1.1 The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
Primary Legislation
Legislative Status: Statutory Instrument 2005 No.1643, made 18th June 2005, came into force 6th April 2006.
(The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005).
What it is: The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (CNaWR 2005) is the primary UK legislation governing occupational noise expo
Legislative Status: Statutory Instrument 2005 No.1643, made 18th June 2005, came into force 6th April 2006. (The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005).
What it is: The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (CNaWR 2005) is the primary UK legislation governing occupational noise exposure. It replaced the Noise at Work Regulations 1989 and implements the EU Physical Agents (Noise) Directive into UK law. The regulations apply to all workplaces in Great Britain where employees are exposed to noise, with limited exemptions for emergency services, Ministry of Defence, and seagoing vessels (The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, Regulation 3).
What it requires: The regulations establish a clear hierarchy of control, requiring employers to eliminate noise at source or, where not reasonably practicable, reduce it to the lowest level possible. Employers must assess noise risks, implement control measures, provide hearing protection where necessary, ensure legal exposure limits are not exceeded, conduct health surveillance, maintain equipment, and provide comprehensive information, instruction, and training to employees and their representatives (The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005).
Why it matters for earplug fit testing: The regulations mandate that hearing protection must be both adequate (reducing noise exposure to below the 87 dB(A) exposure limit value and preferably below 85 dB(A)) and suitable (appropriate for the wearer, task, and environment). Fit testing is the only method that directly measures whether a specific hearing protector provides adequate protection for an individual worker. It verifies compliance with Regulation 7(4)(a), which requires employers to select hearing protectors "so as to eliminate the risk to hearing or to reduce the risk to as low a level as is reasonably practicable." Without fit testing, employers cannot be certain they are meeting this legal duty. See also: [#ppe-suitability-adequacy](#ppe-suitability-adequacy), [#ukhca-fit-testing](#ukhca-fit-testing).