Plant & Works Engineering July/August 2022

experienced by wearers of traditional earmuffs and earplugs can be remedied by adopting design advances from the professional music sector. Lossless earplugs are now commonly available that use foam and silicon materials to achieve a universal fit. These earplugs are extremely small and lightweight, offering excellent noise attenuation properties without compromising the wearer’s situational awareness. Meanwhile, the evolution of intelligent digital technologies is enabling more effective data collection, analysis and interpretation in almost every aspect of our lives. Ubiquitous connectivity makes it possible to collate and transmit massive amounts of data reliably from many locations at once – often in real time. In a health and safety setting, it is easy to see how wireless connectivity could be deployed to support noise monitoring regimes and alert safety managers and workers at the point action is required. Focus on: Noise Monitoring Handling & Safety Matters July/August 2022 www.pwemag.co.uk Plant & Works Engineering | 29 Less noise, more insight Minuendo has developed Smart Alert, a solution that combines the latest aural comfort with the data collection, storage and analysis capabilities that modern working environments demand is now available. Active noise monitoring means that when an immediate risk is detected, an individual alarm will alert the employee to take action. This may mean moving further from the noise source, using the ergonomically designed earplugs, or adding more hearing protection. Data from each shift can be uploaded in the cloud and used to generate further guidance. For example, employees can receive automated notifications about their daily noise exposure levels in the form of emails or text messages. These messages can also provide straightforward suggestions that they can adopt to lower their risk of noise-induced hearing loss. Cloud-based storage and analysis can also provide the insight and targeted approach that safety managers need to be more effective. Smart Alert can be configured to present critical data in a simple dashboard format. This access to contextual data cuts through the noise and helps to prevent information overload. It allows the safety manager to pinpoint the individuals that are most at risk of noise-related hearing loss, enabling them to work with them collaboratively – not coercively - to drive improved behaviours. Nor are these new hearing loss prevention solutions limited to recording noise exposure levels. The intelligent technology can also provide other valuable usage data, such as when and how well the earplugs have been fitted. Cloud storage also allows historical noise exposure data to be stored over time. This data pool provides a vital audit trail of compliance should it be required. See Noise Clearly. Buy online and get FREE UK delivery at E: sales@pulsarinstruments.com T: +44 1723 339715 Alert your employees when dangerous noise levels have been exceeded. • Innovative noise-activated warning sign • Adjustable brightness & trigger level www.pulsarinstruments.com