Factories applying for factory registration are inspected to ensure that minimum health standards are provided before they start operation. With finite resources, a selective enforcement approach is necessary. Hence, surveillance and enforcement activities are targeted at potentially noisy industries, specifically - textile, food and beverages, wood and wood products, paper and paper products, printing and publishing, metal and fabricated metal products, non-metallic mineral products, machinery and equipment, chemical and chemical products, rubber and plastic products.

With the introduction of the Factories (Noise) Regulations in 1996, the Ministry of Manpower implemented a noise enforcement programme, with specific focus on machinery noise labelling, noise control, and evaluation of reports on noise assessments and control planning submitted by factories.

A database on occupational noise exposure was established by the Ministry in 1996, to provide a national focal point for information on noise exposure in high risk workplaces. Inputs are results from assessments conducted by the Ministry, as well as those from regular monitoring by factories. As at end 2004, the database contained 15,339 assessment results.