Is everything making sense so far? If not, I'm sure that with just a little more reading, all the facts will fall into place.
Noise can be a safety hazard at work, in more than one way. Firstly exposure to noise in the workplace can cause irreversible hearing loss to those working in the area. Secondly, constant exposure to noise is a large contributor to stress in the workplace. Thirdly, if there is a loud noise, then communication between people is hampered, instructions can be misunderstood or not heard, warning signals from machinery and fire alarms not heard.
Each situation is of course unique and assessments are required to be able to attain the best noise reduction results for each situation. However, as an example, you may at the moment have staff wearing personal hearing protection because you have a loud piece of equipment operating nearby. With proper assessment and assistance from professional noise control experts, an acoustical enclosure could be the answer. Surrounding the offending piece of equipment with sound absorption panels may then create an environment where the noise level is comfortable and staff no longer need to protect their hearing at a personal level.
During the design of the acoustical enclosure, air exchange, temperature control and other necessary
Factors enabling your equipment to work to optimum will be taken into consideration.
It is worth considering whether you have a noise problem in your workplace, and by asking these simple questions you will be able to determine whether steps should be taken to eliminate the noise from your environment.
- Does the noise intrude - like a vacuum cleaner, or a busy restaurant - into your environment for most of the day.
- Do you have to raise you voice to carry out a normal conversation from about 2 metres away for most of the day.
- Is your industry one that is known to be a noisy one. E.g. Plastics processing, engineering.
- Are there noises from operations such as hammering, pneumatic tools taking place.
That's the latest from the Noise Control in the Workplace is Essential and a Legal Requirement authorities. Once you're familiar with these ideas, you'll be ready to move to the next level.
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