Guidance

ANNEX 1 Guidance On The Application Of The Control Of Noise Regulations

Published 18 September 2025

This note gives general guidance on the implementation of the Regulations. Further guidance on dealing with noise on merchant vessels is included in the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers. 

How to determine if there is a noise problem on a ship 

1. This will depend on how loud the noise is and how long people are exposed to it. As a simple guide there may be a problem if: 

• personnel have to shout to be clearly heard by someone 2 metres away;  

• a anyone’s ears are still ringing after leaving the workplace;  

• personnel use equipment which causes loud explosive noises such as cartridge-operated tools or guns;  

• personnel are exposed to high level impact noise from hammering on metal benches; chipping machines or metal endplates on the decks of Ro-Ro vessel ramps;  

• there is machinery such as diesel engines, generators etc running in a confined space such as a ship’s engine room;  

• personnel not engaged in the provision of entertainment (e.g. waiters), have to enter or remain in noisy areas such as discos, nightclubs etc on cruise ships whilst carrying out their duties. 

Examples of noise levels in different locations, with examples of typical dB(A) levels are given in Note A to this Annex. Note B to this Annex provides information on daily exposure to different sound levels and recommended maximum limits for different areas on board ship.  

Noise assessment 

2. If the risk assessment indicates that any seafarer or worker is likely to be exposed to noise exceeding the lower exposure action values in the preceding paragraph, the shipowner and employer must arrange for a competent person to assess the actual level of noise exposure. A competent person should know how to carry out a noise assessment in the particular circumstances of the workplace the ability to do the job properly and to know their limits is more important than formal qualifications. The aim of the noise assessment is to:  

• identify the seafarers and workers at risk from hearing damage (so an action plan to control noise exposure can be prepared);  

• determine the daily/weekly personal noise exposure of seafarers and workers; 

• identify additional considerations necessary for complying with the legislation, eg whether noise control measures or hearing protection are needed, and, if so, where and what type.  

The shipowner and employer should:  

• keep a record of the noise assessment;  

• regularly review the noise assessment whenever there is a change in the work being undertaken or when new equipment is introduced which may alter noise levels. It is however good practice to review the assessment every two years, as noise levels can change over time as, for example, machinery wears out or working practices change; 

• use the assessment to develop an action plan for introducing noise control measures. 

3. Where seafarers and workers are likely to be exposed to the upper exposure action value shipowners and employers must, so far as is reasonably practicable, reduce their exposure to noise in ways other than by providing hearing protection. The noise assessment should identify the sources of noise in the workplace and suggest ways of reducing noise exposure. This information should then be used to: 

• tackle the immediate risk, e.g. by providing hearing protection (NOTE - this is only a short term stop-gap measure while other controls are being investigated and developed);  

• identify which steps are reasonably practicable to reduce the noise exposure of seafarers or workers by engineering or organisational means;  

• establish priorities for action (e.g. consider where there could be immediate benefits, what changes may need to be phased in over a longer period of time and the number of people exposed to the noise in each case);  

• appoint someone on the vessel to be responsible for ensuring that action is taken, monitoring the programme and reassessing noise exposures after any changes in the workplace. 

4. There are many ways of reducing noise and noise exposure and no single technique will be appropriate for every situation. Shipowners and employers should therefore firstly think about how to remove the risk caused by noise altogether. If that is not possible, they should do all they can to control the noise at source, before considering redesigning the workplace, reorganising working patterns and taking measures to protect individual seafarer or workers. In this context shipowners and employers may wish to consider the following in the order shown: 

• Use a different, quieter process or quieter equipment, e.g.:  

• consider whether the work be done in some other quieter way; 

• consider replacing whatever is causing the noise with something that is less noisy; 

• introduce a low-noise purchasing policy for machinery and equipment. 

• Introduce engineering controls: 

• avoid metal-on-metal impacts, e.g. line chutes with abrasion resistant rubber, and reduce drop heights; 

• vibrating machine panels can be a source of noise - add material to reduce vibration (‘damping’); 

• isolate vibrating machinery or components from their surroundings, e.g. with anti-vibration mounts or flexible couplings; 

• fit silencers to air exhausts and blowing nozzles. 

• Modify the paths by which the noise travels through the air to the people exposed, e.g; 

• erect enclosures around machines to reduce the amount of noise emitted into the workplace or environment; 

• use barriers and screens to block the direct path of sound; 

• position noise sources further away from seafarers and workers. 

• Design and lay out the workplace for low noise emission, e.g; 

• segregate noisy machinery and processes from quieter areas; 

• design the workflow to keep noisy machinery out of areas where people spend most of their time. 

