Posted By Bob Youel What are others doing re the 'wearing of hearing protection when working on the public highway re small/short term works with the general public present & the employers 'control' is not as it can be in a factory etc'- noting that wearing such protection can increase risk [note reg 11] NB: Already taken ambiant noise readings and many roads [under certain conditions] are above the minimum thresholds re the CNAW 2005

Posted By Paul Leadbetter Bob You do not say whether you have taken spot noise readings or have measured a time-weighted average. If the former, have you calculated noise exposures from the readings and the likely exposure time? Does the noise exposure exceed 80dB(A) over 8 hours? Can you average noise exposure over a working week? Paul

Posted By Robert K Lewis Bob If you are above the upper action limit you have no option but to provide the hearing protection whatever the other issues. This does mean however that you will have to modify the work methods to ensure that the loss of audio acuity does not increase other risks. Without such actions the HSE will see you as a soft target whenever they visit a site. I personally think the chapter 8 signing and guarding recommendations for short duration work will have to be modified, albeit outside the manual, I just hope clients will understand the increased timings and costs for the work!!! Bob