Sensory Overload Toolbox Talk

This toolbox talk addresses sensory overload in the workplace, helping employers protect staff who are sensitive to lighting, noise, odours and visual clutter. It outlines the legal duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (Regulation 5), the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, COSHH Regulations 2002 and the Equality Act 2010. Practical controls include adjustable LED lighting (BS EN 12464‑1), acoustic treatments, low‑VOC cleaning agents (BS EN 16516), quiet zones, screen‑flicker reduction and visual ergonomics training (BS EN ISO 9241‑210). The talk also covers reasonable adjustments, regular sensory breaks and quarterly policy reviews. Employers should monitor employee feedback regularly and adjust controls to reflect changing work patterns or new evidence. Regular reviews should include employee surveys and incident analysis to ensure controls remain effective. Training sessions should be refreshed annually and include case studies of sensory incidents. Documentation of all adjustments supports compliance audits. Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 Reg 5, HSE Management Standards for Work‑related Stress, Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 Reg 4 and COSHH Regulations 2002 Reg 7 provide the regulatory framework. Use this guide to audit existing controls, train staff and demonstrate due diligence during inspections. It is suitable for offices, call centres, manufacturing floors and any environment where sensory stimuli can impact wellbeing.