Noise Pollution

An example of speakers at a concert !

Noise Pollution

Goines and Hagler (2007) identify noise as unwanted sound.  In relation to events this can cause undesirable attention from local residents who have the right via the licencing act to inform the council. Legislation.gov.uk (2003) indicates that the control of noise is a part of the four main objectives that a licenced premise have to obeyed by, as it falls under the category of the prevention of public nuisance. If this was to happen, the event organiser could potentially get served with a notice of warning from the city council which could lead to the loss of license if the persistence continues.

So who else is affected by noise?

As a bartender at nightclub in Manchester, I can personally understand the nuisance which noise/music can provide. Gunderson et al. (1997) acknowledge the potential risks for employees who are exposed to loud noises. The government accepted research done of this subject and were forced to implement the control of noise at work regulations (2005) act. This act provides the employees the right to have access to hearing protection if the noise exceeds over 85db, which is always the case within nightclubs. My current work supply us with foam ear plugs; however these do cancel out the music but at the same time they also cancel out the customers. This can prove to make a seemingly easy job rather demanding and often ends up with the ear plugs getting thrown away! A potential resolution for this problem is the use of sound cancelling ear plugs; these reduce all the sounds around you by the same measurement and would allow you to be able to hear the customers. However these are expensive and most events would prefer to supply what is needed via regulations rather than to splash out on ear plugs which will protect your ears and improve efficiency of employees. Buss (2011) highlights that if the employee does feel like they are being neglected against the provision of noise, than they are entitled to launch a legal enquiry, this can prove to be economically costly for both parties.

Methods to manage sounds

Numerous books about event management fail to propose methods which should be in placed to prevent excessive noise at work, Shone and Parry (2001) is just one example of this. However Spelthorne.gov.uk (2003), does supply event managers with various methods which can be enforced. Within this document it recognises the threat of noise escaping through windows and doors. It suggests making sure all windows are shut and supplied with double glazing, as well as the use of a lobby area which will dramatically reduce the noise which the local residents will have to endure. Another method they recommend is the use of noise limiters, these enable the PA system to cut off if it suppresses past the regulated sound requirements. Astralsound.com (2003) note that a lot of venues are now using these gadgets to help prevent against excessive noise, nevertheless this website also highlights the possible drawbacks from using these devices. It indicates that they can be prone to be triggered via high frequencies such as singing and even snare drums. Finally, it acknowledges that the layout of the venue should be considered. For instance having speakers by doors or windows is possibly threatening to the prevention against public nuisance listed in the licencing objectives.

Overall, when instigating an event it is important to consider probable elements which could leave you,(the event organiser) in risk at violating the licencing act. It is also important to acknowledge who can be affected via noise pollution, and implement methods which can thwart these dangers, resulting in no long legal battles.

Astralsound.com (2003) Noise Limiters in Venues. [online] Available at: http://www.astralsound.com/noise-limiters.htm [Accessed: 14 Dec 2012].

Buss, J. (2011). Alcohol and Entertainment.

Goines, L., & Hagler, L. (2007). Noise pollution: A modern plague. Southern medical journal, 100(3), 287-294.

Gunderson, E., Moline, J., & Catalano, P. (1997). Risks of developing noise‐induced hearing loss in employees of urban music clubs. American journal of industrial medicine, 31(1), 75-79.

Legislation.gov.uk (2003) Licensing Act 2003. [online] Available at: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/17/contents [Accessed: 13 Dec 2012].

Shone, A., & Parry, B. (2001). Successful event management. A practical handbook. London: Continuum Books.

Spelthorne.gov.uk (2003) Noise and the Licensing Act 2003 – Spelthorne Borough Council. [online] Available at: http://www.spelthorne.gov.uk/article/1886/Noise-and-the-Licensing-Act-2003 [Accessed: 14 Dec 2012].