The new Control of Noise at Work regulations have recently come into force, reducing the acceptable levels of noise to which employees can be exposed.

The new Act, which came into force in April 2006, lowers the level to 80 decibels. The level was previously treated as being 90 decibels until 1990, when the level was reduced by legislation to 85 decibels. The new Act further continues the trend to lower the maximum levels of noise to which employees can be exposed.

Employers must either ensure that their staff are exposed to noise levels of less than 80 decibels, or if this is not possible, provide hearing protection to protect their employees hearing. Those that do not comply with these new regulations risk facing claims for compensation from staff suffering from hearing loss caused by noise damage.

Noise damage is a serious issue for industry. Once a person's hearing is damaged by noise, nothing can be done to recover that loss. As a person ages, their hearing deteriorates as a result, and it can be several years after the noise exposure before a person realises their hearing has been affected. Hearing loss can come on very gradually, and as a result its cause is not always obvious. Suffers of noise induced hearing loss can also suffer from Tinnitus, a troublesome condition where the sufferer can hear noises described as ringing, buzzing or whistling withouit any external source.

Claims for noise induced hearing loss have in the past been common with employees working in heavy industry such as mining and construction. However, particularly given the new regulations, staff working in bars and nightclubs are thought to be at risk and with possible cvlaims open to them.