Implementation in great britain of directive 2003/10/EC

Directive 2003/10/EC of the European Parliament etc., on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (noise), has been implemented in Great Britain as the "Control of noise at work regulations 2005", Statutory Instrument SI 2005/1643. This paper describes the content of those regulations and the associated guidance materials. Particular attention was paid to providing guidance materials which would direct the employer to manage risks from noise by adopting industry standard and good practice noise control measures. The guidance sets out a pragmatic approach to risk assessment, encouraging the employer to avoid unnecessary quantification of noise exposure. The particular challenge of implementing the exposure limit values of the directive in to regulation are described, as is the approach adopted with respect to health surveillance for noise induced hearing damage. The part which the regulations are expected to play in the eradication of hearing damage from occupational causes in Great Britain is outlined.