The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, which have been in force in other industry sectors since April 2006, are set to cover the music and entertainment sectors from 6 April 2008 in order to protect workers from exposure to excessive noise. The two-year transitional period was allowed to the music and entertainment sectors in recognition that music is unusual as it is noise deliberately created for enjoyment meaning practical guidelines were necessary to help workers, employers and freelancers in the music and entertainment sectors protect their hearing and safeguard their careers. This guidance, called Sound Advice, will be available from July 2008.

The sectors defined as being music and entertainment in the Regulations cover all workplaces where: a) live music is played or b) recorded music is played in a restaurant, bar, public house, discotheque or nightclub, or alongside live music or a live dramatic or dance performance. Employers in these sectors will be required to manage the risk to their employees and, where possible, freelancers, and to control, reduce and monitor exposure to noise with controls, many of which are simple and cost-effective.

The full text of the Regulations can be accessed from:

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20051643.htm

Further information is available from:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/musicsound.htm

Source: www.opsi.gov.uk and www.hse.gov.uk (accessed 05/03/08)

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