It is estimated that more than 1/3 of European workers are exposed to potentially dangerous noise levels for at least a quarter of their working time.
And what are the consequences?
In the short term, exposure to excessive noise can cause temporary hearing loss, which can last a few seconds or a few days.
Prolonged exposure to noise can cause permanent hearing loss. Noise can cause accidents at work, as it makes it difficult for instructional workers to hear and overlaps with the sound of approaching danger or warning signals.
This article will answer the following questions:
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What does the legislation say about noise in the workplace?
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How, when and who carries out noise assessments in the workplace?
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What are companies’ obligations when it comes to noise in the workplace?
What does the legislation say about noise in the workplace?
Decree-Law 182/2006 of September 6th establishes the exposure limit value and the upper and lower exposure action values and determines a set of measures to be applied whenever these values are reached or exceeded.
It applies to all activities in the private, cooperative and social sectors, the central, regional and local public administration, public institutes and other legal persons governed by public law, as well as to self-employed workers.
According to the law, the exposure limit values and the upper and lower action values, with regard to a worker’s daily or weekly personal exposure and the peak sound pressure level, are set at:
a) Exposure limit values: L(EX index,8h) = (see original document) = 87 dB (A) and L(Cpeak index) = 140 dB (C) equivalent to 200 Pa;
b) Higher action values: L(EX,8h index) = (see original document) = 85 dB (A) and L(Cpeak index) = 137 dB (C) equivalent to 140 Pa;
c) Lower action values: L(EX,8h index) = (see original document) = 80 dB(A) and L(Cpeak index) = 135 dB(C) equivalent to 112 Pa.
How, when and who carries out noise assessments in the workplace?
The employer must assess exposure to noise in the workplace by requesting a noise assessment study whenever one of these situations occurs:
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Annually, whenever the Upper Action Value is equaled or exceeded;
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When requested by a competent authority;
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After replacing work equipment or machinery ;
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After remodeling facilities or changing the layout of workspaces;
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After changing processes / working methods;
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After implementing measures to prevent and protect workers;
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In the context of reasoned employee communication.
SEPRI Lab specializes in carrying out occupational noise exposure studies by measuring the amount and intensity of noise in workplaces, liaising directly with SEPRI MT to assess the risk of noise exposure and present corrective and preventive actions to improve safety conditions and the working environment.
What are the companies’ obligations?
1. Risk assessment: in occupational activities likely to present a risk of exposure to noise, the employer must assess and measure the noise levels to which workers are exposed.
The risk assessment must be carried out at least once a year, whenever the upper action levels (LEX,8h = 85 dB(A) and LCpico = 137 dB(C)) are reached or exceeded.
It must also be updated whenever significant changes are made to production processes, such as the installation of new equipment, changes to the layout or the creation of new jobs.
In addition to being carried out by accredited bodies, noise levels can also be measured by occupational hygiene and safety technicians with a valid certificate of professional competence and specific training in instrumentation and methodologies for measuring and assessing exposure to occupational noise.
2. Reducing exposure: The employer must use all available means to eliminate or reduce the risks associated with noise in the workplace.
This could include organizing workplaces in an appropriate manner and providing information and training to workers, with the aim of ensuring the correct and safe use of work equipment, among other actions and measures to be determined by the health and safety technician.
3. Individual protection: The employer must guarantee the availability of individual hearing protection equipment whenever one of the lower action values is exceeded, and ensure its effective use whenever the level of exposure to noise reaches or exceeds the upper action values.
Employers must also provide information, training and consultation to workers exposed to noise levels equal to or above the lower action values.
In addition to general occupational health obligations, the employer must ensure adequate medical surveillance of workers exposed to noise.
Contact us: seprilab@sepri.pt / 253 271 525
