Keep noise levels at open office landscapes down and increase performance at work!
Noise pollution is an ever-increasing problem in modern technological society.
It is well documented that repeated exposure to even moderate levels of noise can be dangerous for your health, but we often underestimate the more pervasive physiological and psychological effects. The World Health Organization has identified these main health risks that noise in the workplace can cause:
• pain and hearing fatigue;
• hearing impairment including tinnitus;
• annoyance;
• interference with social behavior (aggressiveness, protest and helplessness);
• interference with speech communication;
• sleep disturbance and all its consequences on a long and short term basis;
• cardiovascular effects;
• hormonal responses (stress hormones) and their possible consequences on human metabolism (nutrition) and immune system;
• performance at work and school.
In your workplace, think of these common sources of ambient noise: continuous hum from a ventilation system or a computer or intermittent noise from office equipment. Open office landscapes can also add to the noise level as phone conversations and general discussions are more audible throughout the office.
Some advice for creating an office environment with an acceptable noise level:
• Keep noise down to healthy sound levels in a 45 to 60 dB(A) range that neither affects the ability to concentrate without being distracted nor the ability to hear the spoken word (well below the range for possible hearing damage).
• Locate co-workers according to the organizational structure, work task and project membership.
• Allocate separate rooms for meetings, phone calls and quiet tasks.
• Furnish walls, ceilings, and other large surfaces with sound absorptive materials.
• Separate workplaces with sound absorbing screens.
TCO Development has a co-operation with Ecophon on solutions for sound in offices. For more information http://www.ecophon.com/ .