I am in the process of completing an up to date noise survey and while re-reading the Control of Noise at Work Regulations I noticed that Regualtion 4 for the exposure action value it actually states that for each level both the average exposure AND peak sound pressure must be reached.

For example "Lower exposure level 80dB AND a peak sound pressure of 135dB" therefore, if I am interpreting correctly an average exposure of 80dB with a peak sound pressure of 134dB would not be at the action level.

Am I misinterpreting this in some way, either way we will stick to the simple equation of when an exposure level alone is reached we act as required by supplying and, where apporpriate, enforcing hearing protection.

I am curious to what the experts in this field would say?

In any regulation where an AND  statement is made all conditions must be met. Surely the regulations should have an OR statement?

Edited by user 19 July 2018 11:58:13(UTC)  | Reason: Spelling error

The relevent bit is here as said above Reg 2 - Interpretation:-

“lower exposure action value” means the lower of the two levels of daily or weekly personal noise exposure or of peak sound pressure set out in regulation 4 which, if reached or exceeded, require specified action to be taken to reduce risk;