NOISE MONITORING SILENCING NIHL
An estimated 18,000 new cases of Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) are reported each year in the UK. Lee Nicholson, Wakefield Acoustics, explains that despite being irreversible, NIHL is entirely preventable.
Although the highest rates of NIHL occur in energy and extraction, construction and manufacturing industries, it is an injury that affects people in a number of sectors. Noise induced hearing loss, caused by prolonged exposure to excessive noise levels, can cause a wide range of long term and often-irreversible health impacts including permanent hearing loss, tinnitus, cardiovascular diseases, sleep disturbance, stress, brain impairment and mental health issues.
Excessive noise levels are not only detrimental to the health and safety of staff, but can lead to lower productivity levels, a requirement for increased staffing to cover for absenteeism, or shorter hours of operation, which can effect business levels.
Faced with such business and health impacts, a growing number of companies are placing a greater emphasis on noise control measures. In fact most industries are now proactively addressing noise issues during the design, and construction of their facilities.
ADDRESSING THE ISSUE The key to cost-effectively treating noise problems is to start with an accurate diagnosis of the noise source. Firstly, identify and treat the dominant source. This is best achieved by taking a range of sound readings at various frequencies and turning off machinery to attempt to identify and isolate dominant noise sources.
Organisations that are affected by high noise levels from machinery are more likely to require a full noise audit and the involvement of specialist noise control expertise.
As a direct result of legislation, many companies previously not affected by the regulations have noise levels that are just above the upper action levels of 85 dB (A) daily exposure levels. It is these companies who are most likely
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to benefit from a consultation with a noise control engineer.
However with the increased trend in claims for industrial hearing losses it is sensible for all companies that have a potential for employees being exposed to noise levels in excess of 80 dB (A) to carry out regular audits and keep detailed records of all noise mitigation measure undertaken.
ISOLATION Where it is possible to isolate noisy machinery, the erection of enclosures, screens and baffles around equipment should be considered. An alternative would be to install sound booths to isolate workers from noise sources.
Housing noisy machinery in less prominent areas, meaning workers are less likely to be exposed to high noise levels, can help reduce the risks inherent with prolonged exposure. Improved working techniques, adjusting working patterns to reduce lengthy exposure and implementing a low-noise machinery policy can also reduce risk. However with the use of loud machinery in many industries, it is often not possible to take this action and as such other noise control measures have to be put into place.
Whilst reductions in noise levels can be achieved by thorough examination, consideration of practical solutions, engineering controls and isolation, inevitably – and despite undertaking these in-house actions – situations will arise that require the use of noise control products.
SEPARATION The strategy of separation requires the use of noise control products such as acoustic enclosures, sound havens, screens and barriers, which are designed to isolate ‘the receiver’ from the noise source.
Noise control solutions such as acoustic enclosures and screens
“MOST INDUSTRIES ARE NOW PROACTIVELY ADDRESSING NOISE ISSUES DURING THE DESIGN, AND
CONSTRUCTION OF THEIR FACILITIES.”
can be fully customised for different industries and applications, in order to address specific noise problems. Dependent on noise specification, customer application, access and structural requirements, several types of enclosure are available.
In certain circumstances it is not always feasible to treat noise at source, particularly in environments where there are multiple noise sources contributing to the overall exposure experienced by operators. In such cases, noise havens can be installed which are designed to offer respite for operators in noisy environments.
Designs must not only consider the inherent noise of equipment and the desired maximum noise levels required in different areas, but also the logistical and spatial limitations in terms of access to, from and around the facility.
www.wakefieldacoustics.co.uk www.tomorrowshs.com
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