Information regarding hearing protection, and use of communication equipment
Case reference FOI2026/00433
Received 16 April 2026
Published 19 May 2026
Request
Response
In accordance with section 1(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), London Fire Brigade (LFB) can confirm that it holds information within the scope of your request.
Please see a response to each part of your request below:
1. Do you have any mandatory training regarding hearing protection and loud exposure safety limits per NIOSH guidelines?
LFB does not provide mandatory training solely dedicated to hearing protection. However, training relating to the control and management of noise risks is incorporated throughout operational training activities where elevated noise exposure may arise and hearing protection or other control measures may be required, including Road Traffic Collusion and Urban Search and Rescue training activities.
LFB’s Noise at Work Policy identifies a number of training requirements, including ensuring staff receive information and appropriate training regarding the risks to hearing arising from noise exposure, the precautions necessary to reduce exposure and the correct use of hearing protection. Competent persons also provide advice regarding training in the use of hearing protection equipment.
Exposure limits are defined in accordance with the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (CNWR), including a lower exposure action value of 80 dB(A) and an upper exposure action value of 85dB(A).
Control staff are provided with information and guidance documentation for additional reference and receive training in the use of hearing protection and associated equipment during onboarding processes.
Training and guidance relating to hearing protection includes the correct wear, maintenance and cleaning of equipment, inspection and replacement requirements and compatibility with personal protective equipment where applicable. Additional information and guidance is also available within LFB policies relating specifically to hearing protection.
2. Do you have any regulations on hearing protection, as to when it is needed, who can apply for it, what model/type of hearing protection is used by which type of staff? If so, what are they?
Hearing protection is required during identified operational activities including pumping operations, working around sirens, attendance at automatic fire alarm incidents, extrication activities, Urban Search and Rescue activities and the use of loud operational equipment such as generators or forced entry equipment.
LFB has defined exposure thresholds which are set at 80 dB(A), 85 dB(A) and 90 dB(A), with corresponding required control measures.
Competent persons determine the appropriate specification and method of hearing protection and managers are responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance where exposure exceeds 85 dB(A). This applies to all employees exposed to noise.
A competent person determines the specification of equipment and equipment must be approved through LFB’s procurement processes.
Details regarding the model and type of hearing protection equipment are provided in response to question 5 below.
3. What % of staff use headset or intercom, including frontline and office staff?
LFB staff does not routinely utilise intercom systems. Control Operators utilise headsets for operational call handling functions.
LFB does not centrally record percentage based information identifying all staff who use headsets or intercom systems across operational and office based functions. Accordingly, this is information is not readily available and therefore, not held for the purposes of section 1(1) of the FOIA.
4. What model/type of headset and intercom are used?
LFB does not routinely utilise intercom systems.
LFB utilises a range of headset and communications equipment, including:
· LFB’s standard headset is EPOS Impact SC 60 USB ML Double-sided headsets.
· Accessibility user headsets include EPOS Adapt 160 ANC and EPOS Adapt 360.
· Jabra Biz 2400 II QD Mono NC 3 in 1 headset in office/call centre.
· Tait TP9361 ATEX IIA Radio and Tait TP9361 ATEX IIC fireground radios.
· Tait TP9355 Incident Ground Radio utlised by operational officers.
5. What model/type of hearing protection equipment and intercom earpiece are used?
LFB does not routinely utilise intercom systems.
Hearing protection is required during activities identified within LFB’s Noise at Work Policy or where risk assessments identify noise exposure as a workplace risk.
LFB utilises a range of headset and communications equipment, including:
· Ear Ultrafit 20 ear defenders for operational use.
· Peltor ProTac MT15H7 hearing protection with active voice amplification, primarily used within training schools and with forced entry equipment (FEE).
· Peltor Pro Tac MT15HZP3ESV helmet attachment ear defenders
· Single-use hearing protectors (HY100).
6. Do you have specific suppliers for hearing protection equipment, or earpiece for intercom?
All procurement activity is managed through LFB Procurement and Commercial processes and conducted in accordance with public procurement principles and procedures.
LFB specifies approved models and types of hearing protection equipment depending upon operational workplace requirements. Suppliers are identified through applicable procurement processes.
7. If a staff member needs to use custom-made hearing protection or earpiece for intercom, how do they apply for it? Can the expense be reimbursed?
LFB does not centrally record whether individual members of staff utilise custom-made hearing protection.
Where a requirement for custom-made hearing protection identified, this would ordinarily be managed through LFB’s occupational health provider using appropriate specialist assessment and advice.
8. Has there been any complaints from staff regarding hearing protection equipment in the last 12 months?
LFB’s Health and Safety team has confirmed that it has not received any complaints relating to hearing protection equipment within the last 12 months.
9. How many sickness absences have you had in the last 5 years that were contributed to hearing problem or hearing loss?
In the last five years, five sickness absence cases have been recorded where hearing problems or hearing loss were identified as having occurred in the course of duty.
10. Do you have statistics on how loud the noise is at work (office or field)? Can I have a few examples?
LFB undertakes risk assessment of work activities in accordance with relevant health and safety legislation. Where noise exposure is identified as a workplace risk, additional noise assessments may be undertaken by competent persons and appropriate control measures implemented, including mandatory hearing protection where required.
Risk assessment may involve an additional specific noise at work assessment completed by competent persons. Where noise is identified as a risk appropriate control measures are put in place to mitigate the risk, which may include mandatory hearing protection where required.
Examples of average daily exposure levels identified through recent assessments include:
· Approximately 84.7 dB(A) across operational roles.
· Approximately 87.3 dB(A) for drivers.
· Approximately 84.8 dB(A) for firefighters.
· Approximately 76.3 dB(A) for officers.
Examples of recorded workplace noise readings include:
· Appliance siren noise within appliance cabs typically ranging between 90 and 105 dB(A) at the driver’s ear, depending on appliance type and whether windows or sunroofs were open. Peaks exceeded 110 dB(A).
· Automatic Fire Alarms (AFAs) activations measured between approximately 89 dB(A) and 118 dB(A), with average levels typically between around 100 ans107 dB(A) depending on circumstances.
· Road Traffic Collison (RTC) cutting equipment typically ranging between approximately bout 85 and 100 dB(A), with peaks exceeding 130 dB(C) during glass breakage activities.
All of the examples of noise readings set out above are typically associated with short duration and relatively low frequency exposure periods.
We have dealt with your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. For more information about this process please see the guidance we publish about making a request on our website: https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/about-us/transparency/request-information-from-us/.
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