Spotlight On – Buy Quiet (Noise at Work)

Buy Quiet (Noise at Work)

Buy Quiet is an HSE initiative, aimed at reducing noise in the workplace, and managing the risks posed by noise at work.

Exposure to noise at work has been a concern for many years, and whilst there has been success in reducing workplace noise exposures, there are still some industries and incidents where levels remain high and lead to unacceptable risk of hearing damage.

The campaign promotes consumer demand for low noise tools and machinery, which in turn encourages the production and sale of low noise equipment. The hope is that in the long run, designers and manufactures will see commercial advantages to producing quiet tools and machinery.

The Buy Quiet campaign is not solely an HSE campaign, but there is a worldwide drive for the campaign. The HSE works with the European and global partner organisations to help develop and promote Buy Quiet activity.

What are the key messages of Buy Quiet:

According to the HSE’s website, the key messages of the campaign are:

• It  is about manufacturers, importers, suppliers and users of equipment working together  to reduce the risks from noise at work
• Buy Quiet to reduce noise in your workplace
• Buy Quiet and you have a simple, common-sense process that will help you to protect your workforce from noise risks
• It can lead to significant cost benefits over time
• By engaging, you will be helping to stimulate manufactures to develop lower-noise machinery

The issue of noise at work:

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 17,000 people in the UK suffer deafness, ringing in the ears or other ear conditions caused by excessive noise at work.

You can read our earlier article on noise at work here.

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