The symptoms of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) can start with sounds becoming distorted or muffled – this worsens so gradually that the individual may not be aware of the deterioration until it has a significant impact on their day-to-day life.
Noise affects many businesses in different ways. It’s not only their own activities, but neighbours or a unique feature of the location (e.g. crowds and traffic on a high street, or planes taking off near an airport).
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations places a duty on employers (and the self-employed) to prevent or reduce to a minimum, the risks to the health and safety of workers and others to noise (or themselves) as a consequence of exposure at work.