SEDA

Update & advice from Ian Barber, SEDA H&S officer - Feb 2008

NOISE AT WORK REGS -FROM APRIL 2008
Exposure to levels above 85 db require everyone in the room who is there working( DJ, bar staff & venue staff ) to wear hearing protection. Noise level is measured at the DJ position, if no other staff in the room. Noise level measured at both DJ position and at bar or staff positions, if in the same room.
Freelance DJ's are responsible for obtaining their own hearing protection and using it. Venues employing DJ's directly will need to supply DJ's with hearing protection and make sure it is worn. Agencies, and DJ's employing DJ's will need to supply hearing protection for them all individually, and make sure it is worn.

Keep a record of volume levels, measured at DJ position and on dancefloor, at intervals throughout the gig (use c-weighting setting)

REDUCING POWER CONSUMPTION

• Use of LED lighting where possible, instead of high energy lamps(ie par cans)
• Don't overload amplifiers by running them flat-out all night, as this uses a lot of power. Go for larger amplifiers, preferably digital, that will produce enough power without being overdriven.
• Make sure all power cables are in good condition and able to carry the load (1.5 mm ideal for mains leads, 2.5 mm for extension leads).  Remember substandard cables and connections dissipate energy.
• Make sure all connectors are in good condition, as high resistances caused by poor connections, both in mains leads and spkr/interconnects will require more current from the mains for a given volume level.
• Keep lighting separate from the audio on a different circuit if possible.
• Turn volume down again when high level no longer required.
  

HEARING PROTECTION

• Use earplugs with 30 db attenuation for maximum protection, putting these in half an hour before the gig starts, for acclimatisation.
• Keep speakers away from the DJ position to reduce noise levels.
• Keep distortion to absolute minimum, and keep the sound clean.
• Use good quality DJ headphones, high quality and good isolation are very important.

At the January 2008 SEDA Shownight, Richard form Sensorcom demonstrated a range of earplugs for DJs which included custom fit earplugs.

Hearing Damage to DJ's

In a recent forum poll, 1/2 of the DJ's who responded indicated they have damaged hearing from their work.  It is imperative that any DJ takes steps to protect their hearing.  The RNID run a very useful information site to tell us all the dangers and how to deal with them.  Click on the image below to visit Don't Lose the Music.

Additonally, future legislation is on its way to limit the dangers of loud noise in entertainment venues.  Read more here.

Risk Assessments

The Myth: Risk assessments must always be long and complex. The reality on its own, paperwork never saved anyone. It is a means to an end, not an end in itself - action is what protects people. So risk assessments should be fit for purpose and acted upon.  OK, if you're running an oil refinery you're going to need a fair amount of paperwork. But for most, bullet points work very well indeed.

See what we mean  - check out our example risk assessments on the HSE Website http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/index.htm