6/16/2023 0 Comments Decibel chart of common soundsAvoid crowding too many workstations into one area. Define corridors with either partitions or free-standing screens. They should be located away from high-traffic areas, so that people can work without being distracted. When arranging the layout of workstations, allow sufficient space between them. Heavy drapes or sound-absorbing wall decorations will also help. Use office dividers to reduce or redirect sound away from workstations. For those you can’t eliminate, take steps to prevent further propagation or amplification of noise.įurnish walls, ceilings, and other large surfaces with sound absorptive materials. Noise prevention begins with identifying all of the noise sources in the office. Some people, however, find music in the office intensely annoying. Music can provide mental stimulation while performing monotonous tasks which can help to reduce stress levels in the office. Music in the workplace, either from piped-in music or from a radio, is sometimes used to mask sounds. Encourage people to speak in lowered voices and to carry on conversations where they will not disturb others. ![]() Occupant-generated sounds can usually be dealt with by no more than a friendly reminder to keep the volume down. They include in-person as well as telephone conversations, radios, and movement within the office. Occupant-generated sounds can be a major source of noise in the office. Practise good maintenance to prevent noise from squeaking chair bearings, door hinges, moving equipment parts and other sources by lubricating them. Don’t place noisy equipment against a hard wall or in a corner as the sound will be reflected back into the workplace. Noisy equipment should be grouped together in an area away from workstations, preferably in a separate room. photocopiers) will produce a lot of noise no matter what model you buy. High-quality office equipment should function with a minimum of noise. If you plan to purchase new office equipment, keep in mind the amount of noise produced. For example, the noise generated by running a photocopier may not annoy the operator, but it may be distracting to people in adjacent work spaces. Equipment-generated noise is usually transient and the sensitivity to equipment sounds varies from person to person. Sources of equipment-generated noise include telephones, photocopiers, computers, or other office equipment. Others, such as the noise from the ventilation system, may require major alterations to building systems. Some sources of noise can be minimized with minor adjustments. Workplace sounds can be steady (such as the continuous hum from a ventilation system or a computer), intermittent (sound which comes and goes), or impact (sounds of short duration, such as the snap of an electric stapler).Ī variety of sounds can be heard in the average office- anything from the sound of a ringing telephone to the background hum of a ventilation system. Sound levels in most offices are in the 45-60 dB range, well below the range for possible hearing damage. ![]() The guidelines are typically given as the maximum duration of exposure permitted for various decibel levels. ![]() Noise exposure guidelines for the workplace are set to prevent exposure to sound at volumes that can cause hearing damage. Noise has been recognized as an occupational hazard in certain workplaces for many years. At high levels, noise can cause such problems as headaches, nausea and hearing loss. Sudden unexpected noises can startle and cause accidents. Even at low levels, unwanted sounds can constitute health and safety hazards by increasing stress levels, and impairing communication and concentration.
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