The Sage Gateshead, the landmark centre for musical education, performance and conferences on the south bank of the River Tyne, has begun to use Cirrus equipment to ensure that the hearing of its workers is protected.

The Sage Gateshead has been using Cirrus doseBadge noise dosimeters to measure their workers’ noise dose exposure during sound checks and performances for the last month, as part of a full programme designed to determine the level of noise protection required for both the staff and entertainers who are performing at the state-of-the-art venue.

The updated Noise at Work regulations came into force this year, meaning that employers in the entertainment industry are required to manage the risk to their employees caused by excessive noise. The Sage Gateshead is keen to ensure that workers at the venue and groups who work for them outside the building are well protected, and will be taking their Cirrus doseBadge kit on tour with their orchestra, Northern Sinfonia, on its upcoming tour of Sweden.

Chris Durant, Head of Technical Operations at The Sage Gateshead said: “We are keen to ensure that The Sage Gateshead is not only the region’s premiere entertainment venue, but also the safest. We will continue to issue Cirrus doseBadge personal noise dosemeters to our staff over the coming months to effectively determine the noise protection we provide.”

He went on to say: “When measuring noise levels, it is important that the data we get is accurate and easy to record. The Cirrus doseBadge allows us to do just that because of its easy interface and robust design. Cirrus also offer good after sales service and support, and calibrate equipment regularly, so that we can be sure that we provide the correct level of protection to our staff.”



More information on the products covered in this case study is available here:

doseBadge Personal Noise Dosemeter

Banks Group, the developers of land for property, surface mining, renewable energy and waste management have been using Cirrus Noise measuring equipment to ensure that their operations at the new Shotton Surface Mine near Cramlington in Northumberland have been designed and are conducted in an environmentally acceptable way.

Work began at the new mine in June 2008. To ensure that environmental noise does not exceed agreed limits, Banks is using Cirrus CR:700 series and CR:800 series outdoor noise monitoring kits for routine noise monitoring.

This is part of a continued effort by Banks, under its policy of “Development with Care”, which aims to forge good relationships with local communities by minimising the impact at its operations.

Mark Dowdall, Environment & Community Director of Banks Developments commented:

“We have used Cirrus equipment since 1991 to monitor noise from our developments to ensure that we protect both local communities and our workforce from the effects of noise, and so far have used Cirrus equipment on over 50 similar developments.”

He continued…

“With environmental noise projects like these, it is important that the data we get is accurate and easy to record. Cirrus equipment allows us to do this, and provides excellent software that enables us to present and analyse results. The company also offers good after sales service and support and calibrate our equipment regularly, so that we can always be sure that environmental noise is controlled to an acceptable level.”

“We have also used Cirrus equipment to monitor occupational noise exposure, and have a selection of Cirrus sound level meters and doseBadge noise dosemeters that are used to measure noise levels of plant and machinery at source, to effectively determine the noise protection equipment we provide to our workers.”

James Tingay of Cirrus Research explained:

“Excessive noise levels can have a negative impact on people's quality of life, causing effects ranging from mild annoyance to serious health problems such as stress, sleepless nights and heart disease.”



More information on the products covered in this case study is available here:

CR:800C Data Logging Sound Level Meters
Outdoor Noise Measurement Kits

The East Riding of Yorkshire Council plans to use Cirrus Noise measuring equipment to ensure the hearing of workers is protected at The Spa in Bridlington, one of East Yorkshire’s premier entertainment venues.

The Spa recently held a grand reopening between Saturday 31st May and Saturday June 7th 2008, after a £19.5 million refurbishment.

The council will be taking several noise surveys using a variety of Cirrus sound level meters and noise dosemeters during sound checks and performances in the coming weeks, as part of a full program designed to determine the level of noise protection required for both the staff and the entertainers who will be performing at the new, state-of-the-art venue.

New Control of Noise at Work regulations came into force in April this year, meaning that employers in the entertainment industry are required to manage the risk to their employees caused by excessive noise.

The East Riding of Yorkshire Council are keen to ensure that workers at the new Spa are well protected, and will be implementing a program similar to one recently completed at The Floral Hall in Hornsea, where Cirrus CR:800 series sound level meters were used.

Richard Irvine, Safety Officer of ERYC said: “We have used Cirrus Noise Measurement instruments to protect our workforce since 1996.

We want to ensure that The Spa is not only the region’s premier entertainment venue, but also a safe environment to work in.

Cirrus doseBadge personal noise dosemeters will be issued to our ground and barstaff during performances over the next few weeks to effectively determine the noise protection we will be providing them with.”

He went on to say: “With noise protection projects like these, it is important that the data we get is accurate and easy to record.

Cirrus equipment allows us to do that, and the company also offers good after sales service and support, and calibrate equipment regularly, so that we can be sure that we provide the correct level of protection to our staff. "



More information on the products covered in this case study is available here:

doseBadge Personal Noise Dosemeter
CR:800C Series Sound Level Meters
Entertainment Noise Workshop