HEALTH & SAFETY FEATURE
GROWING AWARENESS OF NOISE CONTROL
Recent years have seen a growing awareness of both the benefits and legislative requirements of industrial noise control systems in the workplace. Effective noise control plays a key role in employee welfare and while the detail may differ between sectors the requirement for noise mitigation is a constant
I
ncreasingly, manufacturers are taking steps to address such issues through
incorporating a full noise mitigation scheme into their factories at the design and construction stage. In existing premises, managers may need to look to adopt bespoke solutions for specific working conditions. Noise control solutions are required across a diverse range of sectors, from oil and gas, power generation and heavy industry to food processing factories and waste water. While working methods vary across different operations, effective noise control is central to the welfare of employees and those living close to a facility. It also plays a key role in the formation of each business’s health and safety policy. Left untreated, industrial machinery can emit high levels of noise that exceed the upper action limit of 85dB(A) daily exposure levels set out in the Noise at Work Regulations 2005.
Where practicable, many companies would look to achieve noise levels below the first action level of 80dB(A) for protection of their employees. High levels of noise exposure could potentially affect a large number of workers if not treated effectively. In addition to noise emitted by individual industrial machines, equipment such as pumps, electric motors, fans, blowers and compressors can combine to generate noise that is potentially detrimental to the health of employees and disruptive to the local community.
DROWNING OUT EXCESSIVE NOISE By switching off machinery in turn and carrying out a detailed noise survey to identify prominent noise sources, managers can select suitable control solutions. These must be fit-for-purpose and safe to use within the specific working conditions. For example, noisy
machinery could be isolated in acoustic enclosures or within screened areas. Acoustic enclosures are normally
designed to house the entire machine, including any associated drive motors or power packs. Access and structural requirements may also have a bearing on the choice of enclosure, with modular panel to panel bolted constructions, fully framed fabrications and one piece drop- over units all currently available. The design and selection of materials
forming the enclosure is critical to ensuring the required resultant noise levels are achieved following installation. This would also include the design of associated ventilation systems and apertures, which are normally required in industrial enclosures of this nature.
Noise havens provide a quiet
environment where staff can work and communicate with optimal efficiency
In certain circumstances, it is not always
feasible to treat noise at the source, particularly in environments where there are multiple noise sources contributing to the overall exposure experienced by the workforce. In such cases, noise havens can be installed, to offer respite for operators. Noise havens are popular in automated
manufacturing areas, where employees oversee mechanised equipment, and provide a quiet environment where staff can work and communicate with optimal efficiency. Bespoke structures often comprise access doors, viewing windows, lighting and ventilation systems.
CASE STUDY: WAKEFIELD ACOUSTICS A large UK-based bearing manufacturing company was looking to expand its operations, which would require its test facilities to be operational during the working day. However, the noise emitted during these tests – in excess of 95dB(A) – would have an adverse effect on employees working nearby. The company was looking to introduce noise control solutions to
reduce emissions to within legislative requirements, by installing a solution that enabled production to continue within a close vicinity of the test area. However, noise reduction was not the only challenge. Access and operational issues required any solution to accommodate the company’s existing overhead crane, used to load items for testing by the customer. A heating system was also required to offer provision for differing operating temperatures during testing. The solution: The firm turned to noise control specialist,
Wakefield Acoustics, which worked with the company to glean a full understanding of the facility, how it operated and the nature of the specific requirements. The team at Wakefield supplied an acoustic enclosure that featured L-shaped sliding doors to allow for operation of the overhead crane. In addition, an integrated heating system was incorporated into the enclosure, while an integrated oil mist extraction system was also installed. The result: Noise levels were reduced from 95dB(A) to 80dB(A), while the access system for the crane allowed for it to operate as before. The
heating system ensured that the company could continue testing at a range of temperatures without adverse effects. Wakefield Acoustics manufactures advanced industrial and environmental noise control systems and has extensive expertise in supplying noise control technologies to the manufacturing sector.
www.wakefieldacoustics.co.uk T: 01924 418 940 / FACTORYEQUIPMENT FACTORY EQUIPMENT | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2018 23
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