Around the world, millions of workers are affected by excessive noise in the workplace and a large proportion are exposed to noise loud enough (in the region of 80dB(A) – 85dB(A)) that they have to raise their voices to be able to converse with colleagues and are at risk of Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Exposure to harmful levels of noise at work and hearing damage can be prevented if the right processes and noise level monitoring system is available.
Clients often ask us for advice on simple solutions to monitor noise and as a result, we work with many different types of industries to help them find the right noise measurement for their application and budget. In certain working environments, simple, low-cost solutions can be used very effectively to act as early warning systems, highlighting potential problems with noise or prompting for corrective action to be taken to avoid harm.
SafeEar noise level monitoring system flashes alerts in real-time
The Pulsar SafeEar is a simple low-cost solution noise monitoring system which can be mounted easily on any wall and operates from a mains power supply. Although it is a basic device it uses a Class 2 microphone to detect noise and is sophisticated enough to activate in response to certain levels of noise, and is therefore effective as an early noise warning system, highlighting potential noise problems and prompting for corrective action to be taken to avoid harm.
The three main uses of the Pulsar SafeEar noise warning system are to:
- Alert
- Educate
- Prevent
This device can be used across a wide range of indoor work settings to inform employees and visitors in real-time about noise issues.
Thanks to a clearly identifiable alert symbol, workers and visitors alike can take immediate action to protect themselves from the noise by reaching for hearing protection or by taking appropriate action to reduce the noise around them. The trigger level can be set by the user on the back of the sign to suit the application or work environment. A typical use of such a sign would be in a workshop, open-plan office, hospital reception, school (exam room or corridor), call centre, canteen, warehouse or a factory.
The Pulsar SafeEar comes with a choice of key messages:
- “Hearing Protection Must Be Worn” for use in an industrial, engineering or factory environments to warn workers when they need to put on their hearing protection and when it is safe to take it off.
- “Silence, Quiet Zone” for use in calm environments, for example in a hospital, library or educational building.
- “Warning! High Noise Levels” designed specifically to be used in pubs, bars and nightclubs, and
- “Caution High Sound Levels” for use outside loading bay entrances or corridors prior to entering a production, processing unit or packing zone to warn people entering the zone.
Easily create hearing protection zones
We all know that the size of buildings can vary vastly. This product is great as it can be extended to cover an area of up to 30 square metres – ideal for larger premises – by linking a master unit to a series of remote units (3 maximum). Using the SafeEar’s in this way effectively creates a ‘Mandatory Hearing Protection When Lit’ zone. The Remote units can also be positioned outside of noisy rooms to warn people about the enter of the need to wear hearing PPE.
Two accessories are also available, a flashing beacon (either blue or red) and a SafeEar data logger with software to record noise levels over selected periods of time, such as over an entire shift, and produce a graph of the recording. All noise measurement data collected can be printed, exported and annotated for future reference.
Features and benefits of the Pulsar SafeEar:
- Quick & simple to install – in less than 30 minutes
- Lights up and flashes a visual alert in real-time when a pre-set level is exceeded
- Adjustable trigger level from 40dB(A) to 114dB(A)
- Ideal for use in both noisy and quiet environments
- Adjustable, high-intensity white LED technology for high visual impact
- 4 standard designs to cover all applications
- Multi-language options available
- Weight 0.6kg (1.3lbs)
How this system will help you
If you are just looking for a fixed solution to alert your staff on a daily basis this is a great product for you but it does not replace a sound level meter. It is what we refer to as a noise indicator and should be used as such. If you are working towards compliance with the Noise at Work Regulations, you should combine this device with the use of a handheld compliant noise at work sound level meter – at least Class 2 is recommended. This will provide you with in-depth noise testing and noise exposure data for further reference and to show as evidence in case of an inspection or dispute over noise-induced hearing loss. Find out more about the Noise Regulations here.
In summary
If you are looking to monitor noise at work in a way that will warn staff and visitors of potentially harmful levels, look no further than the Pulsar SafeEar wall-mounted noise activated warning system. This device is available in a number of different languages and can be purchased directly from Pulsar Instruments online via its distribution network. Call us on 01723 518011 for more information, or contact us to find out more.
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