Noise at the workplace, whether it's coming from the outside or created inside, can cause a lot of distractions. It can reduce productivity, interrupt internal communication, and can have a negative impact on the health of your employees. Thus, monitoring and reducing noise in the workplace is quite crucial.
Noise monitoring and analysis can help to address sounds that are too loud and can cause distraction or harm. There are different indicators which can show increased sound levels and there are various prevention methods too. You should always try and maintain a sound level at your workplace which is compatible with your local regulations.
Reducing Workplace Noise
If you run a business, where the chances of creating loud noises are high, like a manufacturing sector, then it is essential to do proper noise monitoring and reduce them to a comfortable level. Apart from that, other industries like call centres, offices, pubs, etc., should also maintain a comfortable sound level for the convenience of their employees and guests. A few tips that can help to reduce the noise level in the workplace would include:
If possible, try to use engineering controls to reduce noise at your workplace. Try to reduce the decibels at the source or in between, until it reaches the ear. Start to use tools that make less noise, address all types of maintenance issues, and protect your office by sound-proofing it, so that you can get rid of hazardous noise.
You can also limit your employees' exposure to noise by addressing the administrative side. Limit the time an individual spends near the source of the high-decibel sound. You can also offer them sound-proof rooms during break times.
In some cases, limiting the time when a given employee is exposed to loud noises would not be enough to protect their ears. You might not be able to reduce the noise, but what you can do is offer your employees hearing protection devices.
You should also give proper training and knowledge to your staff about dangerous noise levels. Being the owner, or as a part of the higher management, you must protect your employees and offer them a comfortable and healthy working environment. Install tools that would help them identify dangerous noises so that they would know when and how to stay protected.
The final thing that you can do is offer occupational noise testing at regular intervals. Even after rectifying high levels of noise, you should continue monitoring them so that your workers stay safe. Try to establish a hearing test program, so that you would know which employees are already at risk.
Thus, noise monitoring and control is an important thing that all employers from all sectors of businesses should do. It would keep the workers safe and also increase their work productivity.
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