A York company which specialises in health and safety fears that thousands of construction firms are leaving themselves open to prosecution because of ignorance.

The results of a survey carried out by First Stop Safety of Northminster Business Park, Upper Poppleton, suggests construction firms risk paying out as much as £10,000 in legal settlements because they know nothing of guidelines outlined in new Control of Noise at Work regulations, more than eight months after they were introduced.

More than 73 per cent of construction firms questioned by First Stop Safety were unaware of the new legislation changes.

First Stop Safety is the health and safety training arm of Tele-Products Ltd, which also trades as Crucible Technologies which manufactures safety appliance testers, as well as headsets and phone conversation recorders The firm was the 1995 Evening Press Exporter Of The Year.

Seggy Segaran, founder of First Stop Safety, said: "The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has done a good job producing advice leaflets and maintaining good advice on its website. But perhaps it has not been enough. Our research reveals the message is simply not getting across.

"That's why we've introduced a free booklet. It takes less than five minutes to read, but could save the thousands of pounds in compensation which every construction firm risks if it fails to meet the legislation requirements we describe."

The new regulations allow the use of hearing protectors as an interim measure while noise reduction measures are investigated. They also require employers to provide hearing tests for staff who are most at risk.

The levels at which hearing damage can occur have been reduced by five decibels, to 80 decibels, bringing many more employees into the high risk area.

Employers are also responsible for providing information, training and health surveillance or they risk of joining the 700 UK companies shelling out compensation of more than £3 million since 1999.

Mr Segeran said: "We're talking about the well being of employees and I'd urge businesses not up to date with the new hearing regulations to find out more as a matter of priority."

The free booklet features a chart which demonstrates which durations of noise exposure can cause a risk to hearing. It also features case studies and examples of excessive noise levels in different locations.

The Noise Levels At Work booklet can be ordered on-line at www.firststopsafety.co.uk or by phone on 01904 791050.