STANDARD + VR Forklift and Warehousing · United Kingdom Updated October 14, 2026

Noise at Work VR Training for Warehouses and Distribution Centres (Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005)

VR noise scenario on the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005: action values of 80 and 85 dB(A), hearing protection zones, correct ear plug fitting and health surveillance.

QUICK ANSWER

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 set a lower exposure action value of 80 dB(A), an upper action value of 85 dB(A) and a limit of 87 dB(A). Above 85, hearing protection zones and protection are mandatory. A VR scenario lets workers hear the difference and fit protection correctly.

What the Rule Requires

Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/1643): the lower exposure action values are a daily or weekly personal exposure of 80 dB(A) and a peak of 135 dB(C); the upper exposure action values are 85 dB(A) and 137 dB(C); the exposure limit values are 87 dB(A) and 140 dB(C). Employers must assess risk, reduce exposure, provide hearing protection and hearing protection zones above the upper values, give information and training, and provide health surveillance where there is a risk to health.

The scenario is a parcel sortation hall with conveyors, a baler and a shrink wrap area. A worker keeps one ear plug out to hear a radio, another rolls the plug incorrectly, and the baler area sign says hearing protection mandatory.

Hazards in This Scenario

Noise-induced hearing loss
Tinnitus
Poorly fitted protection
Not hearing warnings

The Procedure the Scenario Rehearses

Know the hearing protection zones
Fit ear plugs correctly: roll, pull ear, insert, hold
Wear protection all the time in the zone
Report damaged machines that get louder
Attend hearing tests
Report ringing or muffled hearing

Mistakes the Scenario Is Built to Catch

Wearing one plug
Poor insertion
Removing protection for short tasks
Missing hearing tests

Competence Assessment Matrix

Decision point	What the assessor sees	Pass standard
Zone	Recognised	Hearing protection zone signs obeyed
Fit	Insertion technique	Correct
Use	Worn throughout	Not removed to talk inside the zone
Symptoms	Reported	Ringing or dullness reported to supervisor

What VR Covers

Noise levels shown visually
Fitting practice
Zone awareness
Records per worker

What VR Does Not Replace

Noise measurement
Engineering controls
Audiometry

Scope of a One-Scenario Pilot

A pilot builds this scenario as a single module, in Unity or Unreal Engine depending on the visual fidelity the task needs and the headsets on site. It runs on standalone headsets, logs every learner decision, and exports a per-person record for your training file. It is measured against your current method with a test cohort before anything is scaled.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the UK noise action values?

80 dB(A) lower, 85 dB(A) upper, with a limit of 87 dB(A) taking protection into account.

Must hearing protection be worn above 85 dB(A)?

Yes. At or above the upper exposure action value of 85 dB(A), zones must be marked and hearing protection worn inside them.

Is hearing testing required?

Health surveillance is required where there is a risk to health.

Want this scenario built around your site?

We review your current procedure and tell you which parts can be rehearsed in VR and which still need hands-on practice.

Map Your Highest-Risk Scenario