Noise in the workplace can be highly distracting, limit communication, affect safety as well as reduce work performance and productivity.
Noise can be a problem in factories, vehicles, open plan office environments or building and construction sites. Because of excess noise, instructions can sometimes be misheard or announcements not heard at all which may compromise both productivity and safety. Open plan office environments where multiple distractions and conversations occur can reduce concentration levels, alter train of thought or reduce the ability to focus attention, again potentially impacting negatively on work performance and productivity.
Excessive noise within the workplace can also contribute to the permanent hearing loss of employees. Evidence suggests that continuous exposure to noise levels that exceed 85 decibels during a normal 8 hour working day can pose an unacceptable risk to the hearing of those exposed. Therefore methods of suppressing or eliminating workplace noise can have great benefits.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
The Code of Practice for managing noise within workplaces has specific guidelines regarding recommended noise levels for work environments as a means of reducing the risk of noise induced hearing loss. It also recommends ways of reducing noise within the work environment.
Within workplaces sources of noise may be loud or just annoying and limit clarity of hearing, for instance a rattling door or window on a vehicle. When workplace noise is identified the following should be considered:
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removing or replacing the source of noise with plant or equipment with lower noise emissions
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ensuring all plant and equipment is installed correctly to ensure low noise emissions
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treating vibration sources within a machine or engine
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using noise damping products to reduce metal to metal contact
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providing effective maintenance procedures to eliminate noise from insufficient lubrication, rubbing machine parts, faulty seals or worn bearings
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thinking about elements of a machine rather than the whole machine, for instance using anti vibration mountings, mufflers or silencers
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whether work undertaken or equipment used can be changed to reduce noise emissions
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using sound absorbing materials on floors, walls and ceilings to limit transmission of sound
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placing sound barriers or enclosures around noisy equipment to minimise emissions:
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installing partitions or cubicles within open plan offices or factories:
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if noise cannot be eliminated, changing work methods to ensure restricted periods of time are spent by employees in these environments, or only operate particular noisy equipment when the least amount of staff are exposed
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ensuring the appropriate personal protective equipment (ear plugs or muffs) are used by employees in noisy work environments.
Noise damping products such as noise and vibration suppression materials and noise suppressing paint are available to assist with reducing the level of noise in the workplace.
Generally a noise assessment is likely to be required in a workplace if raised voices are required to speak with a person about 1 metre away. Please refer to the Code of Practice link below for extensive detail.
Noise levels can affect various aspects of a person's work performance and productivity. See below for more information:
References
Safe Work Australia 2004, National Code of Practice for Noise Management and Protection of Hearing at Work 2004 (3rd edition), Australian Government: National Occupational Health and Safety Commission, Canberra, viewed 23 April 2010, http://safeworkaustralia.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/6EE85D16-7D1C-4FFC-99E7-E611B7290E18/0/Noise_COP.pdf
WorkSafe 2002, Code of Practice – Managing Noise at Workplaces, Government of Western Australia Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, Perth, viewed 20 July 2007, http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/WorkSafe/PDF/Codes_of_Practice/code_noise_workplace.pdf