Work environment in open office spaces

When noise levels become too high, it is an issue, and this is often the case when working in an open office space. Noise can lead to stress and stress-like symptoms, that are not healthy. The condition can lead to anxiety and affect the ability to concentrate.  A study from the Danish Technical University (DTU) shows that the capacity for work in office employees diminishes by 10 to 15%, when noise is introduced.

The study shows, that 60% of employees in the biggest open office spaces in Copenhagen complained about noise levels at their place of work.

Too loud noise levels have been an issue in open office spaces for a long time. But these open office spaces are still prevalent, and you may wonder if the noise issue is being addressed properly.

There can be several reasons for choosing to have a lot of employees together in one office space. One reason can be economy, because it is cheaper for the employer to have several employees in one room. Another reason can be that it may further the sharing of knowledge, when you work close to your co-workers.

Reduce noise levels in open offices

It is important to lower noise levels in open office spaces, because a great number of employees are bothered by noise. One step towards reducing noise levels in open office spaces, is to use a noise meter. Once you are aware of the actual noise levels you are exposed to in the office, it is easier to lower the noise levels. Afterwards, it is beneficial to look at adapting the office space with this infographic, so that a nice and calm work environment can be achieved.

Links:

Harvard Business Review

DR.dk

Indeklimaportalen.dk

Djøf.dk

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The study from Aarhus University Hospital, shows that rules and legislation on noise control in Denmark has been successful. Among other results, the study shows that the use of hearing protection at noisy workplaces has worked.

The employees that are most exposed to noise are better at using hearing protection now than earlier, and on top of that, the workplaces have managed to reduce noise levels. This means that workplace noise levels are lower now than ever before.

Legislation

If noise levels reach 85 dB(A) you are required by law to use hearing protection. This means that it is necessary to be aware of noise levels, and of when hearing protection is required. One way of achieving this is by measuring noise levels at the workplace with a SoundEar, which measures, analyses and localizes noise. This way, it is possible to prevent hearing damage with employees in multiple sectors.

Measures must be taken to reduce noise, and localize noise, so that it is not harmful to work in a noisy environment.

Noise prevention initiatives worked

The study by Aarhus University Hospital concludes, that noise prevention initiatives have worked. The research focused on employees, who work on a daily basis in a noisy work environment. Noise levels have dropped in 10 out of the 11 studied sectors. Some of the studied employees include kindergarten teachers, demolition workers and employees in the industrial sector.

The study shows that in 2001 70% of the employees used hearing protection, and in 2010 the number had increased to 76%. Furthermore, noise levels in the 11 studied sectors has diminished, ensuring a better work environment for employees.

If you need tips on lowering noise levels at your workplace, look at our infographic, that illustrates how to adapt the workspace to ensure a better work environment and a lower noise level.

Links (in Danish):
Mit arbejdsmiljø
Arbejdstilsynet

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Why is Traffic Noise Dangerous?

Traffic noise can lead to several health issues, ranging from a sensation of discomfort to, in the worst of cases, leading to death. Below, you can see a list of documented health effects of road traffic noise:

• Noise can lead to stress. If you are exposed to noise, you can feel stressed. The stressful sensation will disappear, when you are no longer exposed to noise. But if you live in an area with a high noise density, the noise will never disappear, and you risk never getting rid of the stressful sensation.
• Road traffic noise can lead to cardio-vascular disease. This is a well-researched and proven fact. In Denmark alone, road traffic noise causes 330 new cases of blood clots in the heart each year.
• Noise from traffic can also lead to diabetes, because studies show that there is a correlation between exposure to road traffic noise and a big waist line.
• Being exposed to high levels of traffic noise can lead to cancer.
• Noise from traffic can affect the health of children. Seeing as children are under constant development, they are a high-risk group when it comes to road traffic noise. Noise can lead to poor memory function and lowered reading comprehension in children. Furthermore, noise can affect children’s blood pressure, as it can with adults.

As we see above, road traffic noise can be costly, at a personal level as well as at a societal level.

Regulations on Traffic Noise: Decibel Levels and Noise Mapping

Traffic noise poses a threat to our health, and is in fact the biggest contributor to excessive noise exposure levels in Europe, where around 100 million people are exposed to road traffic noise above the daily threshold level of 55 decibel (dB).

There are things that can be done to reduce road traffic noise, for instance noise reducing road paving and noise barriers that can reduce road traffic noise exposure in residential areas. It is typically people living close to highways and other high traffic areas that suffer high exposure to road traffic noise and will benefit from these measures against noise.

EU legislation requires cities in member states to map their noise levels, not only from road traffic, but also from railways and airports, which all contribute to high environmental noise levels. One way of mapping city noise levels, is by installing traffic noise monitoring with SoundEar3-320 X. You can learn how the City of Malmö in Sweden used SoundEar3-320 as part of their solution to lowering external noise levels in this blog post.

Below are three solutions that can have a great impact on noise levels in residential areas.

