A new study suggests excessive noise levels are jeopardising industrial performance
- Over half (52%) admit that their working environment is not acoustically designed for them to do their job safely, with 20% being driven to quit their job
- A quarter of employees have snapped at colleagues and a similar number have vented to their bosses due to noise
- A fifth of industrial workers have sought medical attention for hearing issues caused at their workplace
Rochester, Kent, 15th August 2024, 9.00 am: Oscar Acoustics, Great Britain’s leading specialists in architectural acoustic finishes, has found that acute levels of noise in factories, workshops and warehouses are impeding productivity, with two in three workers questioned (66%) saying so. This rises to 70% of forklift drivers.
Despite the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005[1] coming into effect 36 years ago, the survey findings suggest on-site decibels from machinery and vehicles are causing a decline in output, as well as impacting worker wellbeing.
Oscar Acoustics’ latest research study, ‘Silence the Noise’, focuses on the concerns of employees – particularly those working in loud manufacturing and logistics environments. 250 employers and 500 employees took part in the study, which revealed the majority of workplace settings simply aren’t cut out for dealing with mechanical and vehicular noise.
Over half of those surveyed (52%) said that their working environment is either not well (23%) or not very well designed (29%), to do their jobs safely. One in six (16%) say their building has neither been constructed nor significantly refurbished in the last 10 years suggesting outdated occupational design.
The exclusive research shows the impact excessive noise at work can have on employee actions. Almost a quarter (23%) of employees surveyed have snapped at a co-worker, whilst the same percentage (23%) have snapped at a manager due to excessive noise.
In addition, a fifth (20%) of employees surveyed have resorted to physical violence, whilst the same percentage (20%) have quit their job, and just under a fifth (19%) of employees surveyed have made a formal complaint due to excessive noise at work.
Respondents commonly reported negative health effects due to high noise levels, such as headaches (26%), hearing difficulties/tinnitus/hearing loss (25%), and stress/anxiety (24%).
The two biggest noise bugbears were heavy machinery and a lack of noise control. Two in five workers (40%) agreed these elements were the most frustrating aspects of workplace noise. Unsurprisingly, a quarter of staff (25%) were delivering poor quality work as a result of high noise levels at work.
This casts a shadow on UK manufacturing, at a time when it contributes a quarter of the UK’s GDP.[2] Meanwhile, the Career Happiness Index, curated by The Futures Group, found staff from the manufacturing, transport and logistics industry are the least happy workers, out of ten main sectors in the UK.
The Oscar Acoustics’ report also flags a perceived lack of empathy amongst employers. A significant portion of employees questioned (35%) felt a complaint would have ‘no influence on management to address the matter’.
What’s clear is that bosses largely remain in the dark about the issue. When asked if they recognise how noise in their work environment can lead to a variety of health issues, the percentage that understood potential health implications never rose above a third. This is despite half of employers (49%) believing that acoustic design is important in the workplace.
Less than three in ten (28%) had introduced protective equipment such as ear defenders but these can pose other health and safety risks, with employees not being able to hear important warning signals and oncoming vehicles.[3]
Ben Hancock, Managing Director at Oscar Acoustics, said: “UK manufacturing is the backbone of the economy, and we can’t afford to allow unchecked decibels to cause a decline in productivity. Prioritising noise protection isn't just about compliance; it’s about protecting our key workers. This starts by tuning into their concerns about noise and the impact it’s having on their overall performance. It's time for us to listen, act, and invest in a quieter, more supportive workplace environment."
[1] https://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/regulations.htm
[2] Manufacturing responsible for a quarter of UK's GDP | Express & Star (expressandstar.com)
[3] https://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/hearingprotection.htm#:~:text=used%20and%20maintained-,Select%20protectors%20to%20reduce%20noise%20and%20avoid%20overprotection,environment%2C%20leading%20to%20safety%20risks.
