Industrial Noise Control: A Step Toward Making Workplace Safe

Industrial noise control is used to reduce sound produced in the industrial sector. This is applied in construction sites, manufacturing facilities, factories and other sectors that produce high levels of noise. This increased level of noise produced in different industries can create challenges for the health of the workers, apart from raising concerns in communication and compliance. The noise in the industrial sector often comes from welding, drilling, grinding, and other mechanical operations. Different equipment used in industries, such as turbines, pumps, compressors, and others are also the major source of noise in the sector. The intensity of this noise is measured in decibels and has a regulatory limit for different industries. If this limit is crossed, it can lead to serious health concerns, increase in levels of stress, reduction of concentration, and may lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss. 

The main aim of industrial noise control is to improve the working environment, while protecting the workers from harmful effects associated with a lot of noise. It also ensures that there is a limited effect on the residents living nearby. Engineering control, personal protective equipment and administrative control are the major methods adopted by different industries for industrial noise control. The majorly adopted and sustainable method is engineering control, which aims to eliminate noise at the source. For instance, enclosing the machines that create noise in soundproof environment, using sound-absorbing panels, installing silencers, and more. Usage of earplugs and earmuffs to curb the noise produced comes under personal protective equipment. This helps reduce the level of noise that reaches the ear of the worker and is not a permanent solution at the industry level. In some industries, workers are placed in rotating shifts for the usage of high-noise tasks, or these tasks are scheduled in off-hours. This method is termed administrative control, which allows elimination of noise for a certain duration and reduces the intensity of exposure. 

Trends shaping next-gen noise control systems 

Rise in awareness of impact of health associated with high level of noise boosts the growth of the industrial noise control sector. A lot of people are aware that an increase in noise decibel may lead to hearing loss as well as a reduction in productivity. This makes way for industries to create methods to reduce noise within the working environment. In addition, there has been an increase in usage of quieter equipment and noise control systems installed to minimize exposure to harmful noise within the construction sector. 

Recent advancements in industrial noise reduction 

Today, industrial noise control is an important part of modern workplace safety owing to rise in regulations by the government to reduce noise level and increase the safety of the environment for the workers. This makes way for industries to introduce industrial noise control equipment with advanced technologies and automation that lead to reduction of sound at the workplace. Industrials are using acoustic enclosures, sound-absorbing panels, damping materials, and more to curb the produced noise. There is an increase in the research and development on reducing the noise in the energy sector. Researchers are inventing devices with design modification or material innovation to reduce acoustic emission within the sector. Usage of acoustic curtains, portable noise barriers and more have gained prominence in construction and mining sectors. In addition, vibration isolation pads, tunnel linings, and floating slab tracks have gained traction in the transport infrastructure sector, which decreases the noise produced by train systems, aircraft engines and others. 

 

Moreover, usage of artificial intelligence in industrial noise control sector enables real-time monitoring of noise levels along with predicting equipment failures and optimizing acoustic performance. The shift in trend toward usage of eco-friendly and sustainable materials also leads to innovation in devices used for industrial noise control. These innovative devices are made from biodegradable and recyclable materials to ensure they are environmentally friendly.  

Summing up 

Industrial noise control plays an important role in monitoring and maintaining the health and safety of the workers. It refers to the implementation of appropriate controls that make the workplace safe and efficient. It involves monitoring and assessment of noise on a regular basis. Different dosimeters and sound level meters are used to measure the noise created at the industry and their levels are monitored to ensure safe working environment. In addition, integration of smart sensors and automated noise monitoring devices offer proper analysis of sound levels are the industrial sites. 

 

Short Description 

Industrial noise control aims to reduce noise from the workplace. It is used in construction sites, power plants, and other industrial settings that produce noise and aims to protect the health of the workers and make the working environment safe. Different technologies and innovations in the noise control sector increase their adoption in various industries. In addition, government regulations on curbing noise from the industries also lead to an increase in adoption of industrial noise control in the sector.