Many warehouse employees use industrial earplugs or headphones to mitigate short-term effects related to stress and hearing loss as well as more severe long-term effects such as permanent hearing impairment. Dematic, an integral part of the KION Group, has developed a portfolio of advanced noise reduction solutions to address the issue.
2024-07-11
Picture a bustling city street during rush hour, with honking horns, sirens and construction noise creating a constant, overwhelming clamour. In this urban commotion, conversations can be strained and vital details can get lost. Similarly, high-noise warehouses disrupt workflow. Yet, just as sound barriers and traffic management systems restore order to chaotic streets, advanced noise reduction solutions bring peace and productivity to the warehouse.
Let's closely examine these solutions and their impact on the warehouse environment.
Noise pollution can pose a serious health risk, which is why many governments around the world set the upper limit for warehouse noise exposure to a range of 85-90 decibels (dBA). Yet, it is still the equivalent to enduring city traffic noise for up to eight hours a day. "At times, sound levels can even surpass 90 dBA, which is less than ideal. And that’s where Dematic can lend a hand,” says Daniel Schmitt, a product manager at Dematic.
But before applying noise reduction solutions, Dematic offers a 3D noise mapping process. It includes an on-site visit where a acoustic modelling software assess building acoustics and creates a 3D layout. Microphones and sensors gather acoustic data, which is fed into software to create a digital model based on facility dimensions and equipment layout. The software simulates the benefits of various noise reduction solutions. Once the comprehensive assessment has been performed, the appropriate noise reduction solutions can be implemented.
Similar to a 5-star chef with a wealth of recipes to cater to diverse tastes, Dematic boasts a powerful portfolio of solutions to address noise-related challenges. "We distinguish loud products using our database, allowing us to offer customized noise mitigation solutions by matching the problem with the right Dematic product,” explains Markiel Schoonmaker, a customer service sales manager at Dematic.
It comes as no surprise that conveyors, rollers and slats are prime contributors to the elevated noise levels within warehouses. For mammoth e-commerce enterprises, where the daily processing of thousands of items is the norm, the imperative lies in fine-tuning the environment for effective noise reduction. In this regard, Dematic has recently played a pivotal role in assisting two retail titans to tackle the challenge.
Not long ago, Dematic partnered with a major online retailer to enhance its warehouse operations. They not only provided quieter, motorized roller conveyors, but also installed accumulation conveyors, which offer versatility for both contact and non-contact applications. Thanks to specially designed outer sleeves for reduced noise and increased wear resistance, foam-filled sortation slats and friction-reducing belted conveyor options, Dematic achieved a significant reduction in noise levels for the customer. "These solutions can reduce noise levels by up to 15 dBA, addressing a critical need in warehouse settings," notes Schoonmaker.
For the other customer, also a major online and in-store retailer, Dematic determined a customized solution was necessary. Similar to the functionality of bulk flow conveyors at airports, which efficiently handle luggage from drop-off to transport to pick up, Dematic effectively assisted the customer in reducing the noise coming from its bulk flow conveyors. They met the challenge with the strategic placement of DuraSurf, a friction-reducing material positioned beneath the conveyor belt, resulting in significant noise reduction levels.
"It's rather funny that shortly after implementing the solution, the customer contacted us, concerned that its conveyors had stopped working, when actually, the conveyors had become so quiet that the employees couldn’t hear them anymore”, laughs Schoonmaker, adding, “That’s the remarkable impact of reducing technology noise from 80+ dBA down to a tranquil 70-75 dBA!".
The Dematic response to reducing warehouse noise has been undeniably effective, offering tangible benefits for employee well-being. However, what are some of the long-term benefits resulting from these solutions?
According to Schoonmaker, “investing in noise reduction can improve employee retention and reduce expenditures on personal protective equipment such as industrial earplugs " He further emphasized how a quieter warehouse is now considered a fundamental requirement for retaining valuable staff, resulting in cost saving and heightened operational efficiency.
This is why Dematic has prioritized close collaboration with a customer’s safety representatives and operational managers responsible for employee environmental health and safety (EHS) measures to take a proactive approach in addressing warehouse noise issues. While some competitors in the industry use other methods such as noise cameras to identify noise problems, they lack a portfolio of solutions to comprehensively address noise levels. “It’s like finding a cavity but the dentist can’t fix it because (s)he lacks the proper tools. We find the cavity and we fix it, thanks to the breadth of our portfolio and expertise,” explains Schoonmaker.
Think of KION Group member Dematic as the captain who steers the ship through the turbulent sea of warehouse noise. Its noise reduction solutions are like the calm that follows a storm, charting a course to quieter and more productive waters. It not only enhances work conditions and employee satisfaction, but it can also boost productivity. Yet, the noise reduction journey continues. With Dematic's portfolio of innovative solutions and a dedicated research and development team, they remain steadfast in the pursuit of reducing noise and making the workplace as quiet as possible.
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