Legal (Including Health & Safety)
AAD's consultants are experienced in the provision of expert testimony services to support either prosecution or defence under the Environmental Protection Act. Whether representing Local Planning Authorities or Developers, AAD also supports Town & Country Planning Act appeals, from written representations through informal hearings to public inquiries. Our forensic audio assessment experience can also be secured to support Article 8 Human Rights Act prosecution or defence concerning invasion of speech privacy.
It must be remembered that the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 obliges employers to assess employee exposure to noise and vibration. AAD's has robust experience in guiding employers and in conducting noise at work and hand-arm vibration assessments. Similarly, the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 introduced hand-arm vibration and whole body vibration exposure and action limits with obligations t assess and mitigate such exposure. Hand Arm Vibration is recognised as serious and disabling and once damage is done, is permanent.
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
- Determination of workforce noise exposure
- Comparison of employee exposure with lower, upper and limit values
- Risk assessment support
- Mitigating exposure
- Designation of hearing protection zones
- Guidance regarding health surveillance and training
The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005
- Agriculture & Forestry sectors, qualified delay to 2014
- Requires health surveillance and training
- Requires risk assessment and mitigation
- Imposes exposure action values
- Imposes exposure limit values
AAD's expert witnesses have particular experience in the following fields:
Environmental Protection Act
- Noise from sport & leisure, including off-road motor sport;
- Noise from industrial land use (most use classes) including HGV movements,
storage and repair; - Noise from farm working procedures including use of bird scarers;
- Joint Independent Expert, party floor performance.
Town & Country Planning Act
- Mixed & Residential developments' appeals;
- Industrial developments' (most use classes) appeals;
- Noise from sport & leisure, including off-road motor sport;
- Private Members Clubs' appeals;
- Night Clubs' appeals;
- Football Stadia, appeals.
Article 8 Human Rights Act
- Invasion of Speech Privacy
Applied Acoustic Design are appointed by Local Planning Authorities as well as by Property Developers and Land Users.
