Gigabytes to Hearing Aid?
IT workers that regularly occupy computer rooms, data centres and server rooms will most likely experience pockets of excessive noise exposure caused from a combination of powerful air-con systems and high density computers.
UK legislation has now been put in place as a way to address workplace noise exposure. Unfortunately so when due to our time, we now live and operate in a 'suing culture' where it really is easy and often free to pursue a claim through the legal system on a 'no win no fee' basis. Many of these claims are fully legitimate and worthy, but as in all cases there is an element of exaggeration and fraudulent claims.
Specialist workplace sound and noise level testing has been made to suit and meet the growing needs of the increasing IT community, including data centres, data halls, computer rooms, server rooms, comms rooms, switch rooms, ups rooms and plant rooms.
A vast amount of these rooms were constructed time ago and are regarded as the heartbeat of many organisations. To improve the fabric and structure of these rooms is almost impossible because of the cost and nature of their operation. In order to comply with current health and safety legislation, and most importantly protect the wellbeing of staff, it really is now paramount that workplace sound level management is seriously addressed.
The majority of us are fortunate to take our daily hearing for granted, but once this begins to falter there is no going back. Hearing loss is normally gradual and caused as time passes from prolonged exposure to noise, especially in the workplace.
Health and safety legislation now stipulates workplace noise exposure should be assessed where the risk of excessive noise output will probably exceed the working legal level, currently standing in the united kingdom at 85dB.
IT environments certainly are a specialist area that will require expert attention and understanding. An in depth assessment process will include noise mapping throughout individual rack aisles to recognize areas of excessive noise. It isn't uncommon for technicians, engineers and contractors to remove raised floor tiles to get access to the ground void area. Should the air-conditioning be delivered via the sub floor, the removal of just a few floor panels will significantly increase the noise output and should be taken into consideration during the testing process. In addition open server racks may also intensify the noise exposure.
We usually do not realise how heavily we have now rely on data centres to help keep the daily wheels of industry running. No data centres, no cellular phone networks, broadband, Facebook and twitter! On a significant note data centres also drive the emergency services, banking community and utility services. IT workers must now be granted protection and consideration when employed in these environments. Additional hints were formed primarily to address better pay and working conditions for the workers. As the IT industry evolves and develops, it really is now essential the IT community now addresses the issues that surrounds workers hearing and welfare.