Noise Prevention and Control Rules 2025

Draft Occupational Safety and Health (Noise Prevention and Control) Rules 2025 –Summary of proposed changes.

1. This regulation will replace the 2005 version once approved.
2. The proposed changes summary follows for affected rules.

Interpretation:
Meaning of 4 new terms added – Permissible Exposure Level (replacing Permissible Noise
Levels), Noise Survey (although not found in the rules), Competent Person and Dosimetry.

4. Permissible Exposure Limit

Title changed from Permissible Noise Level but content the same.

5. Noise Prevention Programme

Schedule (i) added for keeping of hearing test results but missing. This is also in rule 16
which refers to schedule (ii) which is also missing.

6. Noise Measurements and Records

i) Measurement now to be done by a competent person and not occupier
ii) Rule 6(iii) added to require dosimetry where noise level exceed 85 dB(A).

8. Equipment for noise measurement

i) Role of regular calibration, maintenance, inspection and operation to
manufacturers instruction transferred to competent person.
ii) Rule 8(b) added – the equipment must now be able to do sound integration and
frequency analysis.
9. Engineering controls.

Rule 9(4) added requiring development of a noise management plan.

13. Noise hazard areas.

Hearing protection usage and sign postage now required where noise levels are above 85
and not 90 dB(A) as before.

16. Medical examination & hearing tests.

See 5 above in reference to a schedule on how hearing tests results should be presented to
the director.
Prepared by: Kehio Chege, Ergotutus Ltd, 07.08.25