Noise Assessments & Mapping

There is no single source of workplace noise, and no universal approach to controlling noise exposure. For this reason, we take a tailored approach to monitoring that recognises the differences between routine operations, mobile plant, one-off tasks and variable shifts.

Our occupational hygienists assess both personal and environmental exposure through tailored monitoring strategies, including:

• Personal noise monitoring, where individual workers wear dosimeters throughout their shift to gather accurate exposure data and identify where exposure exceeds action values.
• Background noise levels, focused on specific processes or pieces of equipment that may produce noise, helping you identify where to prioritise controls
• Assessment of hearing protection, using octave ban calculations to determine whether the hearing protection in use is suited to the noise in your environment
• Area noise mapping, an add-on service that uses handheld meters to map sound pressure levels across the workplace, identifying high-risk zones and key noise sources.

This monitoring allows us to understand not just how loud the workplace is, but how workers interact with that noise, and whether existing controls are sufficient.

Noise monitoring is a legal requirement where workers are exposed to daily or weekly noise levels above 85 dB(A), or where peak sound pressure exceeds 137 dB(C). However, carrying out assessments before these thresholds are reached allows companies to identify rising risks early, take proportionate action, and avoid relying solely on hearing protection as a reactive measure.

Monitoring is particularly important when:

• You’re introducing new machinery or processes that are noisy.
• Workers are regularly using tools such as grinders, saws, compressors or demolition equipment.
• Hearing protection is in use, but its suitability or effectiveness is unclear.
• There have been complaints about noise, or difficulty hearing alarms or instructions.
• You are reviewing your existing risk assessment or preparing for regulatory inspection.
   

Uncontrolled noise exposure is not only a long-term health risk for workers, but also a significant business liability. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and related conditions remain among the most common occupational diseases in the UK, contributing to increased absenteeism, compensation claims and regulatory intervention. Despite this, noise risks are frequently underestimated or managed reactively, with hearing protection that is often poorly selected, inconsistently worn, or incompatible with other PPE.

High noise levels can also affect operational safety by impairing communication and reducing workers’ ability to hear alarms, signals or approaching vehicles. In some settings, overprotection may isolate individuals from important sound cues, increasing the likelihood of delayed reactions and safety incidents.

Beyond these immediate risks, noise exposure rarely occurs in isolation. Workers exposed to both noise and substances known to damage the inner ear such as solvents, heavy metals or carbon monoxide face a significantly higher risk of hearing damage. These combined exposures are often overlooked in routine risk assessments, leaving gaps in control measures that can carry serious long-term consequences.

The consequences of inaction are well-documented. Without these control measures, companies face a growing risk of enforcement action, workforce attrition, and preventable ill health among skilled employees. Long-term business stability depends on a proactive approach that reduces exposure at the source and ensures compliance is not treated as a box-ticking exercise. By identifying risks clearly and recommending proportionate, evidence-based controls, we help businesses reduce liability, safeguard productivity, and build lasting resilience into their workforce.