As of 6 April 2008 the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 are extended to the music and entertainment sectors. For other industry sectors these Regulations have been in force since April 2006, but the music and entertainment industry was given a two-year transitional period before implementation of the Regulations. Although there is ample evidence that exposure to live music can cause hearing damage, it was recognised that music is different from other noise as it is created deliberately for entertainment purposes and therefore guidance was necessary to help employers, workers and freelancers in the industry to protect their hearing.

The music and entertainment sectors are defined in the Control of Noise at Work Regulations as all workplaces where:

• live music is played; or
• recorded music is played in a restaurant, bar, public house, discotheque or nightclub, or alongside live music or a live dramatic or dance performance.

Employers in these sectors will be required to assess and manage the risks to employees and freelancers from damage due to exposure to noise and to put effective controls and protective measures in place to ensure the legal limits on noise exposure are not exceeded. For more information, see http://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/musicsound.htm.