When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and tradespeople carrying out noise risk assessment — typically because a principal contractor or client has asked for a risk assessment and method statement before work can start. It covers the recognised coshh & substances hazards for this task, with the controls a reviewer expects to see.
What this RAMS includes
- ✓ 9 task-specific hazards scored on a 5×5 matrix (initial → residual)
- ✓ Specific control measures for each hazard, in hierarchy-of-control order
- ✓ A 9-step method statement (sequence of works)
- ✓ PPE, plant/equipment, permits and competence requirements
- ✓ Emergency arrangements and operative briefing / sign-off section
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Scope of works
Assess noise exposure under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 — action values and hearing protection.
2
Sequence of works
- 1PLAN: Identify all tasks, equipment, and workers within the scope of the noise risk assessment. List all noisy tools and plant likely to be used, reference manufacturer noise emission data, and consult HSE Noise Navigator or equivalent database for initial estimates.
- 2ASSESS: Appoint a competent person to carry out the noise risk assessment. Use calibrated sound level meters and/or personal dosimeters to measure representative noise levels for each significant task. Record duration of exposure for each task and worker group.
- 3CALCULATE: Determine daily personal noise exposure (LEP,d) and, where applicable, peak sound pressure levels (LCpeak) for each worker or worker group. Apply logarithmic combination where multiple noisy tasks occur within one working day.
- 4COMPARE: Compare calculated exposures against the lower exposure action value (80 dB LEP,d / 135 dB LCpeak), upper exposure action value (85 dB LEP,d / 137 dB LCpeak), and exposure limit value (87 dB LEP,d / 140 dB LCpeak, accounting for hearing protection).
- 5CONTROL: Apply the hierarchy of control — first seek to eliminate or reduce noise at source (quieter methods, substitution of equipment), then apply engineering controls (enclosures, damping, acoustic screens), then organisational controls (job rotation, scheduling), and finally hearing protection where residual risk remains.
- 6ZONE: Designate and physically demarcate hearing protection zones in all areas where noise regularly exceeds the upper exposure action value. Erect compliant signage and brief all site personnel on zone boundaries and PPE requirements.
- 7PROTECT: Issue appropriate hearing protection matched to the residual noise level (verified SNR/H/M/L). Train all users on correct fitting, care, and replacement. Conduct fit-testing where practicable.
- 8HEALTH SURVEILLANCE: Arrange audiometric testing for all workers regularly exposed at or above the upper exposure action value. Record results, identify threshold shifts, and refer to occupational health as required.
- 9REVIEW: Record all assessment findings, control measures, and PPE provisions. Review the noise risk assessment whenever there is a material change in tools, processes, work patterns, or if a worker reports hearing symptoms. Retain records as required.
3
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Excessive noise exposure — daily personal exposure (LEP,d)
Initial12→Residual4
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Where technically feasible, eliminate the need for the noisy process entirely — e.g. use pre-formed or pre-cut materials to avoid on-site cutting or drilling.
- › Replace high-noise tools with quieter equivalents (e.g. electric tools instead of pneumatic; diamond-tipped cutting instead of percussive). Verify noise ratings before procurement.
- › Apply engineering controls such as acoustic enclosures around noisy plant, anti-vibration mounts, silencers on exhausts, and damping materials on work surfaces.
- › Provide suitable hearing protection (minimum SNR for predicted exposure) where residual risk remains. Ensure correct fit, use, and maintenance. Hearing protection zones to be marked.
Exposure exceeding upper exposure action value
Initial20→Residual10
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Establish and implement a formal programme to reduce noise exposure using a hierarchy of technical and organisational measures before relying on hearing protection.
- › Mark areas where noise routinely exceeds the upper exposure action value as Hearing Protection Zones using clear signage. Restrict access to authorised personnel only.
- › Enforce the wearing of appropriate hearing protection within all designated hearing protection zones. Supervisors to carry out checks.
Inadequate noise measurement and assessment
Initial12→Residual4
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Commission a noise risk assessment carried out by a person competent in noise measurement and assessment. Use a calibrated sound level meter or noise dosimeter. Sample all relevant tasks and durations. Document findings.
- › Where direct measurement is not immediately practical, reference HSE noise exposure ready-reckoner data and the Noise Navigator tool database as a preliminary estimate to guide action.
- › Calibrate sound level meters and dosimeters before and after each period of use in accordance with manufacturer instructions and IEC standards. Record calibration results.
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) — cumulative long-term exposure
Initial12→Residual4
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Rotate workers between noisy and quieter tasks to reduce individual daily noise dose below action values where engineering controls alone cannot achieve compliance.
- › Provide audiometric testing for workers regularly exposed at or above the upper exposure action value or where risk assessment identifies significant risk. Keep records and refer to occupational health if threshold shift detected.
- › Select hearing protection with SNR (or H/M/L) value appropriate to reduce exposure at the ear to below 80 dB LEP,d. Provide training on fit-checking, care, and storage.
Acoustic shock — impulsive and impact noise
Initial12→Residual4
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Replace cartridge-operated tools or heavy percussive methods with alternatives that generate lower peak pressures where the task permits (e.g. screw-fixing, hydraulic setting tools).
