Conversations are the biggest disruptive factor in the workplace: background noise increases the error rate
Cologne, April 23, 2019 - Colleagues' conversations most disturb employees in the workplace. This was the result of a representative survey on noise at the workplace, which the polling institute Civey conducted in March 2019 on behalf of TÜV Rheinland among 1,000 people. “For noise to be annoying, it doesn't have to be excessively loud. In highly concentrated activities such as editing a text or programming tasks, a normal conversation is perceived as annoying. Those affected often do not consciously perceive the impairment. In the long run, however, they feel stressed, ”says Dr. Wiete Schramm, head of occupational medicine at TÜV Rheinland.
On the Day Against Noise on April 24, the experts point out that loud noises can be particularly stressful and damaging to the hearing - regardless of whether the sound of a jackhammer or the fully turned up music player. For the player, the following applies: after just one hour of listening to music at full volume, the ears are normally stressed for a whole week. Any further noise will then be harmful.
But even quiet noises affect the well-being and health of employees. This applies especially to conversations or irregular tones such as the ringing of telephones. These sounds are perceived consciously or unconsciously and distract attention from the task at hand. Employees feel annoyed, angry or nervous. But even without these feelings, the noise can literally get on your nerves: the body reacts with an increase in blood pressure, a higher heart rate or muscle tension. Stress hormones are released, which can have an inhibiting effect on the stomach and intestines, for example. In the long run, these reactions of the body favor cardiovascular diseases, among other things.
Distraction increases the frequency of errors and the risk of accidents
At work, noise pollution also affects the performance of employees: distraction, reduced concentration and nervousness, for example, increase the error rate and reduce the speed of work. In sales and consulting activities, communication can be difficult and the focus on the conversation and its desired result can be impaired. In workplaces where quick decisions have to be made, noise has an inhibiting effect: it reduces the ability to react and promotes risk taking.
More calm at work
If new work spaces are built, noise protection must be taken into account from the start. Various measures can also be taken retrospectively to help reduce noise pollution in the workplace. The range extends from sound-reducing wall and ceiling cladding to the sound-absorbing cladding of machines and organizational measures. Communication rules in the office contribute to a more relaxed working atmosphere. Times can be agreed when no phone calls or other calls are made. These phases are reserved for activities that require special concentration. “For meetings or phone calls, but also for office technology such as servers, printers and copiers, we recommend separate rooms or cabins. This reduces the background noise at work. The employees can work undisturbed and concentrated and the performance increases, ”says Schramm.
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