The council will be taking several noise surveys using a variety of Cirrus sound level meters and noise dosemeters during sound checks and performances in the coming weeks, as part of a full programme designed to determine the level of noise protection required for both the staff and the entertainers who will be performing at the venue.
New Control of Noise at Work regulations came into force in April this year, meaning that employers in the entertainment industry are required to manage the risk to their employees caused by excessive noise. The East Riding of Yorkshire Council are keen to ensure that workers at the new Spa are well protected, and will be implementing a programme similar to one recently completed at The Floral Hall in Hornsea, where Cirrus CR:800 series sound level meters were used.
Richard Irvine, safety officer of ERYC said: "We have used Cirrus Noise Measurement instruments to protect our workforce since 1996. We want to ensure that The Spa is not only the region's premier entertainment venue, but also a safe environment to work in. Cirrus doseBadge personal noise dosemeters will be issued to our ground and bar staff during performances over the next few weeks to effectively determine the noise protection we will be providing them with."
James Tingay of Cirrus Research comments: "Working in noisy environments can cause permanent hearing damage, tinitis, and insomnia, as well as several personality disorders. By using noise measurement equipment like those in the Cirrus range as part of health and safety checks, employers can ensure that their staff members are protected from the dangers of excessive noise, and provide hearing protection where appropriate."
(Jim Evans)
