Quiet revolution for machinery?

A new initiative has been launched to encourage manufacturers to make quieter machinery and businesses to use it, in a bid to reduce noise-related ill health in the workplace.

170,000 people in the UK suffer deafness, tinnitus or other ear conditions as a result of exposure to excessive noise at work and the 'Buy Quiet' campaign, led by the HSE, is about getting everyone with an interest - manufacturers, suppliers, employers, unions, insurers and consultants - looking at what they can do to reduce the risk.

An event to mark the beginning of the campaign was held in March, the workshop included information on the legal requirements associated with noise emissions, the commercial considerations of producing low noise machinery and help for employers to identify and manage risks of exposure to excessive noise in the workplace.