A SOUND EAR II - Association of British Orchestras

A SOUND EAR II
You should have a written noise policy, which may form part of your safety policy, or become the core of a safety
policy. See http://www.hse.gov.uk/smallbusinesses/must/policy.htm
The noise policy should spell out:
• specific noise responsibilities, from the managing director downwards;
• how you manage noise assessments;
• how you manage noise control;
• how the noise group relates to your safety committee or other consultation arrangements.
An assessment should include consideration of:
• level, type and duration of exposure;
• exposure to peak sound pressure;
• effect on employees at particular risk;
• information from health surveillance;
• availability of personal hearing protection (php).
And will therefore include:
• knowledge of the works to be played - how loud; how long; composer’s style;
• knowledge of the venue - space / restrictions / resources / acoustic;
• any valid measurements;
• analysis of the works - how energetic; extreme changes in dynamic; significant concentrations of energy; instruments
that are masked etc;
• knowledge of the individuals - conductor / soloists / principals;
• feelings about the works - how painful / startling / unpleasant / tiring.
The output of the assessment is a statement of the things to be done to reduce risk, and by whom. Clearly this needs to
dovetail with all the other activity on the day, so actions may need to be delegated. Some noise controls are unpopular,
and you will need to check that they actually happen. If you do not check, you do not have a control system. Most
noise controls have unhelpful side effects, and you should get feedback about the extent to which these side effects were
successfully avoided. Where you measure noise levels, please share them with other orchestras via the ABO.
You should keep a written record of the assessment, sufficient to demonstrate that it was adequate, to provide
others (including players) with the significant findings, to develop your action plan, to learn from it when doing later
assessments, and to be able to share ideas with other orchestras. You should expect your record to include:
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Date Venue Programme
Players
Valid Data
Mandatory PHP Periods
Checks Made
Conductor
Prominent Risks
What Controls
Did the Controls Work?
Soloist(s)
Risk Ball-Park
Managed by Whom
Measured Noise Levels
Action plans
Some noise controls are easy, some require long-range planning. All require management effort, and communication
with the players and others. You will need to develop a plan for noise that identifies the new things to be done and
the effort, persuasion and funding required, and lays out the stages towards attainment. Responsibility for and regular
review of the plan should be incorporated into your noise policy.