Hi All,

Just wanted to gather some thoughts on 'Noise Activated Warning Signs'. Just had an ad come through from a company selling them and was wondering how these would fit in our duty of care.

So we have an area where hearing protection is required, however the activities which genterate the noise are sparadic (cutting, grinding etc). Usual controls in place with the instruction that as the area is a noise zone, PPE must be worn. 

I like the idea of the signs, maybe outside the doors to the area (not sure how they work in terms of sensors), so if going into the area you know to put your PPE on and anything which means the Operatives wouldn't have to wear PPE all day would always be welcome by them.

However what happens if the noise starts up whilst you are in the area and then your in a mad rush to put on your PPE or you didnt pick any up on the way in. I've always been a beliver that you can't give people the option to wear PPE, if its a control measure then it must be worn regardless if the hazard is present.

I have put in place time time zones, work stops in the area at 5pm so no need to wear it after then or in the morning before work starts, but then part of me thinks thats building the wrong culture and I want people to automatically put on the PPE when going into this area.

Thoughts?

Assess the workers not the noise source - hearing protection legislation is about exposure damaging hearing not the level being generated by equipment which is covered by separate regulations.

As you realise the sign could be "off" as they pass through the door just as the noise starts.

Also what if the sensor fails? The sign itself blows a fuse? Its display fails? Someone simply unplugs it?

Someone has once again managed to solve a non-existent problem with a convoluted technical solution.

Quick internet search and some additional thoughts:

1) Calibration would be required to ensure accurate triggering

2) Sensor location would need to replicate an employees hearing zone moving within the area

3) How would a sign calculate the individual LEP,d for multiple employees working in the same area?

Edited by user 07 July 2020 12:25:34(UTC)  | Reason: additional thoughts