Selling a quiet workplace through “buy quiet” programs.

Abstract

By implementing within the procurement process a program coined as “buy quiet,” an employer can most effectively reduce hazardous levels of noise at their worksites. The process also shifts some of the responsibility for “quiet” onto the groups most capable of reducing noise emission at its source, the manufacturers of the machinery, and equipment being purchased. Controlling noise at its source is best accomplished by those manufacturers, as they are the technical experts on the operating parameters and therefore best suited to make the necessary design changes to reduce noise emissions without adversely affecting the quality or effectiveness of the operation. The process requires a purchaser to compare published noise emission levels of differing models of equipment being purchased and, whenever possible, purchasing the quieter model. Within the process are tradeoff analysis worksheets to weigh the cost of reduced noise emission with other standard purchasing requirements. Buy quiet provides an easy and effective method for an employer to demonstrate a commitment to the use of best available technology to reduce the number of worker’s suffering occupational noise induced hearing loss.