We are planning to undertake noise assessment at work, and i'm trying to consider the cost- benefit and economic argument to buying noise monitoring equipment and having a staff member trained to undertake noise assessments internally as opposed to hiring an Occ Hygiene consultant and paying them to do it. Any thoughts about the issues surrounding this question gratefully accepted.

Noise training is min 4 days and good equipment to buy about £3000 and calibrated each year proberly worth getting a consultant in over one to three days. You could hire a noise meter to see where the issues may be first but this only gives you a ruff guide

A noise assessment should be conducted by a competent person as outlined with the NSW Work Health and Safety Regulations. A suitable person generally will have a science or engineering background with a fundamental understanding of the physic of sound and how sound waves act in building and on people.

It sould still be conducted by a competent person regardless of the country...a monkey can switch on a noise meter but to understand why and correct interpretation of teh resukat and guving advice takes just a competent person...

Ideally the noise assessment should be first initiated during the design stage of a new facility or before purchasing new equipment to understand and protect the workers from loud noise. The noise checks should be conducted prior to first undertaking work experience. If the noise within an area appear to be loud in say an existing factory, warehouse, and then a noise assessment should also be carried out. An assessment on noise from plant and equipment should be also be undertaken.

I suggested that if it was basic sound measurements a person with a bit of nous could carry out the task without any bother. There is plenty of good advice and support on the HSE website and via Mr Google. 

 Ye Gods, if I never did anything without the associated training I would not have done half the things I did in my career!

OP- what has prompted this? You must have some gut instinct already. You say you are planning on doing noise assessment, does that mean you have the backing of the management?

If in doubt, as RayRapp says, I can see no reason why you could not do your research, purchase/borrow the most basic of monitoring equipment and use the HSE advice available just to ascertain if any of the areas of concern are anywhere near the safe limits. If you are well below I would argue it was not reasonably practicable to spend thousands on further investigation. If you come somewhere close then I would argue it was reasonably practicable to take further action.

If, as George says, you believe you almost certainly have a problem and you have implemented all the cheap and common sense controls/changed ways of working and still are not happy and it's about proving you are or are not exceeding harmful levels to prove to a disbelieving management or IP, it is probably cheaper to get an expert opinion.

It's all about a proportionate response for me, and we don't know all the details to pass comment.