SECTION II

OBLIGATIONS OF EMPLOYERS

Provisions aimed at avoiding or reducing exposure
Article 5
1
Taking account of technical progress and of the availability of measures to control the risk at source, the risks arising from exposure to noise shall be eliminated at their source or reduced to a minimum.
The reduction of such risks shall be based on the general principles of prevention set out in Article 6(2) of Directive 89/391/EEC, and take into account in particular:
a
other working methods that require less exposure to noise;
b
the choice of appropriate work equipment, taking account of the work to be done, emitting the least possible noise, including the possibility of making available to workers work equipment subject to Community provisions with the aim or effect of limiting exposure to noise;
c
the design and layout of workplaces and work stations;
d
adequate information and training to instruct workers to use work equipment correctly in order to reduce their exposure to noise to a minimum;
e
noise reduction by technical means:
1. reducing airborne noise, e.g. by shields, enclosures, sound-absorbent coverings;
2. reducing structure-borne noise, e.g. by damping or isolation;
f
appropriate maintenance programmes for work equipment, the workplace and workplace systems;
g
organisation of work to reduce noise:
1. limitation of the duration and intensity of the exposure;
2. appropriate work schedules with adequate rest periods.
2
On the basis of the risk assessment referred to in Article 4, if the upper exposure action values are exceeded, the employer shall establish and implement a programme of technical and/or organisational measures intended to reduce the exposure to noise, taking into account in particular the measures referred to in paragraph 1.
3
On the basis of the risk assessment referred to in Article 4, workplaces where workers are likely to be exposed to noise exceeding the upper exposure action values shall be marked with appropriate signs. The areas in question shall also be delimited and access to them restricted where this is technically feasible and the risk of exposure so justifies.
4
Where, owing to the nature of the activity, a worker benefits from the use of rest facilities under the responsibility of the employer, noise in these facilities shall be reduced to a level compatible with their purpose and the conditions of use.
5
Pursuant to Article 15 of Directive 89/391/EEC, the employer shall adapt the measures referred to in this Article to the requirements of workers belonging to particularly sensitive risk groups.