Industrial environments are essential for modern production and development, but they often come with an overlooked byproduct—excessive noise. When it comes to protecting the workers, noise pollution is one of those concerns that top management tends to cast aside in favor of mitigating the more problematic issues of occupational safety. What most people tend to overlook, however, is that noise pollution actually can have major effects on an individual’s health, performance, and overall well-being.
In this article, we will cover what industrial noise pollution exactly is, why managing it is important, and the different types of industrial noise to take note of. We’ll also discuss how businesses can take steps—such as the correct types of doors installed—to reduce its impact on both people and productivity in the workplace.
What is Industrial Noise Pollution?
Industrial noise can be defined as a perpetual sound generated by machinery or equipment in industrial environments. It’s the type of noise that is continuously generated by machinery, equipment, or processes in factories, manufacturing plants, construction sites, and other industrial settings. It is classified as pollution mainly due to its potential to negatively affect or possibly even damage an individual’s health and well-being.
Unlike everyday noise, industrial noise is often louder, more consistent, and more disruptive than general environmental noise, and can have far-reaching effects on both people and operations. It tends to be persistent, with sound waves traveling through the air and materials, sometimes affecting even nearby communities. It’s no wonder, then, that both the World Health Organization (WHO) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards stated that prolonged exposure to this type of noise can and will lead to hearing damage and significant health problems.
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The Main Types of Industrial Noise
Understanding the different types of industrial noise is crucial for effective noise management. While the types of noise can be classified based on their sources, characteristics, and impact, below are the main types of industrial noise:
1. Continuous Noise
This type of noise is constant all throughout the workday without interruption. Common sources of continuous noise pollution include but are not limited to factory production line equipment, industrial machinery, manufacturing equipment or heavy machinery, and ventilation shaft systems. Continuous sounds like these produce loud sounds that can easily drown out auditory sensation.
2. Intermittent Noise
This type of noise is infrequent and varies depending on the current operation process in the industrial area. Its infrequent nature allows this type of noise to be looked over sometimes. Having said that, it is still not conducive to a safe environment unless proper guidelines are followed. Common sources of intermittent noise pollution include but are not limited to heavy machinery on a cyclical operation procedure, hydraulic heavy pumps, and klaxon warnings for production line errors.
3. Impulsive or Impact based Noise
This type of loud noise is generally heard in quick bursts followed by a temporary lull. Common sources of impulsive noise include punch presses used in fabrication or manufacturing, mechanical hammering of metals, and metallurgy workshops. More commonly found in manufacturing industrial areas, these activities generate significantly high frequencies of industrial noise.
4. Low-Frequency Noise
The less audible type of industrial noise, low-frequency noise can sometimes be heard as a gentle humming of power generators, but can also present as pressure in the ears. You may have heard this type of industrial noise in industrial generators, industrial fans, and centralized heating equipment.
Nonetheless, due to its nature, this type of industrial noise can travel farther than the previous examples. Greater care must be taken in order to mitigate any and all negative effects this can have on both workers and their environment.
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Why Does Controlling Industrial Noise Matter for Your Business?
Controlling industrial noise is not just a regulatory requirement—it’s a smart business strategy that can have a positive ripple effect on various aspects of your operations. When finalizing an industrial structure’s layout, it is in an engineer’s best interest to incorporate noise mitigation strategies. When industrial noise is managed effectively, companies can create a more efficient, safe, and harmonious working environment, while emphasizing that it values the health and well-being of their workers.
Significant Impacts of Industrial Noise Pollution
- Enhanced Productivity and Efficiency: Industrial noise in general is not conducive to an efficient work environment since noise can affect the workers in any number of ways, from distracting them, to annoying them and in the worst cases debilitating them and hampering their ability to work at all.
- Worker Health and Well-Being: Aside from workers not being able to perform their duties as efficiently, their health will also be heavily impacted by the quantity and severity of noise within the environment.
- Legal Compliance: Most cities and municipalities already have a threshold of acceptable noise pollution measured in decibels. However, certain government agencies also mandate strict guidelines to ensure that health and safety guidelines are strictly observed.
Best Practices for Controlling Industrial Noise
As industrial noise will almost always be present, the best workaround is to design everything with noise reduction in mind. When deciding which machinery goes where, be sure to surround it with the appropriate material such as sound absorbing walls. Soundproofing designated areas for heavy machinery is also a good idea.
Apart from proper planning beforehand, listed below are some of the best actionable practices for controlling industrial noise.
- Install Noise Barriers: Use sound walls or partitions to isolate noisy machinery from the rest of the workplace. These barriers can absorb sound and reduce the overall noise level.
- Soundproof Doors and Windows: Industrial-grade doors, like those from Janus Steel, can significantly reduce noise transmission between different areas of the facility.
- Maintain Equipment: Regular maintenance of machinery ensures that they operate efficiently, producing less noise. Worn parts often generate additional noise, so keeping equipment in good condition is key.
- Use Vibration Isolation Mounts: These mounts can be placed under noisy equipment to reduce vibration noise, one of the major contributors to structural noise in industrial settings.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): While not a solution on its own, providing employees with hearing protection can offer immediate relief from high noise levels.
Let Janus Steel’s Industrial Doors Enhance Your Workplace with Effective Sound Control
Reducing industrial noise pollution is not only essential for worker safety and business efficiency but also for legal compliance and community well-being. If you’re looking to enhance noise control in your industrial facility, investing in high-quality soundproofing solutions is the way forward.
This is where Janus Steel can help. With a wide selection of industrial doors, we’ve got the perfect door designed specifically for industrial settings. These doors help minimize noise transfer and improve the overall working environment, contributing to a more productive and safer space. Janus Steel is your gateway to stylish and secure steel doors. Inquire now!
