, Published 12 Oct 2018
What is a Noise Risk Assessment?
A noise risk assessment is performed to ensure the health and safety workers exposed to noise risks. An estimated 17,000 people annually in the UK suffer from hearing conditions due to excessive noise at work. Performing noise risk assessments help identify sources of noise risks and how they affect employees. Key findings from the assessment are then evaluated and used to develop preventive measures or corrective actions to protect workers from long-term adverse effects associated with noise exposure.
Noise Risk Assessment Template
A noise risk assessment template is a tool guide employers and managers use when evaluating noise hazards during site checks. You can use and customize this template to minimize accidents caused by noise risks. Easily perform a noise risk assessment with this template by following the points below:
- Record the job description and the people at risk
- Conduct a quick risk assessment derived from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
- Attach photo evidence and notes where necessary
- Create a noise profile by recording Leq dB(A) and dB(C) peak values
- Assess compliance with preventive and control measures
- Provide overall risk rating on risks identified
- Add comments or recommendations
- Sign off with a digital signature
In this article
- What to Include in a Noise Risk Assessment Template?
- 4-Step Guide to Effectively Perform a Noise Risk Assessment
- FAQs About Noise Risk Assessment
- How to Conduct a Noise Risk Assessment with SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor)
- Download Free & Customizable Noise Risk Assessment Templates
What to Include in a Noise Risk Assessment Template?
A basic noise risk assessment includes regular checking and details of the following aspects:
- Job description (e.g., core drilling)
- Specific people/personnel at risk
- Risk assessment
- Details about the noise (record leq, peak value)
- Control measure
- Overall risk assessment
- Recommendations
- Name and signature of inspector
4-Step Guide to Effectively Perform a Noise Risk Assessment
- Identify – Do a site check and observe where there may be a risk of noise exposure. Determine a reliable estimate of employee exposures, actions to perform in order to comply with the law (i.e., noise-control measures/protection), and employees who need health surveillance.
- Evaluate – Evaluate and provide an overall risk rating for each risk identified during a site check. Assess if current preventive and control measures are being followed or complied with.
- Implement control measures – After recording findings, create an action plan for items or areas identified as non-compliant or needing corrective actions to comply with the law. Set an action, assign a responsible person to do the work, and set a due date.
- Monitor – Conduct a regular review to monitor if set controls for noise risks are consistently implemented. Monitor the workplace and conduct regular noise risk assessments to easily identify early signs of adverse effects that may be caused by occupational noise exposure.
FAQs About Noise Risk Assessment
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) establishes a permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 90 decibels for all workers over an 8-hour shift. The OSHA standard also mandates that employers implement a hearing conservation program if the average noise level reaches 85 decibels over an 8-hour workday.
Long-term exposure to high levels of noise can cause permanent hearing damage, making it crucial to take preventive measures through regular assessments. Additionally, the harmful effects of excessive noise are not always noticeable, so it is easier to identify and control them through surveys and assessments.
As recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if complete avoidance of loud noises is not possible, the use of hearing protection devices such as earplugs, ear canal caps, and safety earmuffs is the best way to protect hearing and avoid long-term damage.
How to Conduct a Noise Risk Assessment with SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor)
Use SafetyCulture, a leading inspection app to complete your noise risk assessments while on-site and deliver your report and key findings immediately. SafetyCulture can be used offline anytime and can generate comprehensive PDF reports.
We feature pre-built noise risk assessment templates you can download and start using for your next on-site assessment.
Download Free & Customizable Noise Risk Assessment Templates
Comprehensive Noise Risk Assessment Template
This comprehensive noise risk assessment template consists of 3 main parts: (A) Survey parameters, (B) Noise Survey and Exposure, and (C) Control Measures. The first section prompts the inspector to record the reason and date and time of survey, people involved and equipment used for the inspection. The next section creates a list of the noise-producing machines and equipment, their noise levels and the duration of noise exposure to workers. The last section, which is the most important part, contains essential questions to assess if control measures are followed and observed in the working environment. Complete the audit by providing recommendations and affixing a signature to validate.
Noise Risk Assessment Template for Entertainment Venue
This entertainment venue noise risk assessment template can be used by safety managers or authorized personnel before conducting events. Workers from the entertainment industry (bar,waiting and kitchen staff, performers, DJs, technical and security staff) are exposed to high noise levels due to the nature of their work. Make it a habit to perform these assessments regularly to improve health and safety or workers.
SafetyCulture Content Specialist
Jona Tarlengco
