Controlling the noise of the Armada

Armada Tube & Steel (South West) Ltd are based in Launceston, Cornwall. The company cuts and processes steel tube supplies for sports equipment and furniture. The company has already made several positive steps towards achieving their requirements under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations (CoNAWR) and asked Soundguard Acoustics to provide some further consultancy particularly with noise control for machinery processes.

Targeting gunfire at 'The Tunnel'

The Tunnel is an ambitious project located just outside of Charmouth, Dorset. A disused road tunnel has been converted for use as an indoor shooting range and is due to open in the Spring 2010. The facility hopes to be of value to the 2012 olympics as well as local ballistics testing, the police and shooting enthusisats. Fully qualified staff will welcome all groups to come and participate and demonstrate that Shooting really can provide enormous enjoyment when practised within a controlled enviroment with qualified professionals.

Devon Acoustic consultancy Soundguard Acoustics Ltd were required to deliver expert acoustic advice to ensure that local properties would not be affected by noise break out from the site. With the support of the developers and the local police force a Magnum was used as a noise source from which a BS4142 survey was constructed. Additional internal and external acoustic advice was provided to ensure that the design of the build would meet the requirements of the project whilst avoiding any disturbance to local residents. (picture from alternative source as 'The Tunnel' is not yet complete)

Flying high with Flybe

Flybe is Europe's largest independent regional airline carrier and was named 'Regional Airline of the Year 2009'. The company operate throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe. Devon noise consultants Soundguard Acoustics Ltd were invited to undertake noise at work risk assessments for Flybe's groundcrew including their repair and refurbishment operations at the Exeter, Manchester and Birmingham sites. The Devon acoustic consultancy Soundguard Acoustics Ltd spent an interesting time assessing the hangars, operating equipment and ground testing and engine test runs of Embraer 145's.

Soundguard cares for Alberto Culver:

Alberto-Culver UK manufacturers and distributes leading haircare and skincare brands in the UK and Ireland. The company is based in Swansea and employees over 130 people within the manufacturing, blending and dispensing operations. Alberto Culver grew from a single product over 50 years ago to become an innovative leader in a range of hair and skincare products that include Tresemme, VO5, St Ives, Andrew Collinge and Alberto Balsam.

Noise at Work experts Soundguard Acoustics Ltd were invited to undertake workplace noise assessments to CONAWR regulations throughout the site and across the numerous production lines. A range of noise control solutions was determined as well as alteration to the existing mandatory hearing protection zones. Several engineering controls are planned in the near future to further reduce employee noise exposure risks. Devon noise services Soundguard AcousticsLtd  continues to work with the company.

Raising a glass to Constellation Europe:

Constellation Europe is the UK’s largest wine bottling company and is based in Avonmouth, Bristol. The company bottles a range of wines including Kumala, Hardys, Banrock Station, Stowells, Nobilo, Ravenswood, Simi and Robert Mondavi wines. Constellation Europe is part of Constellation Brands which has sales of more than $3.77 billion annually and employees over 6,600 people throughout its 50 wineries and other facilities worldwide.

Soundguard Acoustics Ltd was invited to undertake workplace noise assessments to CONAWR regulations for the newly installed high-speed bottling lines. This £80 million development produces over 600 bottles of wine per minute. Using Sound Levels Meters and DoseBadges, Soundguard Acoustics Ltd determined a range of noise control solutions. Mandatory hearing protection zones were relaxed in areas consistently below the UEAV of 85dB(A) or 135dB(C) and resulted in some employees groups, supervisors, visitors, store operatives and fork lift drivers not having to wear hearing protection.

Sound support for Notting Hill Carnival 08

London's Notting Hill Carnival is famous worldwide, its the biggest street Carnival in Europe and the second biggest in the world. 2008 saw the introduction of the Control of Noise at Work Regulations for the entertainments industry and London Notting Hill Carnival Ltd requested the assistance of Soundguard Acoustics Ltd to determine the noise exposure risk of its employees, traders, stewards, masqueraders and the general public. The remit was to preserve the vibrant sounds of Carnival and achieve protaction for its employees. A challenge in itself! Soundguard Acoustics Ltd monitored the levels at Carnival 2008 using a team of consultants throughout the 4 mile route. In addition the 40 static sound systems were risk assessed and measured. The information was used to assist in the planning of Carnival 2009.

Opening doors with Leaderflush Shapland

Leaderflush Shapland is based in Barnstaple, Devon. The company manufacturers a range of flush performance doors and doorsets. Soundguard Acoustics Ltd was invited to undertake both workplace noise assessments and also Hand Arm Vibration analysis for its employees. The site contains a range of hand held and automated wood working equipment including planners, shapers, presses and laser cutting devices. A range of noise control solutions were introduced including LEV noise reduction and clearly defined hearing protection zones were marked.

Lowering noise for Magnesium Elektron

Manchester company Magnesium Elektron first produced magnesium in 1936. They develop more alloys than any other company worldwide and supply applications in the aerospace, automotive and power generation industries. The large site consists of a range of buildings, furnaces and machinery as well as a range of other specialist operations. Soundguard Acoustics Ltd assessed and noise mapped the entire site as well as utlising Dosimetry and Sound Level Meter analysis to determine the noise exposure of the employees. A range of noise control techniques and hearing protection zones were introduced.