Rank: Super forum user 
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Hi all.
The HSE guidance for risk assessments for new and expectant mothers lists noise as a hazard to consider.
Does anyone have or know of any information on the risk of exposure to noise for an expectant mother. A web search has not proven helpful.
Wikipedia states hearing damage can occur to the foetus early in pregnancy and exposure later can lead to premature and under weight babies. As we all know this is not the most reliable of sources.
Are there guidelines on levels at which exposure should be eliminated, reduced?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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In a rather old copy of 'New and Expectant Mothers at Work' it states that prolonged exposure to loud noise may lead to increased blood pressure and tiredness. It suggests that adherence to the requirements of the Noise at Work regs (1989) should be sufficient.
Note that the Noise at Work regs have since been revised (I did say it was an old set of guidance!)
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Rank: Forum user 
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teh_boy wrote:Hi all.
The HSE guidance for risk assessments for new and expectant mothers lists noise as a hazard to consider.
Are there guidelines on levels at which exposure should be eliminated, reduced?
Ask them! The HSE are publically funded and should be expected to provide information when asked. When this plugs the gap in incomplete HSE guideance they should be particularly pleased to hear from you since your follow-up queston allows them to identify the gap, and then improve and update their guidance.
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Rank: Forum user
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teh_boy wrote:Hi all.
The HSE guidance for risk assessments for new and expectant mothers lists noise as a hazard to consider.
Does anyone have or know of any information on the risk of exposure to noise for an expectant mother. A web search has not proven helpful.
Wikipedia states hearing damage can occur to the foetus early in pregnancy and exposure later can lead to premature and under weight babies. As we all know this is not the most reliable of sources.
Are there guidelines on levels at which exposure should be eliminated, reduced?
It can be noise associated with vibration thats the issue ie low frequency noise
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Rank: Super forum user
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The HSE guidance covers both noise and vibration. The document is HSG122 and the most recent edition I can find is 2nd edition 2002.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Rank: Super forum user
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Fantastic thanks Jane - I have an old version of that document that doens't include the table! I should've checked.
Quote:
"There appears to be no specific risk to new or expectant mothers, but prolonged exposure to loud noise may
lead to increased blood pressure and tiredness. No particular problems for women who have recently given birth or who are breastfeeding."
Controls - "You must ensure that workers who are pregnant, who have recently given birth or who are breastfeeding are not exposed to noise levels exceeding national exposure limit values."
Exposure limit value being 87dB day/week. Would this account for hearing protection as in the regualtions?
At least I have an answer!
Thanks agina
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Rank: Super forum user
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teh_boy
I assume you work in a hazardous industry, given your group affiliations. I cannot provide a citation but there is some evidence that exposure to solvents (such as toluene) at the same time as excessive noise exposure increases the risk of damage to the baby. Is this pertinent to your situation?
LB
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Rank: Super forum user
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The COSHH aspects have been considered and controlled, but thanks for heads up.
The main concern was where the line was drawn for exposure to noise - one of our main hazards. I know have an answer of sorts :)
thanks all!
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