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When Soundproofing Materials are Necessary

It isn’t a secret that noise from industrial machinery can be a pain, not only to residents living near plants and warehouses, but more importantly (and quite literally) to the employees that work in very close proximity that machinery day in and day out. According to a recent study, around 30 million U.S. workers are exposed to hazardous noise on the job site. In fact, one of the most common occupational health concerns in the nation is noise-induced hearing loss, which affects thousands of workers every year. Unfortunately, this type of hearing loss (caused by long term exposure to loud noise) is often permanent and can not be remedied with hearing aids or even surgery. In addition to hearing loss, high noise levels also induce psychological stress and decrease productivity as concentration and communication are hindered. Accidents in the workplace and injuries can also occur if warning signals are difficult to hear. For all of these reasons, industrial companies have the important responsibility of sound proofing their facilities.

So, how do you know if installing soundproofing materials in your facility is necessary? What are the signs that machinery is producing hazardous levels of noise? The first step is simple observation and discussion with employees about their experience in the workplace. If workers have to shout to be heard by others an arm’s length away, if workers hear humming or ringing in the ears when leaving work, or if workers experience temporary hearing loss when leaving work then something should probably be done to minimize noise levels. On the more technical side, decibel measurements should be taken, so that OSHA requirements are met. Another safety organization, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), had even stricter recommendations in regard to noise levels. While OSHA’s permissible exposure limit was initially 90 dBA for 8 hours of exposure, NIOSH places the limit at 85 dBA for the same 8 hours and OSHA adopted that requirement in 1981.

There are several options when it comes to soundproofing an industrial facility. Machinery and acoustical enclosures made from acoustical blankets or foam are a common resource. These can be floor-mounted as well suspended in order to create an enclosure. Other effective noise control products include wall panels, drop tile ceiling barriers, baffles, banners, and duct liners. These usually come in a variety of materials including foam, cotton and vinyl. If you are unsure of the best way to soundproof your facility in regards to worker safety, it would be wise to consult a provider of soundproofing materials and discuss the most appropriate solutions for your particular applications and operations. Put your workers’ safety first and comply with OSHA requirements; contact a noise control solution provider today.