22.10 Noise
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Statutory Documents - MCA Publications - MGN 280 - Small Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure, Workboats and Pilot Boats - Alternative Construction Standards - 22 Protection of Personnel - 22.10 Noise

22.10 Noise

 Attention is drawn to the second edition of the "Code of Practice for Noise Levels in Ships" (Noise Code) published by HMSO in 1990 and Merchant Shipping Notice No. M.1415 - Code of Practice for Noise Levels in Ships.

  • 22.10.1 Vessels covered by this Code should meet the recommendations of the Noise Code so far as is reasonable and practicable.

  • 22.10.2 The Noise Code recognises that the scope for strict application of recommended noise levels on small vessels is usually limited and deals with the means of protecting the seafarer from the risk of noise-induced hearing loss under conditions where, at the present time, it is not technically feasible to limit the noise to a level which is not potentially harmful. Factors which are taken into account include voyages of short duration and vessels without sleeping accommodation which are crewed on a shift basis.

  • 22.10.3 For safe navigation, it is important that sound signals and VHF communications can be heard, at the navigating position in normal operating conditions.

  • 22.10.4 For machinery spaces, workshops and stores which are manned either continuously or for lengthy periods, the recommended limits are 90dB(A) for machinery spaces and 85dB(A) for workshops and stores.

    For machinery spaces which are not intended to be continuously manned or are attended for short periods only, the recommended limits are 110dB(A).

  • 22.10.5 To indicate the need to wear ear protectors, BS 5378 - Safety signs, a sign with symbol and supplementary warning notice should be displayed at all entrances to enclosed spaces in which the noise level exceeds 85dB(A).

  • 22.10.6 Annex 11 contains extracts from the Noise Code which indicate the maximum daily noise doses for unprotected ears, based on dB(A) sound energy received and examples of noise levels in different locations which may enable personnel to gauge potentially harmful noise exposure.

Parent topic: 22 Protection of Personnel
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