Noise measurement products manufacturer, Pulsar Instruments, has launched a transportable noise safety system, developed in partnership with Interserve Construction Limited, to be used at live construction environments.
Interserve, the international support services and construction group, contacted noise at work experts, Pulsar Instruments, to help them come up with a solution to be trialled at their first construction project at the University of Yorks Piazza Learning Group. The company was keen to identify problems with operatives and activities that can lead to noise-induced hearing loss which remains one of the biggest challenges in the construction industry.
To comply with the Regulations, Interserve carry out rigorous risk assessments to identify which tools or processes are likely to expose its operators to dangerous levels of noise and when they are required to wear hearing protection. The company also wanted to address the needs of nearby sub-contractors and operators working in a variety of trades on site who are exposed to the same noise levels.
One of the key reasons for opting for the smaller Pulsar SafeEar sign was to allow the flexibility of the device to be transported about easily as tradesmen worked around the building. The heavy duty tripod gives it a stable mounted base that can then move with the sign, wherever the building requires it to be transported due to the tasks being completed.
Lianne Lawson, Senior Site Manager at Interserve Construction Limited, said: "Pulsar Instruments have been exceptional in communication and understanding a problem that exists in a large industry.
"They have collaborated with Interserve to appreciate the problems encountered and worked to change the industry and improve long term health issues such as noise-induced hearing loss. Their approach to problem solving and learning the intricacies of a construction site have been welcomed and have collectively created a product that will benefit many people who work in this dynamic industry."
Sarah Brack, MD of Pulsar Instruments said: "The SafeEar is one of our most popular and established instruments and, due to its diversity, it has been the perfect aid to warn of excessive noise levels in many different areas. Upon meeting Lianne and her team at the University of York Piazza learning Centre, we were asked to develop a SafeEar that met construction site conditions.
"Our developers came up with a version that met the 110V site regulations and also mounted the sign onto a robust, highly visible tripod. An important factor for Interserve was that the unit could be easily moved around site. We have accomplished this by providing a complete system that is extremely rugged yet compact and therefore can be effortlessly moved around site or indeed from location to location as needs arise."