- › Use a sound level meter capable of measuring peak (C-weighted) values to assess impulsive noise. Ensure peak levels do not exceed 137 dB LCpeak (upper action value) or 140 dB LCpeak (limit value).
- › Provide hearing protection specifically rated for impulsive noise (e.g. class 5 earmuffs in AU or EN rated muffs for impact). Ensure all persons within the impulsive noise zone wear appropriate protection.
Third-party and bystander noise exposure
Initial6→Residual3
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Plan noisy activities during core working hours where adjacent occupied premises are present. Inform neighbours in advance. Comply with local authority noise conditions or section 61 consent under COPA 1974 where applicable.
- › Erect acoustic hoarding or temporary noise barriers between noisy work areas and adjacent premises, pedestrian routes, or other trades to reduce transmitted noise levels.
- › Define the hearing protection zone to encompass areas where bystanders could receive a significant noise dose. Display clear signage and restrict unauthorised access.
Underestimation of combined noise exposure from multiple sources
Initial6→Residual3
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Record time spent on each noisy task and the associated noise level. Calculate combined daily exposure using logarithmic addition. Do not assess tools in isolation where multiple tools are used in one shift.
- › Attach a calibrated personal dosimeter to the worker for a representative working day to capture the true combined daily exposure rather than relying solely on spot measurements.
Hearing protection — inadequate fit, maintenance or non-compliance
Initial6→Residual3
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Train all users in correct fitting technique for the specific protector type (earmuffs or earplugs). Where practicable, conduct formal fit-testing to verify adequate attenuation. Refresher training annually.
- › Inspect hearing protection before each use for damage, worn cushions, or degraded foam. Replace damaged items immediately. Store in provided cases to prevent contamination. Log issue and replacement.
- › Supervisors to undertake regular visual checks to confirm hearing protection is being worn correctly in designated zones. Non-compliance to be addressed immediately through site disciplinary procedure.
Communication and warning signal masking by hearing protection
Initial6→Residual3
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Where communication is critical, specify level-dependent earmuffs that attenuate harmful noise but allow speech and alarm signals to pass through, or helmet-mounted communication systems integrated with hearing protection.
- › Install visual strobes or flashing beacons alongside audible alarms and plant reversing signals in areas where hearing protection is worn, to ensure warnings are perceived.
- › Brief all workers in hearing protection zones on agreed non-verbal communication signals (hand signals, visual cues) and emergency evacuation procedures before work begins.
4
PPE
- ✓ Safety footwear (EN ISO 20345)
- ✓ Hi-vis clothing
- ✓ Safety gloves (task-appropriate)
- ✓ Hard hat (EN 397) where overhead risk or site rules require
- ✓ Hearing protection (to the assessed SNR)
5
Competence
- ✓ Site induction completed; CSCS or equivalent where the site requires it
Schemes (CSCS, PASMA, IPAF…) evidence competence; they are not statutory requirements in themselves.
6
Plant & equipment
- › Safety data sheets for every substance on site
- › On-tool extraction (M-class vacuum)
- › Water suppression for cutting
- › Sealed waste containers
- › Washing facilities
7
Permits & legislation
Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
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What principal contractors usually check
- ✓ A COSHH assessment per substance, not one generic line
- ✓ Exposure controls in the hierarchy order (eliminate, extract, then RPE)
- ✓ Health surveillance where exposure is regular
- ✓ The document is site-specific — real address, access arrangements and dates, not a generic template
- ✓ Hazards match the actual task and the controls are specific (not “take care” and “use PPE”)
- ✓ Named supervisor and competent person, with operative sign-off space
- ✓ Emergency and rescue arrangements that work for this site
The report builder runs these as pre-submission checks before you download — or run an existing document through the free RAMS pre-submission checker.
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Frequently asked questions
Who should write a noise risk assessment RAMS?
Someone competent to plan the work — usually the contractor doing the job or their supervisor. A template like this gives you the recognised hazards and controls for noise risk assessment, but the person signing it off must review it as the competent person and confirm it matches the actual site and method.
How long is the RAMS valid for?
Until something changes — there's no fixed expiry in law. Review it if the method, site conditions, equipment or people change, after any incident or near miss, and at sensible intervals on longer jobs. Date the review and re-brief the team.
What regulations apply to noise risk assessment?
Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 are the main ones. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and CDM 2015 apply to all construction work.
Does a RAMS need to be site-specific?
Yes — this is the most common reason documents get sent back. Principal contractors reject generic copy-paste RAMS. Your document should name the site, access arrangements, dates, supervisor and any site-specific hazards. The RamsDocs builder fills these in for you and flags what's missing before you download.
Is this template free?
Yes — everything on RamsDocs is free during early access, including building a site-specific version of this RAMS and downloading the PDF. No card required.
This is a draft, not a finished RAMS. The content above is a starting point generated from recognised hazards and controls for this task. A competent person must review it and confirm it is suitable and sufficient for the specific site before use. It is not legal advice or a guarantee of acceptance.