Ben Hancock, Managing Director of Oscar Acoustics, explains why acoustic management is critical for UK Manufacturing.
Amid the steady roar of manufacturing plants across the UK, noise is often considered an unavoidable byproduct of business operations. Heavy machinery, clattering tools, and warehouse traffic all contribute to a cacophony of noise, that at times, can overwhelm the senses.
Prolonged exposure to these deafening environments has proven to be detrimental to our health. Workers experience a daily rise in cortisol levels, heightened stress, and are more at risk of long-term hearing damage.
However, excessive noise isn’t just bad for health, it’s also bad for business, draining productivity, dampening morale, and affecting the all-important bottom line. Yet, despite its profound impact, noise control often remains an afterthought in workplace management.
DISCONTENT ON THE FACTORY FLOOR
Our own research into the issue paints a worrying picture. Two in three manufacturing workers report a significant drop in productivity due to excessive noise, while one in five say conditions are so unbearable they’ve been driven to quit their jobs entirely. Going further, four in ten workers even link workplace noise to serious health issues such as diabetes and strokes.
These figures underscore a harsh reality: unchecked noise isn’t just a nuisance; it’s causing a health and safety crisis.
THE COST OF POOR ACOUSTICS
There’s also a strong business case too. The UK manufacturing sector drives a quarter of the nation’s GDP but is facing ongoing skills shortages and declining productivity.
In 2023/24, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reported 138 fatalities and over 561,000 workplace injuries. Excessive noise is an often-overlooked contributor to these statistics, creating environments where accidents are more likely, stress levels spike, and communication is impaired.
In a sector already under pressure to meet targets and retain talent, these risks are unsustainable.
BEYOND PRODUCTIVITY: WORKER WELLBEING
The industry is also awash with studies that show a direct link between noise and physical health. Prolonged exposure to loud or constant noise is tied to cardiovascular issues and hearing loss. The mental impact is just as serious, with workers often reporting anxiety, irritability, and burnout.
The results from our study echo these findings: one in four employees report noise-related headaches, with similar numbers experiencing heightened stress and anxiety. These effects don’t stop with individuals – they spread across teams, lowering moods and increasing absenteeism, whilst pushing skilled workers out of the sector.
THE SOUND SOLUTION
The good news is that these issues can be addressed and acoustic solutions, such as premium acoustics sprays, are highly effective at reducing noise levels. Unlike temporary fixes, these sprays are applied directly to walls or ceilings, immediately reducing echo and creating a more harmonious acoustic environment. They work by absorbing sound energy rather than reflecting it.
Beyond their immediate benefits, premium acoustic sprays also contribute to many sustainable design and health certification systems including BREEAM, SKA, Living Building Challenge and adds up to 17 points towards the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating of a project. Though it’s important to note that not all sprays meet GREENGUARD Gold standards for emissions, so employers should always do their homework.
SAFETY FIRST
As with any place of work, personal safety should always take precedence. For manufacturing firms, it’s essential to select acoustic sprays with third-party testing and safety certifications. Opting for sprays that exceed the Approved Document B fire requirements (Class 0 to BS476 & B-s1, d0 fire rating) ensures enhanced safety. In the event of a fire, these sprays produce minimal smoke and no droplets, aiding in the safe evacuation of the facility.
TIME TO ACT
Manufacturing, a cornerstone of the UK economy, risks severe consequences if it continues to neglect safer, more comfortable work environments. A telling sign is The Futures Group's 2024 Career Happiness Index, which ranked manufacturing, transport, and logistics among the least happy industries. This dissatisfaction highlights the urgent need for better acoustic management in UK manufacturing.
Manufacturers who ignore these warning signs do so at their peril. Without improving productivity and prioritising talent retention, they risk jeopardising long-term success at a time when it’s needed most.
