Loud noises such as a backing semi-trailer or a fire alarm alert workers of impending danger. However, loud noises themselves can be dangerous, causing a host of immediate and long-term problems for employees and operations.
In fact, sound is even used as a form of warfare. CNN reported the story of sonic attacks1 in the spring of 2018 that led people to experience symptoms of a traumatic brain injury, similar to a concussion. The sounds that these people heard were described as “buzzing,” “grinding metal,” “piercing squeals,” and “humming.” Does that sound like an industrial work setting?