Noise and vibration within the ambulance

The request was successful.

Dear East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust,

Please consider this request under the Freedom of Information act.
I would like to know in an emergency front-line ambulance,
1) the reported decibels and vibration levels within the transporting ambulances rear and cab compartments.
2) If these are not recorded how is the estimated noise level recorded?
3) I would also like to know the steps taken to prevent hearing damage to staff, patients and paramedic students.
4) How exposure times are monitored for staff and paramedic students.
5) How the noise and vibration levels are monitored both initially and as vehicles age and in what conditions they are tested (I.e is the noise and vibration levels tested in a moving vehicle with all necessary front line ambulance equipment including stretcher?).

I appreciate your help with this request.

Yours faithfully,

M Creed

foi (EAST OF ENGLAND AMBULANCE SERVICE NHS TRUST),

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foi (EAST OF ENGLAND AMBULANCE SERVICE NHS TRUST),

3 Attachments

Dear M Creed

Further to your email dated 5th January 2018, please find the Trust's
response below.  Your request has been allocated the following reference:
14263, please could you quote this reference in any future correspondence
with the Trust.

I would like to know in an emergency front-line ambulance,

1) the reported decibels and vibration levels within the transporting
ambulances rear and cab compartments.

Please see attached the excerpts from the Millbrook testing carried out on
our coach/box ambulances: '14263 - attachment 1'

 

2) If these are not recorded how is the estimated noise level recorded?

N/A

 

3) I would also like to know the steps taken to prevent hearing damage to
staff, patients and paramedic students.

Attached ('14263 - attachment 2') is an extract from the Trust risk
assessment for job roles working on a DSA, specifically relating to noise.

 

4) How exposure times are monitored for staff and paramedic students.

Exposure times for staff or students are not routinely monitored. The
DATIX incident reporting system is used to gather and investigate any
issues experienced by staff.

 

5) How the noise and vibration levels are monitored both initially and as
vehicles age and in what conditions they are tested (I.e is the noise and
vibration levels tested in a moving vehicle with all necessary front line
ambulance equipment including stretcher?).

While we have nothing in place to continually monitor the noise or
vibration levels during vehicle life, any specific concerns raised would
be investigated as per normal.

 

I am obliged to advise you that if you are dissatisfied with the Trust’s
response to your request you have a right to complain to the Trust and
should set out your concerns to the Freedom of Information Officer, EEAST,
Hospital Approach, Broomfield, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 7WS or by email to
[East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust request email]. If you remain dissatisfied following this, you have a
right under Section 50 of the FOIA to seek a determination from the
Information Commissioner on whether the Act has been properly applied by
the Trust. For more information, please see [1]www.ico.gov.uk/

Under the Accessible Information Standard the Trust is required to ask our
FoI applicants equality and diversity questions. You are under no
obligation; however we would be grateful if you could complete the form
attached and email this back to us.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further
information.

Kind regards

FoI Officer

East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Please note our new email address: [East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust request email]

________________________________________

From: M Creed <[FOI #455377 email]>

Sent: 05 January 2018 21:48

To: foi (EAST OF ENGLAND AMBULANCE SERVICE NHS TRUST)

Subject: Freedom of Information request - Noise and vibration within the
ambulance

Dear East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust,

Please consider this request under the Freedom of Information act.

I would like to know in an emergency front-line ambulance,

1) the reported decibels and vibration levels within the transporting
ambulances rear and cab compartments.

2) If these are not recorded how is the estimated noise level recorded?

3) I would also like to know the steps taken to prevent hearing damage to
staff, patients and paramedic students.

4) How exposure times are monitored for staff and paramedic students.

5) How the noise and vibration levels are monitored both initially and as
vehicles age and in what conditions they are tested (I.e is the noise and
vibration levels tested in a moving vehicle with all necessary front line
ambulance equipment including stretcher?).

I appreciate your help with this request.

Yours faithfully,

M Creed

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