Addressing Loud Noises in the Workplace

Noise hazards in the workplace are a common occurrence; they can be effectively addressed through a series of measures that include such simple actions as moving the machines into different spaces or using software enhanced sound maps to design working spaces. This paper will discuss a workspace area that is 10,000 square feet, contains 12-foot high concrete block walls, and a flat metal roof.

The shop contains a variety of working areas each containing one of the following machines; two band saws, two metal lathes, three drill presses, one milling machine and three abrasive grinders. The study looks at various features of the building, the space the machine occupies, how the noise levels can be effectively reduced, and how the employees will be effected by these actions.

A recent study determined states that "noise level distribution is calculated based on sound theory with the assumption that machines are modeled as point sources" (Lomen, Mihailovic, Cveticanin, 2012, p. 1). Based on that statement, determining the positioning of the machines specified in this study is of utmost importance. The Lomen et al. study also states that computer software can calculate the noise levels from input data and then determine where the machines should be placed in order to achieve maximum efficiency in noise reduction. In fact what the Lomen et al.

study did was analyze the influence of the variation of machine positions and that their study concluded "that noise reduction could be achieved by location management of office equipment in the workspace" (p. 1). It is suggested that this study use the same type of software in order to determine where the machines should be placed in order to achieve the same results. The reason for this suggestion is that there is some concern towards the employees based on the decibel levels in the workspace.

This study found that the machines in use throughout the facility generate sound pressure levels exceeding 100 dBA in some parts of the shop and that monitoring the employees provided data that noise exposure averaged 88 dBA -- 97 dBA during an eight-hour workday, and that measures should be taken to reduce the risk of hearing loss by these employees. Using the risk assessment table it was determined by the researcher that the employee risk could be categorized as a "frequent risk" with resulting "marginal to catastrophic" effects.

The researcher developed these conclusions on the fact that the employees worked in an environment where loud noise was a constant and that "one-third of all hearing loss cases stem in part from loud noises in modern life" (Williams, 1992, p. 25). There are a number of actions that can be taken to lessen the effects of the noise in the workplace cited herein. Noise management positioning is just one of the six areas that will be discussed by this study.

Those six areas include; 1) elimination of the noise, 2) substitution of different machines or processes, 3) engineering controls, 4) administrative controls, 5) personal protective equipment and 6) warnings. Noise management by placing the machines in different areas could be classified as engineering controls or elimination of the noise. Since it can be assumed that not all the machines are being used at the same time, perhaps the lesser used machines can be strategically placed nearer to the more actively used machines.

This would likely result in a lower decibel level overall and would allow the employees to be further apart from each other and the other machines for longer periods of time. Another engineering task could be to change the flat steel roof overhead to one that allows noise dispersion.

Changing the roof to allow for the absorption of noise rather than the reflecting of noise is not necessarily a simple matter but could be as easy as painting the steel with a noise-absorbing paint, while a more expensive option could be to raise the roof and make it concave in shape. A 2014 study determined that "if due attention is given for the protection against noise during the design, the plastered rock wool (RW) slab facade thermal insulation systems can result in better sound insulation performance" (Kocsis, 2014, p. 137).

In other words an insulation system could be introduced to the walls (and even the steel roof) as another engineering method of addressing the issue. Eliminating the noise of the machines is almost an impossibility, but lessening the noise levels can be accomplished through noise reduction techniques such as moving the machines or purchasing newer and quieter machines, which could also be.