Noise Reduction Consultants

Protecting employees from the adverse affect of noise starts with reduction.

Safer Hearing can offer expert advice and share our extensive experience on ways to reduce noise at source and limit a machines sound power output. This strategy is often the most cost effective route to a quieter workplace. 

As part of our noise measurement service we can take readings data from machinery both before and after any engineering controls have been implemented to record their effectiveness.

​Call us today on 0333 0065 002 to discuss how we can reduce your workplace noise levels.

Noise control measures in the workplace

As part of our noise reduction consultation we will identify any remedial action that is required to comply with the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 which will focus on noise control measures before moving to hearing protection requirements.

The basic steps to a quieter workplace can involve any number of noise control measures, but we most often advise on the following broad areas:

• Quieter Machines

Can machinery be run differently to generate less noise - With improved machine maintenance the noise produced may reduce significantly, for example noisy bearings can soon be silenced by proper maintenance or replacement. Machinery can also be modified or upgraded such as with compressed air release valves which greatly reduce any air hiss noise.

In the case of hand tools, some of the latest power tools are designed to produce less noise. This may require a change to the companies current buying policy to ensure quieter machines are sourced as a priority.
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• Acoustic Enclosures

Some machinery may simply be able to be enclosed to isolate it from the rest of the workplace or factory. If the operator then needs to enter an enclosure, careful planning will need to be done based on the duration and what noise they will be exposed to.

• Site Mapping

Confining noise to areas or pockets of the workplace can greatly reduce overall noise exposure. If the loudest machines  (compressors, generators etc.) can be isolated from the rest of the factory and not impact the workforce then their general exposure will decrease significantly.

The creation of a 'noise zone' where all the noisy machines is relocated together may also be an option.

• Use of Time to Limit Exposure

In certain cases, it may simply not be possible to reduce the noise to safe levels. At this point, the options are use of suitable Personal Protective Equipment to protect the workforce or use time as the limiting factor. Safer Hearing has programmes for both these eventualities.