| ise pollution ringing in your head? Typically when we | | | | physical and psychological stresses. For example, |
| complain about noise pollution, it involves a congested | | | | excess noise pollution in the workplace can result in |
| highway of honking vehicles, or a stereo that our rude | | | | decreased concentration levels. These stresses can |
| neighbors are blasting at insanely late hours at night. | | | | subsequently result in various other health problems. |
| However, there’s one type of noise pollution | | | | Regardless of the sources of noise pollution in the |
| that we seem to address less frequently. | | | | workplace, it’s vital to minimize the amount, in |
| That’s workplace noise pollution. | | | | order to safeguard employees. Not only can such |
| Why do we complain less about workplace noise | | | | noise impact one’s mind and body, but it can |
| pollution? That’s probably because noise in the | | | | also negatively influence communication in the |
| workplace seems natural. We use heavy duty | | | | workplace. And that can create results including lower |
| machines to do work, and they make noise. It’s | | | | productivity and accidents. |
| part of the job, right? Well, it’s not that simple. | | | | What are the solutions for excess workplace noise |
| About 3.5 million Australians (about 17% of the | | | | pollution? The law requires Australian companies to |
| population) have experienced some type of | | | | adhere to the Code of Practice, which recommends |
| permanent hearing loss. | | | | maximum noise levels for Australian work |
| Workplace noise pollution can originate from a wide | | | | environments. Some of its recommendations for |
| variety of sources, including machinery, vibrating | | | | reducing noise pollution in the workplace include: |
| equipment, traffic, music, and so on. Within time, | | | | * Using replacement equipment that produces lower |
| workplace noise pollution can actually seem normal until | | | | emissions of noise |
| the noise halts abruptly. When that happens, it’s | | | | * Handling sources of excess vibration in engines or |
| possible that you could observe a significant difference | | | | machines |
| in the workplace environment. But it could be too late | | | | * Adding sound-absorbing materials to lower noise |
| then. | | | | emissions |
| In fact, noise pollution remains one the largest | | | | * Using noise-reducing products to lower contact |
| workplace hazards that are unrecognized. | | | | between pieces of metal |
| That’s not to say that every Australian worker | | | | * Engaging in necessary lubrication and replacement of |
| experiences unhealthy levels of noise pollution. | | | | bearings |
| However, workers annually make a substantial number | | | | * Verifying that workers correctly install equipment |
| of industrial deafness claims in Australia. | | | | You should check that the company you work for is |
| While such hazards often exist in places such as | | | | adhering to these standards. Although it may be easier |
| factories, they occur in a broad range of industries, | | | | to keep quiet now, you may suffer in the long run - |
| including healthcare and farming. Thus, it’s | | | | long after you've finished employment with the |
| important to understand the seriousness of noise | | | | company. The worst thing is that it is you who will |
| pollution in the workplace. | | | | have to live with the consequences. And that can |
| Besides the obvious hearing problems that noise | | | | mean something as extreme as some permanent |
| pollution can cause, it can cause various other types of | | | | hearing loss. |