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 impacting negatively on work performance and productivity.
Excessive noise within the workplace can also contribute to the permanent hearing loss of employees. Therefore methods of suppressing or eliminating workplace noise can have great benefits (Worksafe 2002).
Workplace solutions and adjustments
On the job strategies
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, the following being some of the considerations:
Within workplaces (mobile or fixed) sources of noise may be loud or just annoying and limit clarity of hearing, for instance rattling door or window on a vehicle. When workplace noise is identified the following should be considered:
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Can the source of noise be removed and replaced with plant or equipment with low noise emissions?
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Ensure all plant and equipment is installed correctly to ensure low noise emissions
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Treat vibration sources within a machine or engine
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Can metal to metal contact be reduced by using noise damping products
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Provide effective maintenance procedures to eliminate noise from insufficient lubrication, rubbing machine parts, faulty seals or worn bearings
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Consider elements of a machine rather than the whole machine, for instance can anti vibration mountings, mufflers or silencers be used?
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Can noisy equipment be altered to reduce noise emissions, for instance addition of sound absorbing materials?
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Consider how work is undertaken and equipment used—can this be done any quieter?
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Use sound absorbing materials on floor, walls and ceilings to limit transmission of sound
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Can sound barriers or enclosures be placed around noisy equipment to minimise emissions. See link below for more information:
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Within open plan offices or factories—can partitioning or cubicles be installed? See link below for more information:
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If noise cannot be eliminated, can working methods be changed to ensure restricted periods of time are spent by employees in these environments, or particular noisy equipment only operate when the least amount of staff are exposed?
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Ensure the appropriate personal protective equipment (ear plugs or muffs) are used by employees in noisy work environments
Noise damping products are available to assist with noise suppression. These include:
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 (WorkSafe 2002).
Other job requirments or solutions
References
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.worksafe.wa.gov.au/newsite/worksafe/media/pdf/codes/code_noise_workplace.pdf>