Too many noise impulses in the workplace can put a strain on the health of employees in the long term. Noise occurs in the workplace more often than you think. Sounds are often only perceived subliminally and yet they are stressful for the body. The security professionals explain when a noise is classified as noise and what can be done about it.
Not every noise can be classified as noise
Noise is any noise that affects human well-being or health in any way. However, it depends on how a noise is evaluated and in what situation it occurs. In work that requires a high level of concentration, even a slight noise can disturb and impair the flow of work. People find those noises annoying that they consider unnecessary because they are not natural. This includes, above all, noises from technical devices and machines.
Sources of noise in the workplace
High noise levels are particularly high in industrial work and in the construction industry, where (construction) machinery causes a high noise level. But it also gets loud in areas that are not initially obviously associated with noise and high volumes, such as educational institutions and offices. In the office, classic sources of noise are colleagues talking and talking on the phone, as well as noises from office equipment and open windows
Disturbing noises in interaction with the body
Long-term occupational noise exposure, especially in the industrial and construction sectors, can lead to serious health consequences that result in a loss of joie de vivre and quality of life. A permanently high noise and noise level leads to psychological and physiological stress, which can result in stress reactions that have a negative effect on concentration and performance. With regard to the workplace, §6 of the Noise and Vibration Occupational Health and Safety Ordinance specifies two values:
- At a volume of 80 decibels, the employer must provide its employees with earmuffs. This hearing protection should be used by employees to reduce or avoid the increased noise level.
- The noise is greatly increased at a volume of 85 decibels or at a peak sound pressure of 137 decibels. In this case, the employer must not only provide hearing protection, but also actually check the use, as it must be worn.
If employers want to be sure that there is no psychological and physiological stress due to high volumes, level limits must be observed. For example, a maximum volume of 55 dB is recommended by law for office work for predominantly demanding mental activities, which corresponds to the sound of rain or a quiet conversation.
The protection professionals give tips for more peace of mind
First of all, it should be analyzed where noise sources and causes are present in the company. To do this, the volume in the individual rooms can be checked, complaints from employees can be collected or the works council can be discussed.
- Identify sources of noise and, for example, replace unnecessarily loud tools or machines
- Increase the distance between the noise source and the workplace
- Setting up enveloping partition walls/partition walls between individual workstations
- ensure sufficient absorption so that noises do not echo off the walls, but are swallowed as much as possible (carpets, partitions, sound sails, etc.)
- Organizational measures to allow employees to work in a noisy environment only for a limited time
- Provide hearing protection (mandatory from an average exposure of 85 dB(A))
Hearing protection is available in a wide variety of variants, both earmuffs and earplugs are suitable for protecting the ears from noise. Further important specialist information on the subject of noise is available from several employers' liability insurance associations. Further specialist information on the subject of noise is provided by the Berufsgenossenschaft Bau, among others, on its website. But we are also always happy to receive tips and feedback from our readers.