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date: 20 October 2005

embargo: 00:01 hrs Monday 24 October

24 hour opening means workers at greater risk of hearing loss warns TUC and RNID

RNID and the TUC are today (Monday) warning that changes in the Licensing Act, allowing 24 hour opening, will lead to an increased likelihood of workers in bars, clubs and pubs being exposed to dangerously loud noise for longer. They fear extended opening hours will mean the 568,000 people already working in this growing industry will be subjected to music so loud they could lose or permanently damage their hearing.

Noise at Work is the theme of this year's European Week for Safety and Health at Work (24-30 October 2005). Noise is one of the most underestimated workplace risks and RNID, the largest charity representing the 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK, and the TUC are urging employers to do more to protect workers' hearing. Excessive noise in the workplace has caused half a million people in Great Britain to suffer deafness or other ear conditions (1) . In some bar and club venues, workers' hearing is being damaged by music as loud as an aircraft taking off (110dB(A)).

Brian Lamb, Director of Communications at RNID, says: 'Noise at work issues are usually associated with industries such as manufacturing and construction. However, with more licensed premises opening longer and playing loud, amplified music, staff working in bars, clubs and pubs might not realise their hearing is being put at such high risk.

'Prolonged exposure to loud noise can cause permanent hearing loss. Since noise induced hearing loss is often cumulative and not immediately obvious, its threat is seldom recognised or taken seriously. However, whilst its effects are irreversible, noise induced hearing loss is totally preventable through the implementation of noise reduction strategies and provision of ear protection for employees.'

Hugh Robertson , Senior TUC Health and Safety Officer, says: 'If bar and club owners don't protect their staff from ear splitting noise they will end up in court. In just over two years the leisure industry will be covered by new legislation, which reduces further, noise levels in music venues. How are they going to meet the legal requirements when they cannot even comply with the current regulations? The industry must get its act together quickly before it is hit with a huge wave of compensation claims and enforcement action.'

In a joint report titled: 'Noise Overload,' published in December 2004, RNID and the TUC highlighted that local authorities were failing to enforce Noise at Work regulations under which employers have a legal duty to protect their employees' hearing. Nearly a year on, there has been little or no improvement in the enforcement of Noise at Work regulations in bars, clubs and pubs. RNID and TUC are urging local authorities and HELA (the HSE and local authority enforcement committee), to carry out noise assessments and enforce Noise at Work regulations in bars, clubs and pubs in their areas.

Blackpool Borough Council (BC) is one of the few local authorities in England that has been enforcing Noise at Work regulations in its bars, clubs and pubs. Cllr F Jackson, Portfolio Holder for Health & Safety Enforcement at Blackpool BC says: 'There is no reason why other local authorities should not be enforcing the Noise at Work regulations. Blackpool is the UK's most popular holiday resort and home of what is understood to be the UK's biggest nightclub. We are enforcing Noise at Work regulations with full co-operation from club and bar managers.

Cllr Jackson continues: 'I also believe HELA`s failure to include the issue of noise in its strategy has had a direct impact on its lack of priority for Local Authorities.'

With tighter Control of Noise at Work Regulations coming into force in April 2006 and 2008 for the leisure industry, changes have to be made. Hearing protection for bar, club and pub workers subjected to music played well above the safe and legal level is vitally important.

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For further information please contact:

Anna Hollis, RNID Media Relations Officer, on Tel/text 020 7296 8229 or email anna.hollis@rnid.org.uk For out of hours, please Tel 07944 038 635

Ben Hurley, TUC Media and Campaigns Officer, on Tel 020 7467 1248 or email BHurley@TUC.ORG.UK For out of hours, please Tel 07881 622 416

Notes to editors:

(1) MRC survey 1997/98

The new licensing Act, allowing extended drinking hours, comes into force on 24^th November 2005.

Under the new noise at work regulations the noise levels at which workers will be required to have hearing protection available, and the level at which they will be required to wear hearing protection have been reduced by 5dB(A) to 80dB(A) and 85dB(A) respectively with a limit value of 87db(A).

If the first action level is reached, an employer must carry out a noise assessment, display a poster about noise at work and make available ear protection for staff.

Recent RNID research shows that many people working in Britain's bars, clubs and pubs are being exposed to dangerously loud music at work, with noise levels as high as 110dB(A)

Alongside noise levels, how long and how often people are exposed to noise contributes to hearing damage.

Britain's pubs, bars and nightclubs employ 568,000 people, up by 153,000 from 1992, as bar staff glass collectors, security staff and DJs. There are 1750 nightclubs in the UK.

Employers have a legal duty under the UK Noise at Work Regulations 1989 to take action to protect employees' hearing if they are exposed to noise above 85 dB(A) on a daily basis and can be prosecuted if they break this law. There is little evidence of these protections being enforced in pubs, clubs and bars.

RNID and TUC are calling on employers to: implement noise removal and limitation measures through acoustics and the design and layout of venues, inform workers about the dangers of exposure to noise, provide workers with suitable and effective hearing protection and regular breaks away from loud music and provide regular free hearing tests to employees

On 6^th April 2006 UK employers will be subject to a European Directive that tightens employees' protection from noise by lowering the workplace noise levels at which employers must take action. However, the leisure industry has won a two-year derogation and will not have to implement the requirements until 2008.

RNID and TUC are calling on local authorities and the Health and Safety Executive to ensure mechanisms are in place to ensure the current noise at work regulations are enforced and to ensure the leisure industry is prepared for the new EU regulations.

RNID are speaking at a number of events on Noise at Work, up and down the country. For further information please contact Mark Hoda, RNID European Campaigns Officer on Tel 020 7296 8295 or email mark.hoda@rnid.org.uk

RNID Information Line: Telephone: 0808 808 0123, Textphone: 0808 808 9000, Email: informationline@rnid.org.uk

Contacts:

Media enquiries: Ben Hurley T: 020 7467 1248; M: 07881 622416 ; E: bhurley@tuc.org.uk

Press release (1,200 words) issued 24 Oct 2005