Spotlight On – Noise at work

Noise at work

Workplace noise is a pervasive hazard that can have serious long lasting consequences on employee health and wellbeing. It is important for employers to seriously consider the effect of excessive noise in the workplace, and take steps to prevent their employees.

Why is it important?

Whilst hearing loss is preventable, once your hearing has gone it will not come back. The damage is irreversible. Therefore, it is vitally important that employers take the risks of noise at work seriously.

The damage caused by noise at work can include loss of hearing, and a permanent sensation of ringing in the ears – known as tinnitus.

It is estimated that 18 million adults in the UK are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus.

What causes hearing problems? 

There are a number of factors that contribute to hearing damage. These include:

• Noise levels
• Length of exposure
• Frequency of exposure

Whilst hearing loss can often be the result of continued exposure to noise at work, loud noises – such as explosions – can affect hearing immediately.

Noise at work can be an issue for all workplaces, but there are some industries where these risks are most prevalent. These might include:

• Construction
• Demolition or road repair
• Woodworking
• Plastics processing
• Engineering
• Textile manufacture
• General fabrication
• Forging, pressing or stamping
• Paper or board making
• Canning or bottling
• Foundries

There are certain things that increase the likelihood of noise at work, and this includes the use of tools and equipment. Examples of tools that can contribute to hearing loss are:

• Hammering
• Drop forging
• Pneumatic impact tools etc
• Drills
• Chainsaws
• Explosive sources such as cartridge-operated tools or detonators, or guns.

What steps should you take to reduce noise at work?

If you are looking to reduce noise at work, steps could include:

• Using quieter equipment
• Developing quieter processes
• Engineering / technical changes can be implemented to reduce the noise at source
• Implementing the use of screens, barriers, enclosures of absorbent materials
• Changing the layout of the workplace to create quiet workstations
• Improving work methods to reduce noise levels
• Limiting the time employers spend in noisy areas.
• Consult employees or workplace representatives on the issue, and encourage them to report any problems or concerns.

How can we help?

If you are concerned about noise at work, we have the skills and expertise to help you through:

• Conducting noise risk assessments, including identifying sources of noise and helping you to find suitable and appropriate solutions
• Carrying out occupational health noise surveys and noise monitoring
• Implementing effective noise control measures
• Workplace noise training

Get in touch to start a conversation.