Pubs told to listen up over noise regs

Employers in the pub trade could face a "wave of compensation claims" if they fail to implement new noise regulations coming in next year, a charity has claimed.

The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) has issued the warning after a survey found 68 per cent of employers were unaware of the regulations, due to take effect next April.

The poll of 200 businesses also found that 55 per cent of employers had no plans to make hearing protection available.

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations came into force for most sectors last year, but pubs and clubs have been given a two-year exemption.

Under the new rules, employers must ensure staff are not subjected to noise levels above 87 decibels.

Emma Harrison, the RNID¹s head of campaigns, said: "If properly implemented these regulations will save the hearing of hundreds of thousands of people in the music and entertainment industries. If they are ignored or implemented half-heartedly employers could face a wave of compensation claims from staff."

However, Mark Hastings, communications director at the British Beer & Pub Association, said the measures were "totally impractical".

"A noisy pub on a Friday night will easily exceed those noise levels," he said.

James Harris, licensee at famous music pub the Half Moon in Putney, London, said his venue was already conforming to the legislation.

"All our staff are offered earplugs and those who work in the music venue are told to wear them," he said.

"But if they wear them they can't hear what people are ordering."