Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 May 2018
156. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she is satisfied that there are adequate measures in place to control noise levels in concert halls and cinemas; if these measures are being enforced by local authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20349/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is my understanding that enforcement measures by the Local Authorities to ensure adequate measures are in place to control noise levels in concert halls and cinemas in relation to noise pollution and to protect the general public is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
Section 107 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 provides local authorities with powers to require measures to be taken to prevent or limit noise from commercial and industrial premises within their functional areas. A notice can be served by a Local Authority on any person in charge of any premises, processes or works, other than an activity controlled by the Environmental Protection Agency. In addition, separate event licensing regulations exist which are also a matter for the Local Authorities.
The remit of my Department in connection with concert halls and cinemas is limited to their status as places of employment and the measures that must be taken by employers in the entertainment industry to protect employees from the harmful effects of loud music.
In February 2008, the Control of Noise at Work Part 5 (Chapter 1) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 came into force for the music and entertainment sector in Ireland. The regulations mean that employers have a legal duty to protect their staff from the potential harmful effects of loud music. The regulations apply to any workplace where there is live or recorded music.
The regulations state that any employer in this sector must:
- Make a determination and carry out an assessment of risks of exposure of employees to noise at their work
- Give particular attention when carrying out this assessment to the effects of exposure on employees whose safety or health is at particular risk from such exposure
- Ensure the noise is either eliminated at source or reduced to a minimum
- Take account of other methods of work which eliminate or reduce exposure to noise in the choice of work equipment and in the design or layout of places of work, by noise reduction measures and by work organisation
- Prevent exposure above 85dB(A)
- Provide personal protective equipment if this level is exceeded
- Provide employees with information, training and relating to risks resulting from exposure to noise
- Provide health surveillance including audiometric and hearing checks to employees exposed to noise at work
The Health and Safety Authority has also produced information sheets and guidelines for the entertainment sector at the following links.
http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Publications_and_Forms/Publications/Information_Sheets/Noise_in_Entertainment_2012.pdf
http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Publications_and_Forms/Publications/Occupational_Health/The_Noise_of_Music.html
