Workplace design

Design and lay out the workplace for reduced noise exposure

Noise paths found in a workplace

Noise paths found in a workplace

When considering a new workplace or modifying an existing one, noise emissions and noise exposure can be limited by careful choice of design, layout and the construction materials used for the building. For example, the appropriate use of absorption materials within the building can reduce or limit the effects of reflected sound (specialist help will be needed to put this into effect).

Noise risk management is a lot easier if you limit the number of employees exposed. Careful planning could segregate noisy machines from other areas where quiet operations are carried out, reducing the need for noise control after the workplace is in operation (see also the section on screens and barriers). The number of employees working in noisy areas should be kept to a minimum.

Use of absorption

Use of absorption

When considering using noise-absorbing materials to change the acoustic characteristics of a work area remember:

Screens and barriers - placing an obstacle between the noise source and the people

Segregation of noisy operation

Segregation of noisy operation

Screens, barriers or walls can be placed between the source of the noise and the people to stop or reduce the direct sound. Barriers should be constructed from a dense material, eg brick or sheet steel, although chipboard and plasterboard can be used.

Screens and barriers work best when they are placed close to the noise source or close to the people you are trying to protect. The higher and wider they are, the more effective they are likely to be. They work best in rooms with either high or sound-absorbent ceilings.

Covering the barrier or screen with noise-absorbing material on the side facing the noise source will have the added advantage of reducing the sound reflected back into that area containing the noise source. Those workplaces which have already been treated with sound-absorbing material will help to create conditions which will allow the screen or barrier to perform to its maximum potential, since in these cases the direct noise is likely to be the dominant source.

CAUTION: Be aware of the following when using screens or barriers:

Refuges - noise-reduced enclosures for people

Noise refuges can be a practical solution in situations where noise control is very difficult, or where only occasional attendance in noisy areas is necessary. The design of refuges will be similar to that of acoustic enclosures, although since the purpose is to keep noise out rather than in, lining the inner surfaces with acoustic absorbent material will not be necessary.

If machine controls are brought into the refuge, and thought is given to allowing remote monitoring or viewing of machinery and processes, it should be possible to minimise the amount of time that workers have to spend outside the refuge – so maximising the benefit of having the refuge. For example, a refuge that is used for only half a shift will achieve no more than 3 dB reduction in noise exposure.

Refuges must be acceptable to employees. This means they must be of a reasonable size, well lit and ventilated and have good ergonomic seating.

CAUTION: Check your refuge design for:

Distance - increase the distance between the source of the noise and the people

Increasing the distance between a person and the noise source can reduce noise exposure considerably. Some examples of this are:

Updated 2017-09-05