• Limit the time spent in noisy areas - every halving of the time spent in a noisy area will reduce noise exposure by 3 dB (A). 

Proper and regular maintenance of machinery and equipment is essential as it will deteriorate with age and can become noisier. Listen out for changes in noise levels - it may be time to replace worn or faulty parts. 

How to choose quieter equipment and machinery; 

5. Introducing a positive purchasing policy could be the single most cost effective long-term measure that a shipowner and employer can take to reduce noise at work. Choosing quieter equipment and machinery from the start can save the cost of introducing noise-reduction measures once it is installed, as well as removing or reducing the risk of litigation in respect of work induced hearing loss. Such a policy could include the following: 

• Considering at an early stage the effect that new or replacement machinery will have on the existing noise levels in the workplace - setting a target to reduce the noise levels if possible.  

• Ensuring the specification for all new machinery includes a realistic noise output level, and that tenderers and suppliers are aware of their legal duties.  

• Asking the suppliers about noise levels under all operating conditions, as well as standard test conditions. Agreeing a common format for the data so you can compare information.  

• Endeavouring to purchase only from suppliers who can demonstrate a low-noise design, with noise control as a standard part of the machine, not as a costly optional extra.  

• Documenting the decision process, to help show that the legal duties to reduce workplace noise have been met. 

Use of noise output data will only ever be a guide as many factors affect the noise levels experienced by seafarers and workers, but it will assist in the purchase of quieter machines.  

Different Methods of Hearing Protection 

6. Hearing protection should be considered only as a last resort to control noise exposure. 

It should be used either: 

• as a short-term measure until other controls to reduce the noise exposure have been introduced; or  

• where all reasonably practicable measures have been taken and a risk to hearing remains.  

The main types of hearing protection are: 

• earmuffs, which completely cover the ear - however the effectiveness of earmuffs may be reduced if the wearer is also wearing glasses; 

• earplugs, which are inserted in the ear canal; and 

• semi-inserts (also called ‘canal caps’), which cover the entrance to the ear canal.  

Ship owners and employers should use the results from their noise assessment and information from hearing protection suppliers to make the best choice of hearing protection. It must 

• reduce employees’ noise exposure to below 85 dB(A);  

• be suitable for the employees’ working environment - consider comfort and hygiene; and  

• be compatible with other protective equipment used by the employee (eg hard hats, dust mask and eye protection). 

Wherever possible, seafarers and workers should be provided with a suitable range of effective hearing protection so they can choose the one that suits them best. Some employees may prefer a particular type or, may not be able to use some types of hearing protection because of the risk of ear infections. 

Maintenance 

7. Shipowners and employers should ensure that hearing protection works effectively and check that: 

• its overall condition is still good and it is clean;  

• earmuff seals are undamaged;  

• the tension of the headbands is not reduced;  

• there are no unofficial modifications; and  

• compressible earplugs are soft, pliable and clean. 

Supervision 

8. Shipowners and employers should ensure that seafarers and workers use hearing protection when required to. In this context shipowners and employers may want to: 

• include the need to wear hearing protection in their safety policy and put someone in authority in overall charge of issuing it and making sure replacement hearing protection is readily available;  

• carry out spot checks to see that the rules are being followed and that hearing protection is being used properly. If employees persistently fail to use protectors properly you should follow your normal company disciplinary procedures; and  

• ensure that all managers and supervisors set a good example and wear hearing protection at all times when in ear protection zones.  

Information, instruction and training  

9. Where workers are likely to be exposed at or above any of the exposure limit values shipowners and employers are required to provide information, instruction and training including: 

• the likely noise exposure and the risk to hearing this noise creates;  

• where and how people can obtain hearing protectors;  

• how to report defects in hearing protectors and noise control equipment;  

• the worker’s duties under the Noise Regulations;  

• what the worker should do to minimise the risk, such as the proper way to use hearing protectors and other noise control equipment, how to look after them and store them, and where to use hearing protectors. 

Shipowners and employers should make sure that this information is given in a way the worker can understand (for example it might be necessary to make special arrangements if the employee does not understand English or has only a limited knowledge of it). 

Health effects of exposure to noise at work 

10. Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent. Temporary deafness is often experienced after leaving a noisy place. Although hearing recovers within a few hours, this should not be ignored. It is a sign that continued exposure to the noise could cause permanent damage. Permanent hearing damage can be caused immediately by sudden, extremely loud, explosive noises, e.g. from guns or cartridge-operated machines. But hearing loss is usually gradual due to prolonged exposure to noise. Tinnitus (ringing, whistling, buzzing or humming in the ears) may also occur. It should be borne in mind however that it is not just older persons who can have their hearing damaged by noise - Young persons are equally susceptible. 

