Posted By Paul Leadbetter
Ian

It depends on the capabilities of the sound level meter; can you post some details?

Paul

Posted By Michael Mcgann
Hi Ian,

I would suggest you contact Peter Clarke of Proscon who have the rights to sell Larson Davies Meters, by far the best on the market. I use thier Whole Body Vibration Meter and their after sales is excellent. The contact details are 01738553011. Renting the equipment may also be an option.

Posted By lewes
I dont want this to sound like a typical H&S answer.

But have you actually been trained in the correct use of noise measuring devices?? The only reason ask is that im currently looking at a Noise Assessment course and its not plain sailing in respect of just walking in and taking a reading.

AFAIK You have to take into account local environment,building make-up, localised machinery etc etc

Posted By Ian Clay1
I am looking at the Castle course myself. I have undertaken the vibration competent persons course their and it was excellent.

Posted By DaveTripp
Having read through the new regs and the consultation document (this is very informative) persons holding a NEBOSH, IOSH etc cert, is deemed competent to carry out an assessment, however, it can be very complicated to do in say a factory environment where there are multiple noise sources, remember the old phrase 'as far as is reasonably practicable' this still applies to the new regs, you would be better off going on a suppliers training course as they will train you on the equipment you will be buying, they do look complicated and can be expensive but once they are set up it is easy to use, if you contact me I will send you details for Casella CEL who are carrying out seminars on the new regs and the practical use of equipment.

Posted By Paul Leadbetter
Ian

Page 49 gives general guidance on competence.

Paul

Posted By Adrian Watson
Dear Dave,

Where in the consultative document does it say that someone with a NEBOSH qualification is competent? The information that the document provides on pages 49 and 68 is sparse to say the least. I also find it incredible that HSE has failed to point employers towards sources of competent advice.

Paragraph 185 makes an important point. It states "Whether carrying out the work yourself, appointing other people, or a combination of the two, you need to make sure that the assessment and management of noise risks is carried out in a competent manner based on competent advice. This means making sure that all people involved in the process have the necessary training and experience to carry out their part of the work. The ability to understand and apply this guidance may be more important than formal qualifications. But there are some areas (such as noise-control engineering) where the person providing the advice would be expected to have formal qualifications."

Please note that whilst acknowledging that attending a relevant course is important, the HSE are flagging up the need for experience. I suggest you get an experienced occupational hygienist or acoustician in to do the first couple of surveys and accompany them to get the practical experience needed to work on your own. Over the years I have seen hundreds of inadequate surveys, many of them by safety practitioners who have attended short courses and thereby become "competent". If you need help in locating competent advice contact the following organizations’ and ask them for their consultants directories:

BOHS http://www.bohs.org/ or
Institute of acoustics http://www.ioa.org.uk/

Regards Adrian Watson CEHP CFIOSH FFOH

Posted By Crim
Thanks to this website I am now well on the way to organising my Noise at Work assessment and procedures.

Thanks Adrian

Posted By Dave Wilson
Can you speak within 1m of the noise source and be easily heard - suggest no noise problem!

You can buy a very cheap industrial noise meter which would give you indicative Noise levels, if you are getting close to the new limits may need the help of an acoustics expert, not cheap.