How to update the current (failing) noise risk management process to make it much more effective – and self-financing Noise Induced Hearing Loss claims of £400,000,000 per annum show that thousands of people are suffering hearing damage, most of which could be avoided by changing the way risk management is is carried out. A simple, innovative approach that dramatically improves the effectiveness of noise risk management was described at the BOHS
Top 10 Noise Control Solutions
Our original “Top 10” has been the first ranked industrial noise control document on the web via the UK HSE website. This is the update, 10 years on…
These are 10 simple engineering noise control techniques that have wide application across the whole of industry. In many cases, they provide substantial noise reductions quickly and at very low cost – with little or no effect on normal operation, hygiene or use. And they are often self-financing…
I’d like the Top 10 Noise Control Solutions please >
The techniques include both specific case studies plus information on ways to generalise the technology for use across a wide range of applications. Whilst it may not be possible to apply some of the examples directly, simply knowing that the technology exists changes the thought processes associated with noise control.
Our workshops in conjunction with MSIG at Lloyd’s promote the following…
Top 10 Noise Control Solutions Index and Potential Suppliers
Vibration Control
- Vibration damping
decimate noise from guards, hoppers, conveyors, tanks… - Vibration isolation pads
isolate motors, pumps, hydraulics from noise amplifying sounding boards …
Sound Damped Steel: www.sounddampedsteel.com +44 (0) 191 259 0700
Vibration isolation pads: http://www.tiflex.co.uk/tico/tico_s.html http://www.fabreeka.co.uk/Products&productId=39 http://www.farrat.com/neoprene-cr-23.html
Fans
- Fan installation and efficiency
maximum efficiency = minimum noise – fan installation best practice guide - Aerodynamic fan noise control – silencing without silencers
Quiet fan technology – retro-fit aerodynamic modifications = less noise and higher efficiency
http://www.invc.com/noise/noise-control/fan-noise-reduction/
Pneumatics
- Pneumatic exhausts
efficient silencing with zero back-pressure - Pneumatic nozzles
efficient nozzles that produce less noise and use less air for the same performance…
Silencers: http://www.silvent.com/en-uk/products/?group=1908-safety-silencers http://www.goodhanduk.co.uk/Catalogue/Compressed-Air-Products/Vacuum-Lifting-Products/E-Vac-Accessories/Straight-Through-Muffler-1-NPS-890005
http://www.servais.co.uk/products/silencers/sn112-medium-duty-absorptiv.pdf
Nozzles: http://www.beck-air.com/AirmiserNozzlesJets/tabid/73/Default.html http://www.silvent.com/en-uk/products/
Machines
- Chains and timing belts
simple modifications to reduce noise levels - Electric motors
some are easily modified and some should be sent back due to excessive noise - Hydraulic power packs
many are designed to maximise noise levels – easily corrected
Belt drives: http://www.cross-morse.co.uk/timing_belt2.asp http://www.transdev.co.uk/pages/belts/eagle/eaglepd_advantages.htm
Existing machine guards
- Convert to acoustically effective guards
existing safety guards can often be modified to make them effective acoustic guards
Hygienic acoustic absorbent: http://www.ecophon.com/uk/products/Modular-ceilings/Hygiene/Hygiene-Advance–A-C3/ http://www.customaudiodesigns.co.uk/
Technical support for all these techniques and further case studies are available from us – feel free to call or email.
The Next Step – further information and resources…
Either – click the link below to find out how to implement the noise control best practice process yourself
Or – plug-in to our expertise
The noise control diagnostic process detailed above must always be followed to evaluate what constitutes best practice. The basic process does not require a high level of engineering skill, but you can also plug-in to our expertise to update a noise risk assessment with the noise control element or evaluate the options for a noisy machine. We have a very extensive noise control best practice knowledgebase that can sometimes be accessed by email (just send us noise data, photos and smartphone recordings) or we can carry out the noise control audit following the procedure shown below. Contact us to get the definitive opinion on your noise control options.