Page 26 - BOSS Today Issue 42

BOSS Today #42 DOWN TO BUSINESS – ENVIRONMENT

PUTTING

A LID ON IT

any businesses in our industry are requirements of current legislation have measuring company, which will prepare a
Mlocated in designated industrial been breached. If a case is proven, a report and give recommendations on how
estates and business parks, and some of legal notice requiring the noise to stop or to reduce noise.
these premises now butt up against new be reduced will be issued. If abatement The main causes of environmental noise
residential developments. Other firms notices are not complied with, legal action and vibration from site activities may also
are located in towns, where they are also may be taken through the courts. include infrequent sources such as:
close to residential areas. Section 86 allows local authorities
If a neighbour makes a complaint to delay issuing an abatement notice n Waste bin collections
about noise to the local council it will covering noise nuisance for a period up to n Forklift truck operations
come under the requirements of the seven days to encourage alternative steps n Reversing vehicle warning horns
Environmental Protection Act 1990. When to be made to abate the nuisance prior to n Waste extraction into a compactor
conducting an investigation to ascertain any formal action being taken. n Lack of a staff culture policy to avoid or
if a statutory noise nuisance exists, Noise abatement notices include reduce unnecessary noise
the local council will take into account specific requirements, which can include n External doors and windows being left
how often and at what time of day the no operating outside certain hours, open during late and night shifts
nuisance occurs, as well as its volume and keeping warehouse doors or windows
character. shut, and no playing radios at night. If you have any questions about noise, please
The statutory noise nuisance section Councils tend to look for an agreed contact your regional HS&E Adviser. Your adviser
79(1).g of the Act covers noise emitted rating level of 40 decibels at fence line, is also the first point of call if you require a
from premises so as to be prejudicial to but for a business that operates 24/7, professional noise measuring service provider to
health or deemed as a nuisance (noise more stringent noise rating levels would undertake any measurements and provide reports
can be linked to mental health issues by be set at 35 decibels to protect nearby and support.
interfering with sleep patterns etc). residents.
A council’s noise monitoring protocol Quiet hours are classed as the period
would involve visits to the area by between 6pm and 6am.
authorised council officers utilising When planning to install machinery,
environmental noise recording it is advised to acquire a report from
equipment. Sometimes this can be the machinery suppliers to identify
installed at the complainant’s property. noise levels. The building must also
Enforcement action is only formally be sufficiently robust to contain the
taken by the council when it is satisfied noise levels. These levels can only be
that a statutory nuisance exists and the ascertained by a professional noise

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