Entain Director of Stadia Ian Smyth today announced changes to requirements in paddock areas which will take effect from August 1st.
He said: “At Entain, we are committed to providing a safe work environment which promotes our people’s safety, health and well-being. We constantly review safety procedures at our tracks and as part of this review we have undertaken a noise at work risk assessment due to noise emanating from the greyhounds.
“An independent company assessed the noise levels across the stadia, with particular attention in our kennels when the greyhounds were in place; it was clear from the results, that the level of noise was above legal limits. To reaffirm these findings, another company was employed to conduct a further assessment and the results from that assessment were identical to the first.
“Noise is measured in decibels (dB) and The Control of Noise at Work Regulations, places a legal obligation on employers to provide hearing protection for workers once average noise levels exceed 85dB. The average level of noise within our kennels exceeded the 85dB limit and had readings that peaked at 132dB. The readings were almost identical at each track. To put those readings into context, a gunshot at close range or an aeroplane taking off would generate a similar reading.
“Exceeding legal limits for noise can cause serious hearing damage which can affect all areas of life and can cause tinnitus, giddiness and an unsteady gait among other things. It can make conversation difficult and although once the damage is done it is irreversible, it is preventable.
“As a result of these findings we have worked with our two trainer representatives at each track to find a workable solution. Some of the equipment we trialled was too effective and took away noise completely. This in itself was seen as a risk to both canine & human health.
“We have been able to identify suitable and sufficient options that reduce noise to a safe level without removing it altogether. This hearing protection equipment has already been made available to our own trainers and will be available to open race trainers & kennelhands whenever they attend one of our tracks. Trainers wishing to use their own ear protection equipment are free to do so but for clarity, music ear phones do not constitute protection. Self-provided hearing protection must be of suitability to reduce the noise levels to a safe level to prevent noise induced hearing loss.
“We have also completed works to our kennels at Romford & Hove to restrict the area where protection is required and reduce the noise levels emanating into the wider kennel area.
“As a responsible business, we intend to follow the legal guidelines and do the right thing by ensuring that our colleagues, contractors and any associated workers are protected and kept safe on our premises. Therefore, with effect from August 1st we will be making it mandatory for anybody entering our kennel areas, where dogs are kennelled, to wear hearing protection unless they have a clear and demonstrable exemption. We have briefed our contracted trainers over the last two weeks and have been in contact with those open race trainers who attend our tracks regularly to explain the position to them.
“Should this present a concern for any trainer or kennelhand we would ask them, in advance of attending a race meeting, to contact the relevant racing office to allow us to find a workable solution.”
