How to reduce noise
Milling, grinding, pressing: in orthopaedic workshops there are many machines that not only make our work easier, they also make noise. A regular maintenance of the machines offers protection against too much noise.
The daily noise exposure in the everyday life of a workshop is often underrated, since the noise does not occur continuously. The noise level depends on the product being manufactured. Still we should not underestimate noise in orthopaedic workshops. In order to find out how high generally the load is, the metrological service “noise” of the German employers liability insurance association BG ETEM extensively examined the noise exposure in 26 different pedorthic companies over a period of more than a year. The result: of 46 measuring days at least on 18 measuring days the upper trigger values of 85 dB(A) were exceeded. Altogether a mean daily noise exposure level of 83.8 dB(A) was found. A continuous noise exposure of already 80 dB(A) is not only regarded as a danger for the ears, but it actively increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases as well as the accident and illness frequency.
We cannot forego the use of machines. But we can protect ourselves with different strategies. Suitable ear protection can reduce the individual load. But it makes more sense to fight the noise at its source. Regular maintenance of machines not only promotes the life span and the capability of machines, but it also renders effective noise protection and thus guarantees prevention of noise-induced health hazards.
The following tips help you to reduce the noise level in your workshop:
Dust collection
If the filter performance is not optimal anymore and increasingly dirt particles settle in the filters, this can lead to additional vibration noise. That is why filters should be cleaned regularly and the dust drawer should be emptied. We recommend to clean the filter in a proper way according to the filter system, in order to loosen the collected dust and to replace the filter completely after three years.
Motors
Serviced motors are running much smoother. You should remove loose dirt and dust with the help of a brush or compressed air to keep vent slots free for cooling. Please never forget to switch off the current before.
Pumicing device
Due to loud environmental noise it is often forgotten to turn off the pumicing device after its use, with a considerable risk of injury.
Sanding belts
Dirty sanding belts run extremely uneasily. Remove regularly the occurring dirt at the sanding belts for an optimal and noise reduced functionality.
Compressors
As with the motors, also serviced compressors run much more smoothly. Especially important is the checking of the oil level at the compressor and at least once a month the emptying of the condensed water of the pressure tank.
(Source: HARDO Machinenbau GmbH, www.HARDO.eu)
Pedorthics-book in Japanese translation
2016 saw the English translation of the German textbook „Orthopädieschuhtechnik“ by Baumgartner, Moeller, Stinus. „Pedorthics -Foot Disorders – Foot orthoses – Footwear“ is one of the few books in the English language that deals with all aspects of foot orthoses and custom orthotic footwear.
For the Japanese edition, publisher C. Maurer Fachmedien cooperated with Igaku Shoin in Tokio, a renowned publisher for medical textbooks in Japan. „Pedorthics“ is not the only book of C. Maurer that has been translated into Japanese. Dr. Oliver Ludwig’s „Gait analysis“ is also available in the Japanese language.
