Noise Exposure Risk Assessment

The Physical Agents Regulations, 2024 (PAR) were promulgated on 6 March 2025 and introduce a consolidated legal framework for managing workplace exposure to physical agents, including thermal stress , illumination, indoor air quality, vibration, non-ionising radiation and other physical hazards.

These regulations will replace the Environmental Regulations for Workplaces, 1987, following the prescribed transition period, and place expanded obligations on employers to conduct documented physical agent exposure risk assessments.

In terms of Regulation 6 of the Physical Agents Regulations, 2024, an employer or self-employed person must conduct a documented physical agent exposure risk assessment:

• Before exposure, as far as is reasonably practicable
• At intervals not exceeding 24 months
• By a competent person

The risk assessment must include, at a minimum:

• Identification of physical agent hazards
• Identification of persons who may be affected
• Evaluation and prioritisation of physical agent risks
• Consideration of previous risk assessments and exposure monitoring data
• Recognition of vulnerable groups, where applicable
• Development of a documented action plan to address identified risks

A structured, Excel-based Physical Agents Exposure Risk Assessment Template is currently in development and will be designed to support:

• Practical workplace risk identification and evaluation
• Alignment with the Physical Agents Regulations, 2024
• Professional judgement by competent persons
• Consistent documentation for internal review, audits and regulatory compliance

🚧 This template will be released soon as part of the Simplify IQ physical agents compliance toolkit.

This template will be provided for guidance and structured documentation purposes only.
It does not replace the legal requirement for assessments to be conducted or reviewed by a competent person, as defined in the Regulations.