Workplace Report September 2019

Health & safety news

Action needed on constant barrage of noise in Tube


Members of the RMT rail union on the London Underground (LU) are demanding urgent action over a “barrage of noise night and day”. 


Tube drivers voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action in a ballot covering four tube lines. The union says LU has made slow progress in addressing the problem of tube track noise, but members want to see “urgent and lasting improvements”. 


RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “This is an issue that impacts not only on our members but on the travelling public as well.” 


Earlier this year, hearing protection company Eave produced a “noise map” of the tube network highlighting journeys where noise levels exceed the 85dB(A) exposure action level set out in the Control of Noise Regulations 2005 (see Workplace Report, May 2019, page 13). This is the daily or weekly average exposure level at which employers must provide hearing protection.

https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt-confirms-action-on-tube-track-noise

https://www.eave.io/news-and-notes/london-underground-noise-levels-revealed