IT'S official - mobile phone ring tones are the most annoying noise in the workplace.

The Top Ten Irritating Sounds poll - a survey of workers across Yorkshire, including York - was carried out by the Hearing Company to mark the fact strict new legislation comes into force on Thursday to protect staff from noise in the workplace.

The Health And Safety Executive estimates that 170,000 people in the UK suffer deafness, tinnitus or other ear conditions as a result of exposure to excessive noise at work, with employees in the manufacturing, construction, call centre and music industries being the worst affected.

Exposure to noise can also raise stress levels and increase the risk of accidents happening at work.

The new legislation will lower the noise level at which employers must make hearing protection available from 85 to 80 decibels, covering a predicted one million extra workers.

Len Cruddas, chief executive of the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, was concerned not every local business may be aware of the change, but backed the principle behind it.

He said: "Yes, it's another piece of legislation, but it's an important area, and health and safety matters must be taken seriously by employers. It is good business practice to protect your workforce and the underlying issue here is an important one.

"The new regulations may well have an effect on business because of the cost of implementing them, but I am broadly supportive of the issue. I feel that most businesses will be happy to comply with any legislation that protects the workforce, as long as it's introduced in a reasonable manner."

When the Evening Press contacted a number of leading York businesses, many were unable to provide any immediate reaction.

Ron Thompson, of Pattinson & Brewer solicitors, who acts for people deafened by noise at work, recently said, despite thousands of successful claims for compensation, employers are still failing to take hearing damage seriously.

One York business which is geared up for the new legislation is Moor Lane Construction, in Bishopthorpe. A spokesman said: "We engage safety consultants who carry out noise risk assessments on an ongoing basis and we have had to make no significant changes to meet the requirements of the new law."

Norwich Union in York is confident that it is ready for Thursday, when the law comes into effect. A spokesman said: "We've done some preliminary work and everything is fine. The legislation will not have any impact on us, as our noise levels are already below 80 decibels."

Club and bar staff, whose hearing is at risk due to the loud music they are exposed to, are having to wait another two years before receiving the same protection offered by the new law. Legislation covering the music and entertainment industry is not due to come into force until April 2008.

Employers seeking more information about the new Control Of Noise At Work Regulations should visit the website: www.hse.gov.uk/noise/advice.htm

:: Top Ten Irritating Sounds At Work

1 Mobile phone ring tones

2 Unanswered phones

3 People shouting into their phones

4 Colleagues chit chat or small talk

5 Intercom system

6 Computer alerts

7 Swearing

8 Computer keyboard tapping noise

9 Air conditioning/heating system

10 Radio

We asked people in York what they thought was the most irritating noise at work

Amri Tesh, 21, a market researcher, of Heslington Road, York, said: "Colleagues that speak too loudly on the phone. They seem to forget that other people are trying to work."

David Nelson, 40, a health and safety advisor, of Fangfoss, said: "It's got to be mobile phones that have pop songs as their ring tones. One of my colleagues has a Leeds United song, which I find annoying."

Lisa Parnell, 55, a catering assistant, of Walmgate, York: "If you're trying to work there's nothing more irritating than the sound of people constantly chattering and gossiping in the background. All you can hear is yap, yap, yap."

Laura Wilson, 26, a call centre worker, of Fulford, York, said: "I work in a call centre, so it's got to be the phones. Either that, or the girl I sit next to - she never stops talking!"

Gareth Griffiths, 32, an accountant, of Stanford Bridge, said: "There's a buzzing that comes from the computer which is always there in the background. It can be really distracting when you're trying to concentrate."

Updated: 10:10 Monday, April 03, 2006