Finding Industrial Strength Solutions For Industrial Strength Noise Pollution

Is noise pollution ringing in your head? Typically when we complain about noise pollution, it involves a congested highway of honking vehicles, or a stereo that our rude neighbors are blasting at insanely late hours at night. However, there’s one type of noise pollution that we seem to address less frequently. That’s workplace noise pollution.

Why do we complain less about workplace noise pollution? That’s probably because noise in the workplace seems natural. We use heavy duty machines to do work, and they make noise. It’s part of the job, right? Well, it’s not that simple. About 3.5 million Australians (about 17% of the population) have experienced some type of permanent hearing loss.

Workplace noise pollution can originate from a wide variety of sources, including machinery, vibrating equipment, traffic, music, and so on. Within time, workplace noise pollution can actually seem normal until the noise halts abruptly. When that happens, it’s possible that you could observe a significant difference in the workplace environment. But it could be too late then.

In fact, noise pollution remains one the largest workplace hazards that are unrecognized. That’s not to say that every Australian worker experiences unhealthy levels of noise pollution. However, workers annually make a substantial number of industrial deafness claims in Australia.

While such hazards often exist in places such as factories, they occur in a broad range of industries, including healthcare and farming. Thus, it’s important to understand the seriousness of noise pollution in the workplace.

Besides the obvious hearing problems that noise pollution can cause, it can cause various other types of physical and psychological stresses. For example, excess noise pollution in the workplace can result in decreased concentration levels. These stresses can subsequently result in various other health problems.

Regardless of the sources of noise pollution in the workplace, it’s vital to minimize the amount, in order to safeguard employees. Not only can such noise impact one’s mind and body, but it can also negatively influence communication in the workplace. And that can create results including lower productivity and accidents.

What are the solutions for excess workplace noise pollution? The law requires Australian companies to adhere to the Code of Practice, which recommends maximum noise levels for Australian work environments. Some of its recommendations for reducing noise pollution in the workplace include:

* Using replacement equipment that produces lower emissions of noise

* Handling sources of excess vibration in engines or machines

* Adding sound-absorbing materials to lower noise emissions

* Using noise-reducing products to lower contact between pieces of metal

* Engaging in necessary lubrication and replacement of bearings

* Verifying that workers correctly install equipment

You should check that the company you work for is adhering to these standards. Although it may be easier to keep quiet now, you may suffer in the long run - long after you've finished employment with the company. The worst thing is that it is you who will have to live with the consequences. And that can mean something as extreme as some permanent hearing loss.

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