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Pipe down, Scots!
01/03/2007 09:15 - (SA)
London - Health and safety inspectors have told members of a traditional Scottish band to wear ear protectors after discovering their drums and bagpipes made more noise than a jet engine, the BBC said on Wednesday.
The broadcaster's news website said an audiologist visited the Wick Royal British Legion Scotland Pipe Band and recorded their bagpipes at 108 decibels and snare drums at an ear-splitting 122 decibels - a total of 230 decibels.
At take-off, the engine of a jet aircraft generally reaches about 140 decibels.
Legislation dictates that action needs to be taken if noise levels exceed 90 decibels - equivalent to the sounds in a large factory or a heavy lorry - to prevent individuals suffering lasting hearing damage.
Band secretary John Bogle was quoted as saying the 40 band members from the far northeast Scotland group were concerned and had been told to consider buying ear plugs.
In 2005, an 13-year-old Scottish boy was told by his local council to stop practising the bagpipes because he was breaching noise limits.
A professional piper later donated a set of quieter pipes after an outcry among exponents of the traditional Celtic instrument.
- AFP
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