Solutions to Traffic Noise Reduction

• City planning through creating silent areas: courtyards and other enclosed spaces around the residential area will increase the chances of peace and quiet.
• Day-and night time planning: it will be beneficial to move heavy duty traffic to the daytime instead of evenings and nights.
• Diverting Traffic: it may be a good idea to divert traffic from one area to another, if this causes less people to be harmed by the traffic noise, and even better; if we use noise reducing initiatives where the traffic is diverted to.

It is impossible to avoid road traffic noise completely, but noise can be reduced by following the three solutions above. Furthermore, EU member states and city councils can introduce initiatives that focus on road traffic noise and how to avoid it. If you are interested in learning more about ways to reduce road traffic noise, look at what the City of Malmö have done in this blog post.

Links:

• Road traffic remains biggest source of noise pollution in Europe
• In Danish: Trafikstøj – et overset samfundsproblem https://www.gate21.dk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Hvidbog_samlet_web.pdf

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Hearing Damage is widespread in the Industrial Sector

Noisy work is particularly bad for you, as it can cause severe damage to your ears. This is a problem in the Industrial Sector, where employees often report hearing loss and tinnitus. In the US alone 22 million employees are exposed to hazardous noise levels at work, and Occupational Hearing Loss is the single most reported work-related illness.

Source: Trends in Worker Hearing Loss by Industry Sector, 1981–2010

When sound becomes so loud, that you experience it as bothersome, it becomes noise, which there is a lot of in Industrial workplaces. It can affect the work environment, which is why there are regulations as to how much noise you can be exposed to during a workday.

Example of noise levels during a workday for a blacksmith:

• 94 dB(A) for 1 hour while chiseling
• 90 dB(A) for a half hour while grinding
• 86 dB(A) for 1,5 hours while welding
• 77 dB(A) for 4 hours while assembling
• 60 dB(A) for 1 hour during breaks

Source: Noise – A Guide to assesment and prevention (In Danish)

85 dB(A) is the maximum level of noise you should be exposed to as an average over an 8 hour workday. These levels should not be exceeded. If they are, it can lead to severe hearing damage for employees and it will be required to wear hearing protection and get proper training in the effects of noise.

For more on noise at work regulations in the EU, go to the OSHwiki.

We have collected 5 tips to reduce noise in Industrial settings:

• Use hearing protection 
It is important to use hearing protection as it lowers the amount of noise your ears are exposed to. Hearing protection should be provided for you if you work in an environment where noise levels reach 80dB(A). It can be difficult to remember to put on your hearing protection. If this is an issue at your workplace, you can look at this solution.
• Do not operate noisy machinery longer than recommended 
Stick to the guidelines provided by the manufacturers regarding noise levels and operating time
• Measure and map noise 
Find out when and where noise is an issue, using noise level meters. Use the noise meters to measure and map noise for an extended period of time to create awareness about noise at work.
• Move noisy tasks 
Use different areas of the workplace for different tasks and move the most noisy tasks away from the main work area, if possible.
• Isolate noise
To isolate noise at the workplace, you can move noisy equipment to a soundproofed room or use shielding around the source of noise.

The employer is obligated to ensure that you comply with noise level regulations. So, apart from following these 5 tips, you can also talk to your employer about how to reduce noise at your workplace.

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Your ear can stand a maximum of 85 decibel as an average noise level over a day, before it is damaged by the noise. Anything above 85 decibels can damage your hearing. Normal conversation is typically situated in the 60-70 decibel range. Decibel is also known as dB or dB(A).

What is dB(A)?

dB(A) is the measurement unit for sound, which is called decibel. The (A) means that there is applied an A-weighted filter, meaning that it approximates the sound, that a human can hear. Thus, the measurement unit, that approximates the human hearing, is called dB(A).

If you are exposed to high noise levels during the day, the amount of time you spend in noisy environments needs to be shortened.

Noise at work

There are legal restrictions that regulate the allowed noise level exposure in work settings. The maximum noise level is 85 dB(A). All companies in the European Union must comply with the maximum noise level exposure of 85 dB(A). Un-necessary noise should be reduced, so that the ear is not exposed to unhealthy levels of noise. If you are exposed to noise levels above 80 dB(A) at work, you should wear hearing protection, which your employer must make available for you. Furthermore, your employer should inform you of the risks involved with noise exposure. Learn more about the European legislation here.

This is how long you can stay in a noisy environment (with hearing protection on)

• 8 hours in 85 dB
• 4 hours in 88 dB
• 2 hours in 91 dB
• 1 hour in 94 dB
• 30 minutes in 97 dB
• 15 minutes in 100 dB

If you are exposed to such high levels of noise as stated above, you should not be exposed to any noise the rest of your workday. For instance, if you are exposed to 88 dB for 4 hours, the rest of your workday should be spent without any noise exposure.

Source: Arbejdsmiljøforskning.dk (in Danish)

See the noise barometer to get an idea of the noise levels, your ears are exposed to in different situations.

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