Page 37 - OHS, November/December 2024

through noise monitoring. Employers need
to take on this responsibility to safeguard
employee health and to improve experience
of hospitality guests.
Where noise cannot be lowered to suit-
able levels, controls should be implemented
such as noise barriers or noise dampening
materials. Th ese can be introduced to loud
areas such as kitchens and laundry rooms,
where noise can oft en reach 85dB or high-
er. In bars with loud music exposure can
also exceed this level and other protection
could be required, even PPE in the form or
hearing protection.
On a practical level, companies should
use both a sound level meter and a noise do-
simeter, which a staff member wears for their
working shift to check noise levels. Sound
level meters are designed to measure noise
levels of an area, which employers can use
to determine the exposure to guests in par-
ticularly noisy places. Dosimeters are more
appropriate for measuring an individual’s ex-
posure levels, meaning employers can ensure
their employees are exposed to too much
noise over a shift . Th e mobile nature of those
in the hospitality and entertainment indus-
try mean a noise dosimeter is oft en used to
best measure an individual’s exposure.
Where an organisation lacks the neces-
sary expertise to conduct a comprehensive
noise assessment, it is always recommend-
ed to consult with external experts.
Impacts of Noise
For employees, noise can cause serious
health risks. Noise induced hearing loss is
an incurable yet preventable health con-
cern and in addition to this, excessive noise
can induce higher levels of psychological
stress, and cause strain on communication
and concentration. Th is can even lead to an
increase in accidents when employees are
unable to hear warning signs such as fi re
alarms or the sound of falling objects. Th e
most common cause of hearing loss with
age is NIHL, which are also a major con-
tributor to adverse health eff ects in older
age such as an increased risk of falls, de-
mentia and accidents.4
For guests in hotels, noise exposure
whilst sleeping can hold other issues. In
a recent survey, nearly nine in ten people
have reported being woken by a noise when
staying in a hotel or motel.5 Sleep disrup-
tion through noise can cause stress, poor
mood, cardiovascular issues as blood pres-
sure rises, and decreased overall wellbeing.
By Tim Turney,
Global Market-
ing Manager at
noise monitoring
equipment man-
ufacturer Casella
(www.casellaso-
lutions.com).
REFERENCES
1. tinyurl.com/56x3mvnk
2. tinyurl.com/2u9k2kbn
3. tinyurl.com/745rsnyf
4. tinyurl.com/2bsy6juf
5. tinyurl.com/4zsh55nh
REFERENCES
That effective.
1. tinyurl.com/53karypw
GreenGobblerSafety.com
2. tinyurl.com/mr472kup
www.ohsonline.com From a business perspective, the impact
of noise complaints on hotels can damage
both reputation and a company’s bottom
line. 86 percent of people are less likely to
recommend a hotel if they had a bad noise-
related experience. Equally, 82 percent of
people are less likely to stay in a hotel if
they see multiple bad reviews. Consistent
monitoring will help to prevent overtly
noisy situations, thus reducing complaints,
improving reputation and reducing the risk
of health issues.
Noise Sources:
Where Does It Come From?
Before conducting a noise assessment, em-
ployers must identify areas where noise
levels are exceeding acceptable limits. For
example, coff ee grinders, clattering crock-
ery and the combined atmospheric noise
of a restaurant frequently exceed 85dB(A),
especially combined with loud music in a
front of house situation. Employees ex-
posed to this over an eight-hour workday
are at a signifi cant risk of developing hear-
ing loss and other physical injuries.
If noise levels are exceeding 85dB(A)
during the working day, employers should
carry out baseline hearing tests when staff
are employed and annually thereaft er to es-
tablish if any hearing loss has occurred. Th is
type of health surveillance informs employ-
ers of the eff ectiveness of their noise control
eff orts.
Conclusion
Overall, employers in the hospitality sec-
tor stand to gain signifi cant benefi ts when
implementing a noise monitoring strategy,
both fi nancially and reputationally. More
importantly, introducing regular noise
monitoring signifi cantly reduces the risk
of employees and customers suff ering from
long-term, incurable hearing loss.
Training staff in understanding the risks
associated with high levels of noise expo-
sure is essential and where an organization
lacks the necessary competence, always
consult with external experts.
rate, and spray diameter in 1 activation.
Check water temperature, clarity, flow
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Safety shower testing made
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024 | Occupational Health & Safety 37