Workplaces can be noisy environments with the combination of work activities, machines operating, people talking, background music and loudspeaker announcements. For people who are sensitive to noise, they may find it difficult to hear, have poor concentration or experience pain from loud or sudden noises which can potentially impact on safety and reduced work performance.
Learning to manage sensitivity to noise at work can ensure people are able to focus fully on their job or task and participate fully in their role within the workplace.
Workplace adjustments and solutions
For people with sensitivity to noise, a number of strategies can be considered within the workplace:
- consider the provision of opportunities to work from home or in alternative locations such as a private office where noise levels are lower
- consider the provision of flexible work schedules to enable people to structure their work tasks at times or places where the noise levels are lower
- avoid yelling or the use of raised voices as it can distort the message
- limit the use of music in the workplace as this creates extra noise
- substituting old equipment as new equipment as new equipment is often quieter
- retro—fitting existing equipment with dampening material, mufflers or enclosures
- adding sound absorbing materials to equipment
- relocate equipment to a more isolated, sound proofed area away from workers or consider installation of partitioning.
There are also a range of products and supports that can be fitted to the workplace:
Aids can also be used by people to reduce noise levels and distraction:
Also, when working in noisy or loud environments, people with hearing impairments may require specialist aids or supports to assist them to hear better or more clearly such as:
References
Better Health Channel 2010, Hearing problems—reduced tolerance to sound, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 26 February 2012, http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Hearing_problems_reduced_tolerance_to_sound?open.
Better Health Channel 2011, Workplace safety—noise pollution, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 26 February 2012, http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Workplace_safety_noise_pollution.
Laborer’s Health and Safety Fund of North America (no date specified), Controlling Noise on Construction Sites, Laborer’s Health and Safety Fund of North America, Washington, viewed 26 February 2012, http://www.lhsfna.org/files/bpguide.pdf