Occupational noise exposure of nightclub bar employees in Ireland.
Due to the transposition of the EU Directive 2003/10/EC into Irish Law, the entertainment sector was obligated to comply with the requirements of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, Chapter 1 Part 5: Control of Noise at Work since February 2008. Compliance with the Noise Regulations was examined in 9 nightclubs in Ireland. The typical daily noise exposure of 19 bar employees was measured using 2 logging dosimeters and a Type 1 fixed position sound level meter. Physical site inspections identified nightclub noise control measures. Interviews and questionnaires were used to assess the managers and employees awareness of the noise legislation. The average bar employee daily noise exposure (L(EX, 8h)) was 92 dBA, almost 4 times more than the accepted legal limit. None of the venues examined were fully compliant with the requirements of the 2007 Noise Regulations, and awareness of this legislation was limited.
School of Food Science and Environmental Health, Dublin Institute of Technology, Cathal Brugha Street, Dublin, Ireland. aoife.kelly5@mydit.ie
Aoife C
AC
Kelly
Sara M
SM
Boyd
Gary T M
GT
Henehan
Gordon
G
Chambers
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009146:Music; D009623:Noise, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012147:Restaurants; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires