Your business could create noise in many ways. Sources of noise include machinery, vehicles and loud music.
Your activities could also create vibration. The definition of noise nuisance includes vibration, and noise and vibration are often controlled at the same time.
If noise from your work is found to be causing a nuisance to the surrounding community, your local council can limit or even stop you from working. They can restrict:
- the type of machinery you use
- your working hours
- noise levels emitted from your premises.
Failure to address a noise problem could result in legal action and a fine.
What you must do
You must comply with any noise conditions set out in the planning approval for your site.
Loud noise can cause irreversible hearing damage. You have a duty to protect the hearing of your employees.
Health and Safety Executive: Noise
Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland
Good practice
Identify areas where noise may cause a nuisance and locate noisy activities away from these areas. Position noisy equipment away from your site boundary. Existing buildings can be used to shield the noise source.
Make sure your buildings have adequate soundproofing. Shutting your doors and windows will also reduce noise.
Use solid panelled fencing around your site instead of wire fences; this can help to screen the source and reduce the level of noise that is leaving the site.
Stand outside the boundary of the site and listen for noise that neighbours may consider to be irritating. If you can hear noise, so can they – you will need to be honest with yourself.
Reduce noise from your equipment and vehicles
Service your vehicles and machinery regularly. Well maintained equipment will make less noise and is also less likely to break down.
Fit noise-reducing devices, such as silencers and baffles, to your machinery.
When you replace equipment, consider purchasing quieter alternatives. New equipment can introduce a noise problem when one did not exist previously. You should carry out a noise assessment when you install a new piece of equipment.
Use mains generated electricity instead of diesel generators.
Minimise the use of vehicle reversing alarms. For example, set up a one-way driving system on your site. Consider fitting a broadband reversing alarm, as this can reduce the level of noise that is generated on site.
Reduce noise from your vehicles by:
- turning off engines when they are not in use
- checking the brakes are properly adjusted and don’t squeal
- not revving the engine unnecessarily
- only using the horn in emergencies
- replacing exhaust systems as soon as they become noisy
- replacing vehicles with electric or gas powered alternatives.
Limit noisy activities to daylight hours
Noise is more likely to be a nuisance at night. In noise sensitive locations:
- restrict deliveries to daytime working hours
- schedule noisy operations for the daytime
- switch off unnecessary radios and tannoys.
If you operate a night shift, move materials into the work area during the day or early evening. This will reduce the risk of complaints from the local community, for example, about reversing alarms.
Reduce complaints
It is in your best interests to maintain good relations with your neighbours. Give neighbours early warning of any particularly noisy activities you plan to carry out.
Notify your local Environmental Health Department or environmental regulator office of any event that is likely to generate high levels of noise that may cause complaints.
Display details of a contact person for your site. Local residents can then contact you with any concerns. You can then quickly address them.
Encourage your local Environmental Health Officer and environmental regulator to let you know about any concerns or complaints. You may be able to deal with these complaints before formal action is taken.
If you receive a complaint make sure you:
- keep a record of it
- deal with it promptly and appropriately, and tell the complainer what you have done
- record the results of investigations and any resulting actions
- use the information to improve your procedures and prevent further complaints.
Contact your environmental regulator
Monitor noise levels
You should regularly monitor the noise from your site, when it is fully working and also when it is shut down. This will give you an idea of the impact of your work on the surrounding community. Monitoring will also help you identify any change in the noise level from your business.
In all cases, if you are in any doubt, you should get advice from a noise expert.
Cross contamination
Minimise cross-contamination of materials. For example, if you accidentally put plastics or paper into eddy current separators, which separate aluminium and steel magnetically, you can clog and block the machinery, increase noise and vibration and cause expensive damage.
Further information
Noise, odour and other nuisances
Defra: Noise
SEPA: Noise - summary guidance for PPC applicants (Scotland) (Adobe PDF - 71KB)
Business Link: Dealing with noise and noise pollution
Communities and Local Government: Planning Policy Guidance 24 - Planning and Noise
Scottish Government: Planning Advice Note 56 - Planning and Noise
You may find the following British Standards useful:
- British Standard BS4142 - Method for rating industrial noise affecting mixed residential and industrial areas
- British Standard BS5228 - Noise and vibration control on construction and open sites
- British Standard BS6472 - Guide to evaluation of human exposure to vibration in buildings
- British Standard BS7385 - Evaluation and measurement for vibration in buildings
These are available from British Standards Online. You can buy copies of the full standards or view summaries by registering on their website.
British Standards Online
