MEPs demand reduction in workplace noise levels

A crackdown on noise levels at work was agreed by Euro-MPs today - with a five-year exemption for the entertainment and leisure industries while a survey is conducted into the dangers of exposure to loud music.

Subject to approval from EU governments, maximum noise exposure without protection for workers will drop from 90 decibels to 87 decibels - in effect a 50% cut in the volume above which employers must provide safeguards such as ear plugs.

The EU Directive on ‘‘minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (noise)’’, is designed to reduce the noise levels at which workers in noisy environments - factories, airports and so on - already have to wear ear protection.

But it also technically applies to workers in the entertainment and leisure sectors - principally musicians themselves and those working in pubs, clubs, karaoke bars and the orchestra pits and concert halls.

For the time being the new rules should not apply to them, MEPs decided, although efforts to impose volume controls at noisy music venues and even sporting events could resurface once the new survey has been completed.

Labour MEP Stephen Hughes welcomed today’s vote as a major benefit for thousands of workers.

‘‘Industrial deafness is a big problem and it is estimated that just by reducing the permitted level from 90 decibels to 87 decibels, 40,000 cases of industrial deafness will be prevented and financial losses due to time off work and in paying for health care to tackle deafness will fall by £60 billion a year in the 15 EU member states.’’

To ease the problems for industry of complying with the new limit, MEPs voted to assess the maximum decibel level at work on the basis of an average volume spread across a week.

This, they say, gives a more realistic assessment of workers’ exposure to noise than the simple maximum decibel limit which the Commission originally said could not be exceeded, even for a matter of moments.

Experts say a few people can be exposed continuously for 40 years above 90 decibels and suffer no health effects, but about 8% of people exposed continuously to 85 decibels over 40 years will suffer moderate hearing disability.

Extremely loud noise (130-140 decibels) can cause pain and possibly immediate damage. But one-off or short-term overexposures below that level will not result in permanent hearing loss.

Today’s decision now goes to EU environment ministers for consideration and no final agreement on the Directive is expected for months.