John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 119: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the report commissioned in Britain by the RNID and to the damage caused to hearing by loud music in clubs; if she intends to introduce some of the recommendations contained in that report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14209/04]

Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the report referred to by the Deputy. The thrust of the recommendations in the report are generally in line with measures already being promoted in Ireland in the area of noise in the workplace. The Health and Safety Authority, HSA, is the State body charged with responsibility for the administration, enforcement and promotion of occupational health and safety legislation and deals with the matter of exposure of persons at work to noise.

The relevant legislation is the European Community (Protection of Workers) (Exposure to Noise) Regulations 1990, which apply to the protection of workers in all workplaces, including places of entertainment. These regulations are intended to reduce hearing damage caused by loud noise. An employer must assess the noise exposure level and if it is above 85 decibels, 85-dB(A) preventive action must be taken. Noise exposure must be kept to the lowest level practicable by, for instance, quieting the source of noise or reducing the amount of time people spend in a noisy area. All workers who are exposed to a daily exposure level of 85dB(A) or more are entitled to have a hearing test at the employer's expense.

Under the regulations, where exposure is likely to exceed 85dB(A), the employer's obligations include: measuring the noise levels and reducing them as far as reasonably practicable; informing workers of the measurements taken of the noise levels; providing information and training to employees on the risk of noise exposure; and providing hearing protection such as ear muffs or plugs.

The regulations will be updated and replaced by new provisions to give effect to Directive 2003/10/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 February 2003 on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents, namely noise, which is due to be transposed into national law by the member states by February 2006. In the meantime, the Health and Safety Authority has produced a "Guide to Exposure to Noise in the Entertainment Industry" which covers a range of issues in the sector, including assessing exposure to noise, reducing exposure to noise, steps to be taken if exposure occurs over 85dB(A), steps to be taken if exposure occurs over 90dB(A), and hearing tests.