Noise at Work: Working at Events, Festivals, and Busy Trading Environments

Hannah Ward, Environmental Health Professional and Events Specialist, has kindly set aside some time to share her insight into the hazards of working in noisy environments.

Hannah regularly carries out acoustic assessments at events and festivals to ensure that music and entertainment are loud enough for the audience while remaining within legal limits to prevent disturbing nearby residents or breaching licensing conditions. But there is also another side to this and that is assessing the risk of noise exposure for workers. Identifying areas with high noise levels and those workers most likely to be affected so suitable control measures can be implemented to protect their hearing from regular exposure which can cause permanent hearing damage.

If you work environment is regularly loud check out this advice.

Why Noise Matters: A New Risk Assessment for Businesses

Working at events, festivals, and busy trading environments often means operating in high noise levels, from live music and generators to crowds and mobile sound systems. It’s not just mobile businesses, in fixed premises (brick and mortar) you must consider the cumulative noise exposure across the working day – how loud is the music in your bar?

You aren’t just dealing with a noisy service; you are dealing with a workplace hazard. While this has always been part of the industry, there is now increasing focus on the need to formally assess and manage noise as a workplace risk.

What is a Noise Risk Assessment?

A noise risk assessment is a review of how sound levels in your working environment may impact your team’s health, safety and wellbeing. It considers exposure to loud environments and whether action is needed to reduce risk.

For mobile businesses, this is particularly relevant at events where you are located close to stages or other sound systems as their volume is outside your direct control. Long shifts in high-decibel environments can lead to permanent hearing loss and chronic tinnitus.

Why is this Important?

Under UK health and safety law, including the Control of Noise at Work Regulations, employers have a duty to protect staff from risks to their health and that includes hearing damage from exposure to loud noises.

Excessive noise exposure isn’t just about hearing damage. It can also contribute to:

• Headaches
• Fatigue and reduced concentration
• Increased stress levels
• Communication difficulties
• Vocal cord damage due to strain from shouting over background noise

Over time, these risks can impact both staff wellbeing and overall business performance. Neglecting this doesn’t just put your team at risk; it leaves your business vulnerable to long-term health claims.

Do You Need One?

If your team works in environments where:

• You have to raise your voice to communicate
• There is regular exposure to loud music or machinery
• Staff report ringing ears or muffled hearing after shifts

…then a noise risk assessment is likely required.

This applies to many mobile and event-based food businesses, particularly those trading at festivals, concerts or busy outdoor events.

If your environment is loud, it’s your responsibility to assess the risk.

What This Means for You

A noise risk assessment doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does need to be considered as part of your overall health and safety approach. It helps you:

• Recognise when noise becomes a risk
• Demonstrate legal compliance
• Protect your team from long-term harm

NCASS are now working on a new H&S risk assessment template to add to the suite of templates already available in the online H&S Risk Assessment Tool. This will assist members develop and record their “noise at Work” risk assessment. More detailed guidance will also follow. We will keep you updated on these developments.