Noise at Work Act ?

[Kernow]

I had a new experience, well at least for me, last night while playing to a full floor halfway through the night. The Hotel Manager came up and asked me to reduce the volume to an almost inaudible level as the 'Noise at Work Act' specifies that a "conversation must be possible at a distance of 2 metres to conform with it's requirements".:eek:

Needless to say the dancers weren't overly enamoured when I did so, and to keep the momentum I was soon forced back to where we left off.

Now I've sometimes had the usual moans from people sitting right in front of the speakers, but this is something really different.

I know that this applies in factories etc. but has anyone seriously tried conversing at 6 and a half feet in a club or disco environment before ?

Is this a new form of limiter and will it escalate ?


Rob#2

[rob1963]

How ridiculous!

As I understand it, the noise at work act only relates to employers & employees at work.

It does NOT relate to members of the public exposed to noise from their non-work activities...which I assume would include being at a disco.

:bang: :bang: :bang:

[bank]

Have a read: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20051643.htm

"(a) for the music and entertainment sectors only they shall not come into force until 6th April 2008"

Its a whole load of rubbish. From my understanding it doesn't apply unless you're playing music at loud levels in the same place every day of the week.

[Danieleastwood.com]

He sounds like he may have mis-interprated it a little to me. For a start, where is the conversation of two meters supposed to be able to take place? Is that at the bar and seating area? on the dancefloor?

It is something I have heard about, but there are so many variables that it's difficult to understand the guidlines on this.

I know from experience that noise regulations are normaly given in decible readings as guidance. These readings will be given once engineers and acoustitions have come in and given noise source points at recorded and specified areas. After they have measured and worked out what 'safe levels are' then you can start to deal with ensuring you don't over step the restrictions given. Of course, this is only in extreme cases where environmental health are involved normally following lots of complaints about a venue or during issuing of venue licences.

Unfortunately, I dont know the whole law surrounding noise etc. All I know, is that it is something we, as individual operators will soon be having to deal with thanks to a certain European friendship.

[Kernow]

Thanks Rob.

Just as I thought ;)

Even so, the bar staff, waiters etc. were working and the Event was a Company Christmas party.

Technically though if the room was hired by and for the exclusive use of the Company concerned does it not form part of the workplace, albeit on a very temporary basis ?

Anyway ,if either applies, I've certainly breached the Act (in a big way :D ),... enjoyed every second of it,..... and will do so again :attn: :)

If it catches up with me, please will you all upload files (hidden in cake !) c/o Bodmin Jail. :Naughty:

[rob1963]

Even so, the bar staff, waiters etc. were working and the Event was a Company Christmas party.

Yes, but presumably they weren't working right in front of your speakers for the whole night, and could therefore have a conversation with each other without any problems if they wanted to.

:)

[Kernow]

Possible solution ?

Set up the radio mics, slip the fader up to to 11 and give them one each ?

They can then converse over 200 metres with more feedback than I have on ebay !!! :D

[rob1963]

Possible solution ?

Set up the radio mics, slip the fader up to to 11 and give them one each ?

They can then converse over 200 metres with more feedback than I have on ebay !!! :D

Sounds like a plan!

:D :D :D

[djsteve10]

The local nightclub where i Dj has a noise at work act up in the staff room, All the staff are provided with ear plugs to wear as part as this act but in a function enviroment so long as you wasn't driving the sound to excessive levels so people in the hotel rooms were complaining then the hotel manager is talking aload of rubbish. If they had a Noise at work act you should of asked why haven't they got a sound limiter then.

[Harrison's Discos]

hopefully im on the right track here.. i went to a wedding reception in a hotel and the music was ''really'' loud. No regulations there ? :confused:
And it was a 'marriot'.

[Have a disco]

Believe this act they are trying to bring in is another nail in the coffin fo places of work like pubs and clubs I believe this is another ****ed step towards EU harmonization where over there 95 Decibels is the max at any workplace but as ever it is rarely enforced, but I gaurantee our officials will try to rule it with a heavy on the spot fine system???

I first read this in the publican magazine just after the smoking ban had been enforced