The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has sought better control of occupational noise exposure since the 1970's. Efforts have focused on individuals making retrospective modification of machinery, and many duty holders have chosen to use acoustic enclosures. Subsequent visits by regulatory authorities often found these acoustic enclosures to be in disrepair or disuse; they reduced access during production, maintenance, cleaning, etc. making them unpopular. There has been little concerted effort to encourage consumers to purchase quiet machinery, and little commercial benefit for manufacturers to design it. HSE held workshops in March 2010 with about 100 delegates representing interests including equipment and component manufacturers; hire companies; employers; employees; consultants; insurers; other government departments. Discussions between these groups showed that manufacturers and purchasers of equipment did not view noise as a priority occupational health risk. The consensus view was that industry can be and should be encouraged to equip factories with quieter machinery. HSE has developed a 'Buy Quiet' page on its website to help purchasers and manufacturers, and has taken part in a Europe-wide project to review noise information supplied with machinery. We intend to link our efforts with global partner organisations to deliver sustainable, long-term change - a world where there is no longer a market for unnecessarily noisy equipment.
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