§ Mr. Leightonasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will take steps to establish a noise and hearing protection consultancy service of the Health and Safety Executive to investigate complaints and make recommendations about excessive noise in places of work, and to issue codes and standards of best practice in this regard;
(2) if he will seek to enable factory inspectors to issue noise prevention orders in respect of relevant processes or equipment which an employer cannot or will not adapt to reduce the level of noise to less than 90 decibels; and if he will introduce legislation to make failure to comply with such an order an offence, and to determine penalties for such an offence;
(3) if he will introduce legislation to require employers to ensure that no worker may be exposed to a level of noise at or exceeding 90 decibels, and to provide noise meters; and if he will arrange for the level of noise in places of work to be subject to inspection and report by factory inspectors.
§ Mr. WaddingtonInspectors of the Health and Safety Executive already concern themselves with excessive noise in places of work; in particular, they investigate complaints, make recommendations and where necessary take enforcement action under the general provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
The Health and Safety Commission is preparing proposals for regulations and a supporting code of practice about the protection of hearing at work. To this end, it published in August 1981 a consultative document "Protection of Hearing at Work" outlining such proposals together with a background document "Some aspects of noise and hearing loss" and has invited comments by 30 April 1982. The commission will then review the proposals in the light of comments received with a view to further consultation and eventual submission to me. I have asked the chairman of the commission to ensure that the points raised by the hon. Member are taken into account.