A new intelligent noise control and risk reduction technology was launched by hearing protection provider EAVE at Safety and Health Expo 2018.
The EAVE WORK noise mapping, monitoring and dosimetry solution is comprised of the PEAK software platform and EAVE WORK MKI headset. The disruptive hearable technology aims to keep workers safe and connected when they work in hazardous industrial environments.
As part of a wider risk reduction solution, the EAVE WORK MKI helps employers increase productivity, prevent noise induced hearing loss and the associated risks of litigation.
The EAVE WORK MKI gathers data about onsite noise levels while protecting the wearers from excessive noise. The data is automatically reported on the EAVE PEAK cloud based noise monitoring platform, producing a heat map of noise and monitoring the connected workers’ exposure to noise.
This ensures that dangerous doses and durations of noise exposure can be avoided to prevent noise induced hearing loss, and create an audit trail of compliance to protect companies against future occupational hearing loss claims.
For the past two years EAVE has been testing the beta version of the EAVE WORK MKI and PEAK noise mapping solution with major construction and engineering companies in the UK and the Netherlands. Following the Expo, EAVE has made the EAVE WORK MKI fully available for purchase or rent.
Construction contractor BAM Nuttall used the EAVE WORK MKI on a major regeneration project in Nine Elms, London. Its head of innovation Colin Evison said: “Following the pilot, the feedback so far has been very positive. The ear protectors cut down on loud background noise, while enhancing voice, allowing for easy communication without nullifying important audible safety signals such as alarms or sirens for example.”
Talking about the launch of EAVE WORK, EAVE’s CEO and Founder, Dr David Greenberg, said: “At EAVE we operate in such a way that we look at the realities of occupational disease and hazards in the workplace and apply unique design principles and cutting edge technology to develop genuine solutions. We never look at ways of simply conforming to standards, as we believe these are the minimum benchmark, not the end goal and certainly not best practice.
“We know a lot more about noise and hearing now than we did in 1989 when the Noise at Work regulation was first written, and even since 2005 when it was rewritten. We also benefit from what is now possible with technological developments such as those that are implemented in the EAVE WORK MKI.”
The EAVE WORK MKI analyses frequencies from four digital microphones, utilising algorithms that have previously only been found in top-of-the-range hearing aids, to sample the ambient noise. The data collected is sent to the securely encrypted EAVE PEAK platform enabling site managers and health and safety officers to monitor and map the noise intensity and exposures of their sites and operatives from any web browser.
The new product not only protects hearing, but is said to enable communication in noisy environments. Connected workers can maintain face-to-face communication and make and receive phone calls even in environments with hazardous noise levels. This improved communication enhances safety and efficiency, as users are more aware of their surroundings and of any danger. Productivity is increased by eliminating the downtime caused by workers removing their headsets or going off-site to have a conversation.
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As part of a wider risk reduction solution, the EAVE WORK MKI helps employers increase productivity, prevent noise induced hearing loss and the associated risks of litigation.