Industrial plants are known for being loud, acoustically-harsh environments. The combination of high ceilings, reflective surfaces and the din from heavy machinery creates an optimal environment for reverberation and noise. Such conditions can decrease productivity and increase health and safety hazards, creating a unique challenge for facility managers. That is the problem the Coney Island Wastewater Treatment Plant faced after an evaluation of the acoustic levels in its facility.
OSHA ran tests throughout the plant and concluded that noise in the pump room and blower room exceeded safe levels. Average noise levels in the pump room registered 92 dBA, and in the blower room, 87 dBA. At these levels, communication among plant staff becomes difficult, if not impossible, and prolonged exposure can be damaging to workers’ hearing.