Reduce noise in your business for better health and safety
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Noise in the workplace is a health and safety issue and also affects other areas of your business. Too much noise can cause hearing damage, lead to distraction and lead to a drop in productivity. As an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure that all noise levels are safe to prevent hearing loss and accidents. It’s also a good idea to consider how keeping noise lower can make it easier for some people to work. By reducing noise, you can create a healthier and safer workplace, plus boost productivity when people are able to concentrate on their work with fewer distractions.
Measure noise
Before you start cutting down on noise, it makes sense to know how much noise you’re making. By measuring the noise levels, you can get an understanding of how you might need to improve. It’s a good idea to check for legal noise limits too so that you know what level you’re required to stay under by law. As well as getting a baseline measurement for how many decibels of noise you’re making in different areas, you should measure noise levels regularly. You might even have permanent sensors installed to measure noise levels at all times.
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Better design of work areas
The way work areas are designed can make a big difference to how sound carries and the noise levels your business experiences. If you know that you have particularly noisy machines, putting them in a separate area to other activities can be helpful. It can provide more quiet for your workers so that they’re less distracted and can work more productively. You might also use sound barriers, absorbers, and reflectors to keep the noise to a minimum and try to contain it to a specific area. These steps can help to lower noise levels in various working environments.
Maintain your machinery
Machinery might be louder than necessary if it’s not well maintained. Lack of lubrication or worn-down parts could mean more noise. Machine maintenance not only keeps things running smoothly but can provide a chance for upgrades too. You can look for V belt suppliers and swap out the belts on some of your machines for a smoother, quieter operation. Preventative maintenance is the best way to keep all of your machinery in good condition, instead of waiting for something to go wrong. Schedule regular checks and servicing to protect your equipment and reduce noise.
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Protect your employees
It’s your job as an employer to protect your employees’ hearing. If it’s not possible to reduce the noise, you need to provide them with protective equipment that they can use to protect their ears. This might include ear muffs or earplugs, as well as limiting the amount of time your employees spend doing loud tasks or in noisy areas. Hearing protection needs to be maintained to ensure it’s functional and you should have clearly displayed signs designating areas where it should be worn.
You can improve health and safety for your business by reducing noise to create a healthier working environment.
