Noise hazards and noise pollution affect people all over the world, not even just in the workplace. Noise pollution solutions are key to keeping your employees safe and up to standards.

Work safety is one of the most important parts of running a successful business. While the importance of workplace noise control for health is not often disputed, some people don’t really understand it. Noise hazards and noise pollution affect people all over the world, not even just in the workplace. Noise pollution solutions are key to keeping your employees safe and up to standards. 

OSHA Standards

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set out its standards for hearing protection and workplace safety. The current standard is that any noise exposure at or above 85 decibels over the course of 8 hours or more must be mitigated by noise control procedures. You can test your workplace using a decibel meter or other sound measuring machine. Using effective protective equipment is the way to keep the decibels under the OSHA standards, protecting the employees in the workplace. Even if your workplace isn’t over OSHA standards, you can still implement ways to protect the hearing of your workers. 

Noise Hazards

The importance of workplace noise control for health is grounded in the fact that loud noises are dangerous to humans, especially over extended periods of time. The inside of the human ear is lined with hair cells which are very sensitive and help detect vibrations and sounds. These cells are very sensitive to loud noises, which can actually destroy them. If those cells are destroyed, they cannot regrow, which results in permanent hearing loss. This is called Noise-Induced Hearing Loss, or NIHL. Loud sounds can also tear or burst the eardrum, which is extremely painful and requires surgery to repair. Other than hearing loss, there are several other noise pollution effects. Exposure to loud noise over time can cause high blood pressure, stress, heart disease, and difficulty sleeping. In some people, loud noise can even cause impairment in processing, memory, and even reading skills. These are serious and show the importance of workplace noise control for health. 

The Workplace

One reason why commercial industrial sites are common areas of high risk for unhealthy noise is that they are usually surrounded by sound reflective materials. In industrial work, the safest and most effective materials are usually metal, concrete, glass, or other smooth surfaces. While these materials are easy to clean and are strong and durable, they are also very noise reflective. This means that sound is reflected and reverberated around warehouses, rooms, worksites, and more. Add in loud heavy machinery, and it is easy to see why industrial workspaces are often the most dangerous in terms of noise hazards. 

Noise Pollution Solutions

While noise hazards are worrisome, there are many noise pollution solutions available for every workplace. Having a safe workspace is accessible and doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. There are ways to protect your workplace through products that absorb noise and keep it from reflecting around your warehouse or worksite. 

Modular Acoustic Screens

One of the best ways to protect employees at a worksite from noise pollution is through the use of sound-absorbing screens. These versatile barriers can be set up just about anywhere, and can absorb a lot of sound. These can be placed on walls, ceilings, floors, doors, or set up with frames. They can also hang down from the ceiling around noisy machinery. The options are limitless with these kinds of screens. 

Acoustic Foams

Foams are very noise absorptive as they are made of soft, porous materials that break up soundwaves. They are also very versatile as they can be placed on and around other materials, even furniture or machines themselves. These foams can also be placed around doors and can help create seals that will soundproof a room or area. They are easy to cut and place, and can be adhered to most surfaces. Some foams are flat and others have cone-shaped protrusions to even further break up soundwaves. 

Quilted Fiberglass Panels

Fiberglass is an extremely sound absorptive material. Quilted panels can vary in thickness and weight, and are easy to install on walls or ceilings. These panels can also be used in screens. They are also safe for the workplace and don’t shed fiberglass particles if used correctly. These generally are supplementary noise pollution solutions to other more absorptive materials, but they can be used to cover large areas for a less expensive price. 

Ceiling Baffles

A ceiling baffle is a great way to save space in your warehouse or workplace while still reducing sound. These are usually made of fiberglass and hang from the ceiling to break up soundwaves. Most people don’t realize how much of a difference the ceiling makes in an enclosed room for creating sound pollution. Think about how much a ceiling contains sound versus if it were open to the sky. It truly does trap sound and creates noise hazards. Ceiling baffles provide a great sound management solution without taking up space in your workplace. 

Personal Sound Control Wear

One solution to noise pollution is for workers to wear ear protection. This may seem like a great and inexpensive way to manage sound, but it truly is the least protective overall. First of all, many trades require vocal communication between their workers. Any good ear protection also causes communication problems for workers. There is also the risk that an employee may not have suitable equipment, or they may remove it or have problems with it. This puts their hearing at risk. The importance of workplace noise control for health is a concern for the employer, and the employees are not responsible for that. Personal sound control wear can be a short-term solution, but other noise pollution solutions are best. 

Your Workplace

If your workplace is not safe, or if you aren’t sure, make sure to measure your level of noise pollution and do something about it! The importance of workplace noise control for health is clear. There are so many ways you can go about it that are cost-effective and will truly benefit your business and your workers.