Industrial Noise: What Is It, What Causes It and How Can It Be Controlled?

Industrial noise is unwanted sound created by machinery, tools, processes and the movement of materials. It can make communication difficult, reduce concentration and, at sufficient exposure levels, damage hearing.

Noise control should therefore be treated as an engineering and health-and-safety issue, not simply a matter of making a workplace more pleasant.

Common sources of industrial noise

Factories and workshops contain several types of sound. Rotating equipment may create a steady hum or whine, presses and impact tools produce short high-energy peaks, and compressed-air systems often generate broad, harsh noise. Panels, ducts and floors can also vibrate and radiate sound well beyond the original source.

Material handling is another frequent cause. Metal parts dropped into bins, products moving along conveyors and pallets crossing uneven floors can all increase the overall noise level.

Why is industrial noise a problem?

High noise exposure can cause permanent hearing loss and tinnitus. It may also mask alarms, warning signals and spoken instructions. Even at lower levels, persistent background noise can contribute to fatigue and make detailed work more difficult.

Under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations, employers must assess and control risk. HSE guidance uses daily or weekly exposure action values of 80 dB(A) and 85 dB(A), with an exposure limit value of 87 dB(A) after accounting for hearing protection. A competent assessment should consider duration as well as the measured level.

Types of noise control

The most effective approach follows a hierarchy: remove the source where possible, reduce noise through engineering measures, limit exposure through work organisation, and use hearing protection where residual risk remains.

Control noise at source

A quieter process or machine is usually the best long-term answer. Maintenance also matters. Worn bearings, loose guards, blunt cutters and air leaks can make equipment considerably noisier than it should be.

Reducing speed, impact height or compressed-air pressure may help where the process allows it. Resilient mounts can limit vibration passing into a frame or floor.

Block the transmission path

Solid barriers and enclosures add mass and prevent sound travelling directly from a machine to the listener. Gaps, access doors and ventilation openings need careful design, as sound can escape through surprisingly small openings.

An enclosure may combine a heavy outer shell with internal sound-absorbing material. The barrier blocks sound, while the absorbent lining reduces reflections inside the enclosure.

Absorb reflected sound

Open-cell acoustic foam can reduce reverberation from walls, ceilings and metal panels. This is useful in enclosed machinery spaces, workshops, offices and production rooms where hard surfaces allow sound to bounce repeatedly.

Acoustic foam isn't a substitute for a sound barrier and shouldn't be described as complete soundproofing. It improves the internal acoustic environment and can support a wider noise-control design. Explore eFoam's acoustic foam sheets and panels for room and enclosure treatment.

Separate people from noise

Remote operation, acoustic cabins and changes to workflow can reduce the time employees spend near noisy equipment. Scheduling particularly loud tasks when fewer people are present may also reduce overall exposure, although it doesn't remove the need for engineering control.

Use hearing protection correctly

Hearing protection is important where other measures can't reduce exposure sufficiently. It must be suitable for the noise, worn correctly and maintained. Over-protection can create communication and safety problems, so selection should form part of the risk assessment.

How to approach an industrial noise problem

Begin with observation. Identify when and where conversation becomes difficult, which machines dominate the sound and whether noise changes with maintenance or production conditions. Measurements or exposure calculations may then be required. Our guides to reducing noise in the workplace and common acoustic problems offer practical starting points.

Prioritise the people and processes with the highest exposure. A combination of maintenance, isolation, barriers and absorption often works better than relying on one product.

Where acoustic foam is being considered, check the required fire performance, environment and fixing method. For help selecting a suitable grade, contact eFoam with details of the space and the noise source.

Frequently asked questions

What causes industrial noise?

Common sources include rotating equipment (a steady hum or whine), presses and impact tools (short high-energy peaks), and compressed-air systems (broad, harsh noise). Panels, ducts and floors can vibrate and radiate sound beyond the source, and material handling – metal parts dropped into bins, conveyors, pallets over uneven floors – adds to the overall level.

What are the noise exposure limits at work?

Under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations, HSE uses daily or weekly exposure action values of 80 dB(A) and 85 dB(A), with an exposure limit value of 87 dB(A) after accounting for hearing protection. A competent assessment should consider duration as well as the measured level.

Does acoustic foam reduce industrial noise?

Open-cell acoustic foam reduces reverberation from walls, ceilings and metal panels, improving the internal acoustic environment in workshops and machinery enclosures. However, it isn't a substitute for a sound barrier and shouldn't be described as complete soundproofing – it supports a wider noise-control design rather than replacing it.

How do you control noise in a factory?

Follow the hierarchy: remove the source where possible, reduce noise through engineering measures, limit exposure through work organisation, and use hearing protection for any residual risk. In practice a combination of maintenance, isolation, barriers and absorption works better than relying on one product.