectrum, it doesn’t take an acoustician to tell you that! Firearms staff will obviously be exposed to high-pressure noise levels, comprising an array of different noise characteristics. Communications staff meanwhile are obviously exposed to much lower sound levels in general – but typically for longer durations.

It is just as crucial to assess the noise levels in each of the two environments, to ensure that staff are having their hearing and health protected. 

Undertaking the Noise at Work surveys: the regulations

The surveys were undertaken to provide assessment and advice to control noise in relation to “The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005” (L108). 

Based on an employee’s daily or weekly Personal Noise Exposure Level, the Regulations set out thresholds of noise in which employers are required to take certain actions to reduce noise exposure levels – the ‘Exposure Action Levels’ – which are separated into a lower and upper threshold. 

It also states limits to which employees are not to be exposed over their working day or week – the ‘Exposure Limit’.

Brüel & Kjaer Class 1 Sound Level meters were used, alongside high-pressure microphones for the firing range, and a head and torso system for the Communications Suite. Thorough analysis of the A- and C- Weighted equivalent and C-Weighted peak noise levels was undertaken over octave band frequencies (Hz).

This allowed our assessment to robustly consider the single number rating (SNR) and the High/Medium/Low (H/M/L) requirements of a variety of hearing protection combinations for the Firearms Staff. We could also consider the impact of typical volumes that Communications Suite staff were listening to calls through headsets.

Sound levels & Variation

Firing Range staff are exposed to extreme, high pressure noise levels over short bursts, with potential risks of blast trauma from peak noise levels. 

Communications Suite staff are exposed to noise levels that are typically longer in duration, with potential risks from acoustic shocks or distortion through headsets.

Many factors can play a part in how noise affects the end receiver (the staff). In the case of a firing range, reverberation time of the unit has a large impact upon how the noise moves around the internal space; a low reverberation time is preferable for firing ranges, reducing the reflections within the space. Considering the Communications Suite, the background sound level within the office space, along with the quality and style of the staff’s headsets, play a key role in the volume levels that the user sets on their system, in turn potentially affecting the daily or weekly exposure they are exposed to.

The Police Departments followed the appropriate processes to ensure that their facilities operated safely and within workplace regulations. 

Studies have shown that noise at work not only has the potential to affect hearing quality and create tinnitus but also affects motivation and productivity. It can also potentially lead to stress, sleep loss and other health implications.

Get in touch with us at Acoustic Consultants Limited today to see how we can assist with your noise at work assessments.