







This project involved carrying out a workplace noise assessment at a busy warehouse facility in Swindon. The aim was to get a clear, realistic picture of what employees are exposed to on a normal working day, and whether any noise sources on site might pose a risk to hearing over time. The assessment looked at different operational areas, including inbound, outbound and pre-staging, covering everything from routine handling tasks to forklift activity, alarms, pallet movement and general warehouse traffic.
Overall, the noise levels across the site were lower than you might expect for a large distribution environment. Daily exposure levels for all monitored staff fell comfortably below the thresholds where mandatory controls kick in, which is good news from both a safety and compliance point of view. There was one unusual spike recorded for a single worker, but after reviewing the data and speaking with the team, it was identified as a one-off false peak — likely caused by the monitoring device being knocked. When that anomaly is removed, the noise exposure levels across all groups are consistent and reassuringly low.
That said, the assessment still highlighted a few areas where small changes could make the environment even quieter. Most of the higher-intensity noises came from momentary impacts — things like pallets hitting the floor, squeaky trolleys, or forklift horns being used more often than necessary. These are easy wins: placing pallets down more gently, using rubber matting, lubricating trolley wheels, or setting up clearer pedestrian routes to reduce the need for horns.
Overall, the warehouse is operating well within safe limits, and there’s no requirement for hearing protection in most circumstances. The recommendations are mainly about fine-tuning daily practices and continuing to maintain equipment. With minor tweaks, the site can keep noise levels low, protect hearing in the long term, and maintain a safe, comfortable working environment for everyone on the floor.
Sysco Environmental Ltd conducted a workplace noise monitoring assessment at a dental laboratory in Bristol as part of an ongoing commitment to comply with health and safety regulations. The assessment aimed to measure the daily noise exposure levels of employees, identify sources of excessive noise, and recommend appropriate control measures.
The evaluation found that employees in the dental laboratory are exposed to higher noise levels, likely exceeding safe thresholds, whereas employees in the plaster room are within safe noise limits. The primary source of excessive noise was identified as the desk-mounted extraction units in the dental laboratory.
To mitigate this issue, it is recommended to relocate the extraction units to reduce noise exposure significantly. If relocation is not feasible, providing hearing protection for employees is advised.
By implementing these noise control measures, the dental laboratory can create a quieter and safer working environment, enhancing employee well-being and productivity. Additionally, these actions ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, underscoring the company's dedication to maintaining a healthy workplace.