To date, the Control of Noise at Work Regulations (2005) have not applied to the Music and Entertainment Sectors. Since the introduction of the Noise Regulations, the European Directive (2003/10/EC) has permitted a 2-year period of consultation for this sector, primarily to allow time to adjust to the various employer's obligations relating to minimising the exposure of their staff to excessive noise in the workplace. This could be considered quite difficult in an industry that often sells itself on noise-related entertainment.

The HSE define the music and entertainment sectors as "all workplaces where a) live music is played or b) recorded music is played in a restaurant, bar, public house, discotheque or nightclub, or alongside live music or a live dramatic or dance performance"

The Noise Regulations (2005) will be applied to the Music and Entertainment Sectors, commencing in April 2008. While it well recognised that events such as music concerts and nightclubs provide sources of noise as an often 'paid-for' service, venue employers will soon have a formal obligation to help workers minimise their exposure to excessive noise at work and to provide practical (but often simple guidelines) to safeguard their long-term hearing. The public who attend such entertainment events are not protected by the Noise Regulations (2005) and must therefore continue to safeguard there own hearing should they choose to. Further details of the Workplace Noise Regulations can be found by visiting the www.hse.gov.uk/noise

If you require advice as to whether your workplace or properties are likely to be covered by the Noise Regulations please click here to get in touch with us or email info@hbi.ie. Healthy Buildings International offer full Workplace Noise Assessments and Personal Noise Dosage Monitoring services.