Posted By Paul Leadbetter
Yes, Philip, they do but there's not been much sign of enforcement by the EHOs.

Paul

Posted By Dave Wilson
In what respects mate, for the workers in these establishments, the punters who visit or the local population who suffer Noise nuisance?

Posted By Gilly Margrave
Several separate issues here.
The punters can chose to leave the establishment if they experience discomfort - the staff can't. Consideration needs to be given to the siting of speakers and the design of bars to protect the workers.
Most enforcement action tends to be in response to complaints from nearby residents but many bars and clubs are in city areas where there are no "residents". People staying in nearby hotels are not regarded as "residents".

Gilly

Posted By Simon Ayee
Phil

Guidance to local authority health and safety inspectors on how to enforce the Noise at Work Regulations 1989 and Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA), as they relate to noise exposure in leisure premises can be found in the HELA Local Authority Circular (LAC) 59/5 "ADVICE ON THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE NOISE AT WORK REGULATIONS 1989 IN LEISURE PREMISES (WHERE RECORDED OR AMPLIFIED MUSIC IS PLAYED)". This is an open document available on the HSE Local Authority Unit website (http://www.hse.gov.uk/lau/lacs/59-5.htm).

Control measures for employee exposure to be considered should include:
turning volume down
good design of premises (new build, refurb/refit)
staff rotation
Volume Regulatory Devices (VRDs)
Increasing acoustic absorption
Using acoustic screening
equipment maintenance
issue & use of appropiate PPE

For the public HSE’s Event Safety Guide is referred to:
the sound level in the audience area for the duration of the performance should not exceed an average of 107 dB(A)
where practicable, the audience should not be allowed within 3 metres of any speaker, for example by the use of approved safety barriers and dedicated stewards
if the sound level is likely to exceed 96 dB(A) it recommends that it is good practice to warn audiences about the risk to hearing in advance publicity, for example in programme advertising, notices at entry points or on tickets.

When discussing warning customers one club manager said to me "Good,we want to be known as the loudest club around here" ! He had not qot quite grasped the message.

Guidance for late night venues is also available from the bar entertainment & dance association (BEDA)[http://www.beda.org.uk/].

Simon