Health Surveillance 

11. Under the Noise Regulations workers exposed to noise levels that are, or could be, a risk to health must be provided with appropriate health surveillance. 

The aim of health surveillance is to: 

• warn shipowners and employers when workers might be suffering from early signs of hearing damage;  

• give shipowners and employers an opportunity to take steps to reduce risk; and  

• act as a means of checking that control measures are working. 

Health surveillance usually means: 

• regular hearing checks in controlled conditions to measure the sensitivity of hearing over a range of sound frequencies;  

• informing employees about the results of their hearing checks;  

• keeping records;  

• encouraging workers to seek further advice from a doctor where hearing damage is suspected. 

12. It is good practice for shipowners and employers to arrange regular hearing checks on all workers whose daily personal noise exposure exceeds the second action level, and to encourage them to attend their appointments. Analysis of the results of the health surveillance for groups of workers with different levels of noise exposure can provide an insight into how well the hearing conservation programme is working. The results should be used to target noise reduction, education and compliance practices more accurately. Such information should also be made available to workers and safety representatives.

ANNEX 1 

NOTE A 

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL dB(A) LEVELS 

Examples of noise levels in different locations are given below in order to enable personnel to appreciate when and where a potentially harmful noise exposure may exist: 

120 dB(A) 60 metres from a jet aircraft taking off. Between 2 running 1800 rpm diesel generators 

110 dB(A) 1 metre from a riveting machine. In a small ship engine room with 900 rpm diesel main engines and 1550 rpm diesel generator 

105 dB(A) 1 metre from cylinder tops of a slow speed (120 rpm) main diesel engine 

100 dB(A) Between 2 running diesel generators (600 rpm) 

95 dB(A) In a slow speed (120 rpm) diesel main engine room at the after end on the floor plate level or in an open side flat 

90 dB(A) Noisy factory, machine shop, quieter parts of ships’ engine rooms 

80 dB(A) 15 metres from a pneumatic drill 

70 dB(A) Noisy domestic machinery (vacuum cleaner at 3 metres) 

60 dB(A) Inside large public building (e.g. supermarket) 

50 dB(A) Inside a house in a suburban area during daytime 

40 dB(A) Quiet city area outdoors at night. Library whisper at 1 metre 

25-30 dB(A) Countryside at night with no wind. Quiet church 

0 Threshold of hearing of young persons of normal hearing 

These levels are only illustrative and noise levels can vary between similar locations. This is especially true of engine rooms as engine noise can vary considerably with the type of installation. 

ANNEX 1 

NOTE B 

DAILY EXPOSURE TO DIFFERENT SOUND LEVELS 

In the circumstances that occur on board ship, where personnel move from one place to another and the length of time spent in each place may vary, they may be exposed to different levels of noise throughout the day. The following figures give a guide to the acceptable maximum daily noise doses for unprotected ears, based on dB(A) sound energy received. 

• less than          80 dB(A)                      no limit (24 hours)
• 82 dB(A)          for        16 hours
• 85 dB(A)          for        8 hours
• 90 dB(A)          for        2 hours
• 95 dB(A)          for        50 minutes
• 100 dB(A)        for        15 minutes
• 105 dB(A)        for        5 minutes
• 110 dB(A)        for        1 minute 

As an alternative illustration and equivalent to the above figures, the maximum daily noise dose for unprotected ears is halved for each increase of 3 dB(A). 

Recommended maximum limits for different areas on board ship 

The limits below should be regarded as maximum levels, rather than desirable levels, and as appropriate take account of the attenuation (noise reduction) that can be achieved with ear protectors. 

Area	Recommended Limit
Machinery spaces – general	90 dB(A)
Machinery spaces – unmanned	110 dB(A)
Machinery control rooms	75 dB(A)
Wheelhouse/bridge/chart room/radar room	65 dB(A)
Bridge wings	70 dB(A)
Radio room/communications centre	60 dB(A)
Galleys, serveries, pantries	75 dB(A)
Normally unoccupied spaces	90 dB(A)
Sleeping cabins, Day cabins, hospital	60 dB(A)
Offices, Conferences rooms etc	65 dB(A)
Mess rooms, recreation rooms recreation areas	65 dB(A)
Open deck areas	75 dB(A)
Corridors, changing rooms, bathrooms, lockers and similar spaces	80 dB(A)
Ship’s whistle	110 dB(A)