ABSTRACT
Although exposure to noise at work has been recognised as damaging to health for a number of years, until comparatively recently there has been little specific legal control. The Agriculture (Tractor Cabs) Regulations 1974, the Offshore Installations (Operational Safety, Health and Welfare) Regulations 1976 and the Woodworking Machines Regulations 1974 had specific controls included in them, and there has been a general use of the code of practice issued in 1972 by the Department of Employment (Code of practice for reducing the exposure of employed persons to noise) to determine compliance with the general duties imposed by the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
