An essential part of the industrial workplace, heavy equipment and large machinery benefit the industrial world in myriad ways. While this may be true, in this day and age, heavy equipment constitutes the largest contributor to workplace noise for both the environment and employees. In order to combat the problems of workplace noise, acoustical engineering consultants offer a variety of acoustical treatments to help minimize the disturbance.
Why Are Acoustical Enclosures Necessary?
There are numerous reasons why acoustical enclosures should be integrated into noisy workplaces.
- Converging Residential and Industrial Areas
- Employee Exposure to Repeated Damaging Noise Levels
- OSHA Safety Requirements
Acoustical engineering companies can offer various solutions to noise pollution issues in the workplace.
Converging Residential and Industrial Areas
Over the course of the last few decades, a rise in urbanization and industrialization has increased the converging rate of residential and industrial areas. With the proximity shrinking between the heavy machinery used in various industries to residential neighborhoods, noise pollution has become an increasingly bothersome issue. Long term exposure to disruptive noise levels can cause discomfort and possible health problems such as:
- Higher Blood Pressure
- Disrupts Sleep Patterns
- Increased Stress Levels
Employee Exposure to Damaging Noise Levels
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has estimated the exposure to damaging noise levels affects approximately twenty-two million workers each year.
Short-term exposure to loud noises can create a temporary change in hearing which can result in the sensation that your ears are stuffed up. It might also result in tinnitus which is a ringing in the ears. In most cases, those conditions will improve after a few hours’ time.
Repeated exposure to dangerous noise levels can:
- Permanent Hearing Loss
- Psychological Stress
- Permanent Ringing in the Ears
- Reduced Productivity
- Physical Stress
- Lowered Concentration
- More Workplace Accidents
OSHA Safety Requirements
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration provides requirements for employers to follow to ensure the safety of their employees. One such requirement strives to prevent occupational hearing loss. When those employees are exposed to eighty-five decibels over the course of an eight-hour work day, hearing damage can occur. OSHA works to educate employees on how to protect and preserve their hearing by using safeguards and hearing protection devices.
Acoustical Engineering Services
While every workplace has noise, how much noise is too much? The CDC offers guidelines to define those dangerous ranges. When noise levels reach eighty-five decibels it can cause damage after eight hours. However, at ninety-five decibels, damage can occur in less than an hour.
Acoustical engineering consultants can offer solutions to diminish dangerous noise levels. Reach out to IES-2000 for more information about noise management and what can be done about it. Our team of consultants can address your noise issues.