Occupational safety is an umbrella term that includes protection from chemical exposure, monitoring air quality levels, avoiding slips and falls, limited exposure to excessive noise, and many other workplace hazards. Workplace safety involves balancing noise control with other safety measures to ensure comprehensive safety coverage. Employers need to be aware of possible conflicts and overlaps in different safety systems.
Occupational Safety Concerns
In 2022, employers in the private sector reported over 2.8 million workplace injuries and illnesses. That same year, there were over 5,000 fatal occupational injuries across all sectors. Multi-faceted safety approaches aim to reduce the number and severity of occupational injuries, illnesses, and accidents across every industry.
Top Safety Concerns
Across all industries, the top causes of workplace injury and illness include overexertion, contact with objects and equipment, and slips/trips/falls. More recently, Exposure to harmful substances or environments has made the top of the list due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related illnesses and deaths.
Occupational Hearing Loss
Over 22 million workers are exposed to excessive, potentially damaging noise levels each year. Plus, over 13 million people work in industries where they have a higher chance of being exposed to ototoxic chemicals or chemicals that cause damage to parts of the ear. Optimal workplace safety involves balancing noise control with other safety measures and protocols.
Balancing Noise Control and Other Safety Measures
Noise control systems can impact other safety measures. Products that help lower noise exposure can impact proper ventilation. Noise reduction technology can affect the ability to communicate and hear alarms and emergency notifications. Multi-faceted safety approaches involve balancing noise control with other occupational safety measures.
Common Safety Measures
Occupational safety measures start with policies, procedures, and training across all industries. These policies may include proper labeling and storage of hazardous materials and chemicals, proper usage of ladders and other equipment, training on wearing and maintaining personal protective equipment (PPE), emergency drills, and reporting.
Industrial safety equipment, such as barrier curtains, welding screens, and fire equipment, including hoses and extinguisher covers, is a key aspect of occupational safety. Industrial barriers help divide and organize open workspaces, creating designated zones. They also contain and block dust, debris, fumes, and sparks from activities such as welding from traveling to other areas.
Noise Control Measures
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates noise levels in work environments. If employees are exposed to noise levels of 85 decibels (dB) or higher over an eight-hour period, employers must implement a hearing conversation program. Hearing conservation programs involve education and training, free annual hearing exams, and the use of controls to lower noise exposure.
Noise control measures include technology designed to absorb sound waves, dampen vibrations, and isolate noise. Acoustic foam can be installed on machinery or nearly any surface to absorb sound. Ceiling baffles are installed on ceilings to absorb sound waves that bounce off hard surfaces in open environments. Acoustic screens and fiberglass panels can isolate noise, creating a sound barrier between noisy machinery and employees.
Singer Safety’s Sound Stopper Noise Control Systems combine different noise control products to create the most efficient noise reduction system for a specific environment. However, noise control systems can impact other safety measures and regulations. Avoiding conflicts between different safety measures is critical when installing any noise control products.
Related Regulations and Impacts
Awareness of the unintended impacts of noise control products is key to balancing noise control measures and ensuring comprehensive protection. Noise control products such as acoustic screens and panels can impact more than just noise levels. On the other hand, safety equipment such as industrial curtains and welding screens can also impact the noise. A multi-faceted safety approach requires the use and understanding of a variety of regulations and safety systems.
Air Quality
OSHA also regulates indoor air quality levels. Exposure to and inhalation of certain fumes and chemicals can greatly impact respiratory and other health systems. While noise control products such as acoustic screens are great for absorbing noise, they may also impact ventilation. Noise control products need to be installed in a way that maintains ventilation, especially in areas where there are certain sprays, chemicals, and fumes.
Temperature Control
Similar to air quality, sound-stopping technology affects temperature control. Acoustic foam and quilted fiberglass screens and panels can act as an insulator. If an area needing soundproofing also has specific temperature regulations, pay close attention to how the sound system impacts the temperature. Additional temperature controls, adjustments, or ventilation may be necessary to ensure comprehensive protection and overall compliance.
Communication and Alarms
Sound control is necessary and critical for protecting employees’ ears. However, a key aspect of sound control is avoiding conflicts between different safety measures. Safety alarms and communication are critical safety measures in any environment: residential, educational, or occupational.
Noise control systems should not impact employees’ ability to hear and understand alarm systems and other critical communications. Emergency alarms should be heard everywhere in the workplace, even over PPE. Noise isolation should not isolate the sounds of machine-specific “error” alarms. Testing alarm systems after any adjustments to the noise control system is key in preventing disaster.
In addition to critical alarms, noise control should not interfere with other communication systems and methods. Non-emergency announcements should still be audible, or visual cues should be provided before any auditory announcements are made. Non-verbal signals for “stop!” and “listen for a moment” or similar communications should be universal and understood by all employees.
Safety-First Culture
Building a culture of safety is key to ensuring comprehensive protection for all workplace hazards. Implementing safety systems, noise control, and proper use of PPE go a long way in a safety-first environment.
Assessment and Planning
Regular assessments of all potential occupational hazards, including noise, chemical exposure, and physical injuries, ensure the proper safety tools are in place. An integrated safety plan should address all identified risks, ensuring that noise control measures do not compromise other safety protocols.
Training and Awareness
OSHA requires some level of training for all employees impacted by noise, working with chemicals, specific tools and machinery, and other risks. Taking training seriously and continually promoting safety awareness helps build a safety-conscious environment.
Lead by Examples
Leading by example is key for all managers, floor leads, and employers. Ensuring all higher-ups follow the same safety standards and use the same PPE whenever they are present in active work zones encourages all employees to do the same.
Singer Safety Company
Singer Safety Company has been a leader in industrial safety barriers for over 70 years. Our products include industrial curtains, welding screens, acoustic panels, fire safety products, and more. We understand the challenge of finding a balance between all safety measures to ensure comprehensive protection and avoid conflicting safety products. Balancing noise control with other occupational safety systems is something our team is skilled in.