Hearing damage

Noise is part of everyday life, but harmful levels of noise can lead to serious health and safety issues such as hearing loss or tinnitus. 

Over time, an uncontrolled consistent exposure to the loud noises from machinery and tools may lead to a permanent hearing loss.

It is important to know whether the noise levels from your working environment pose a hazard to health, and to wear appropriate ear protection to preserve your hearing.  

How to measure the level of noise?

In order to check whether the noise level for your manufacturing environment has a potential noise hazard, use a sound level meter.

Image credit: Tekcoplus

SmartBench sound pressure

SmartBench has the following sound sources:

• Spindle motor (A)

• Extractor (B)

• Resonance in the job while machining

• Contact between material and a tool

• Chassis movement

SmartBench operating noise level 

When only SmartBench was operating, we measured the maximum noise level to be 80dD (decibel).

SmartBench sound level with extraction 

The maximum noise level with both SmartBench and an extractor operating was recorded as 87dD (decibel).

C: SmartBench

D: Extraction

Evaluating SmartBench sound intensity

By comparing our measurements to the chart below, we can see that SmartBench on its own doesn’t cause much noise hazard. However, when the extraction system is switched on the noise level tends to be harmful.

Different extraction systems will have different noise levels, so we strongly recommend that you check the noise levels of your system to ensure site safety, and so that you can implement appropriate precautions. 

Image credit: Soundproofing Guide

Hearing protection  

If the noise level for your environment is harmful, it’s important to take precautions to protect your hearing. You can do this by using:

Ear defenders

Disposable ear plugs