No, the government is not forcing rock venues and clubs to install sound limiters

This online petition is doing the rounds of music forums:

It has been brought to attention that the government wish to consider it a legal requirement in the new tax year to introduce laws insisting anyone applying or re-applying for an entertainment license must have a noise control device fitted to the venue. This will be the final NAIL for ALL entertainment in the UK as the level at which these devices CUT you off is dreadfully low and damaging.

PLEASE DO NOT INTRODUCE THIS LAW, WE LOVE LIVE MUSIC!

It’s a load of balls. The regulations are the Control of Noise At Work Regulations 2005, which were expanded to the entertainment industry last Spring. Here’s what the HSE says, and here’s the official advice for venues. Quick summary: places where employees are subjected to very loud music need to carry out risk assessments, and if there’s a risk of damage to employees’ hearing then they need to do something about it. That certainly could include fitting noise limiters, but they’re not compulsory or, in most cases, necessary.


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