1. Will lightweight absorbers such as fiberglass panels or batting block sound?
   
   
2. Is the likelihood of accidents, increased with a noisy environment?
   
   
3. How does noise affect the work environment?

Will lightweight absorbers such as fiberglass panels or batting block sound?

No. This is probably the most commonly misunderstood function in acoustics. Acoustic absorbtion panels are used to reduce the amount of sound that is reflected from a surface. These panels do very little to decrease the amount of sound that travels through a structure. The amount of sound that travels through a barrier or wall is a function of the mass of the barrier or wall. Fiberglass or foam panels are typically very light (1 to 7 pounds per cubic foot). To block sound you need to add mass such as the addition of flexible sound barrier.

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Is the likelihood of accidents, increased with a noisy environment?

A noisy workplace can increase the risk of accidents. A noisy environment causes lack of concentration, headaches, stress, as well as reducing reflexes. This in turn can distract workers from their job and hinder them from hearing warnings, either from a vehicle or alarm system.

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How does noise affect the work environment?

Noise can be annoying, interfere with speech, disturb sleep or interfere with work. Prolonged exposure to loud noise can also result in increased heart rate, anxiety, hearing loss and other health effects. The impacts of noise depend both on the noise level and its characteristics and how it is perceived by the person affected.

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