What is a type of noise known to potentially cause issues in the workplace?

Impact or impulse noise is a type of noise that can lead to various issues in the workplace, particularly concerning health and safety. This category of noise is characterized by short bursts of sound that can be sudden and often of higher intensity. Examples include the sound of hammering, gunshots, or machinery starting up abruptly.

Such noises can cause hearing damage, increased stress levels, and can disrupt concentration and communication among workers. Because of its sudden nature, impact noise can be particularly jarring and may lead to a heightened risk of accidents, as employees may be startled or distracted at critical moments.

In contrast, continuous noise refers to ongoing sound that may not be as jarring as impact noise, but can still affect workers over time, often leading to fatigue or a decline in productivity. Background noise typically includes the ambient sounds present in the workplace, which might mask other sounds but usually is not as disruptive as impulse noise. White noise, which is a consistent sound created by combining different frequencies, can sometimes be used to mask unpleasant sounds but does not cause the same level of acute risk as impact or impulse noise.