Noise pollution is a common issue present in a variety of different workplaces, often making productivity difficult and impacting the performance of your employees. So, what can be done to minimise the levels of noise present in a workplace? Below, we aim to discuss the approaches that you can take to reduce noise pollution and create a space that is beneficial to your staff and colleagues.
Replace Out of Date Machinery
The older the machinery that you are using is, the more likely it is to overheat, giving out unnecessary amounts of noise that could be impacting the overall productivity of your workplace. Ensuring that all of your workplace equipment is kept up to date can work wonders for bringing down the overall noise levels in your office space, helping to foster a good work environment that will be beneficial for your employees.
Separate groups and solo workers
Establish an isolated conference room, lunch area etc. Placing these amenities away from those working alone will greatly reduce the sources of noise generated by workers. Consider installing heavy wooden doors in access points to these areas in order to prevent excessive noise reaching the quiet area. Placement of these areas is also of great importance for their effectiveness. It is advisable to avoid placing these areas in the centre of a building, towards the external walls is preferable. This will limit the potential for the noise to travel into surrounding areas within the office itself.
Establish ‘Quiet Zones’
The creation of a floor plan that supports proper noise control is vital to improving the levels of productivity seen in your workplace. Ensuring that particularly noisy equipment, such as large office printers and copiers, is kept stored away in isolated areas can work wonders for reducing the noise levels in your work space. Other areas where noise levels are typically heightened, such as break rooms, kitchens, and conference rooms, should be kept isolated from work areas and properly insulated to reduce noise levels where possible.
Invest in Noise Cancelling Equipment
If you’re still finding it difficult to bring down to overall noise levels in your workspace, then noise cancelling equipment such as sound-proof booths may provide the perfect solution; providing an ideal space for both those who need a quiet space to focus and get some work done, as well as a place for meetings to take place without distracting other colleagues.
However, if this is an expenditure a little out of your price range, then investing in noise cancelling headphones for your staff can also achieve the same effect.
Consider soft furnishings
The addition of soft furnishings such as fabric chair covers, plants or heavy curtains will help absorb some of the sound waves generates within the office and from external sources. Heavy curtains, though unconventional in office settings are highly effective in reducing noise pollution due to traffic outside the office. They may be purchased in plain, solid colours in order to retain a tradition office look. It is advisable to avoid furnishings with loud, bold patterns and colours and these may be distracting to the workers. Prolonged exposure to bright colours has also been linked to headaches. Plants may be placed near any potential source of noise. Plants may be a more cost effective and versatile option as they may be obtained in suitable sizes and styles for the space available. This would be a multi-functional addition to any work place and plants have been proven to boost morale and improve air quality which have can have an overall effect of happier, more productive workers.
Add wall panels
Textured wall panelling may work to alter the overall acoustics of a work space. Sound waves become trapped within the texture of the walls, reducing the noise in the work space. Panelling is available in a wide variety of design options, many providing a modern, polished feel suitable for any office space. The material these panels are made of can affect the extent to which they reduce noise pollution. Softer materials will be most effective.
Overall, there are a number of ways in which business owners can work to reduce the noise levels present within a workplace, helping to create a work environment that aids productivity and fosters a good work ethic amongst staff. To learn more about that Lake Contracts can do to help you completely transform your workspace, creating a positive work environment, why not take a look at our previous projects and discover what we can do for businesses like yours?