Reducing workplace noise with advanced pneumatics and automation

06 March, 2025

The food and beverage industry is vulnerable to noise-related risks due to the sheer variety of equipment involved. Filling machines, conveyors, palletisers and refrigeration units all contribute to a constant cacophony. The same goes for the production of products like beet sugar, breakfast cereals and frozen fruits.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 46% of manufacturing workers have been exposed to hazardous noise. What’s more, the same report highlighted that close to 14% of manufacturing workers had some degree of hearing loss. These hazards reflect how important it is for food manufacturers to adhere to legal obligations designed to protect employees and create safer working environments

Legal requirements

In the UK, the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 provides a legal framework for managing noise in the workplace.

These regulations require employers to eliminate noise at its source wherever possible or reduce it to the lowest level reasonably practicable — referred to as “so far as is reasonably practicable” (SFAIRP).

According to the second edition of a guide from the Health and Safety Executive, titled ‘A Recipe for Safety: Health and Safety in Food and Drink Manufacture HSG252’, page 49 defines two critical exposure thresholds.

At 80 decibels (dB), employers are required to inform workers about noise risks and offer hearing protection to those who request it. At 85 dB, stricter measures must be implemented, including controlling noise through quieter machinery or soundproofing.

If these options are not feasible, hearing protection zones must be established, clearly marked and enforced. In addition, health surveillance is also required for workers exposed to hazardous noise levels.

Quieter machinery

Manufacturing workers are exposed to several noises loud enough to cause noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and this Applied Sciences paper cites compressors, pumps, motors, fans, turbines, vents, steam leaks and control valves as some of the more significant sources of workplace noise.

However, modern automated machinery is often designed to minimise vibrations and reduce mechanical noise, improving both the working conditions for operators and the durability of the equipment.

A prime example is Clippard Spider valves, known for their exceptionally quiet operation with lower noise and vibration levels. These valves are especially effective in packaging lines, where pneumatic actuators perform tasks like bottle capping or product sorting.

Another example is Dematic’s global launch of its noise reduction portfolio. These products are specifically designed to address noise in environments like packaging lines and material handling systems, all of which are sources of high noise levels on food and beverage lines.