Communicating in a noisy environment: Louis for the metal industry

The metalworking industry does not have a good reputation among the general public, and for good reason. Workers in the metalworking industry are often exposed to difficult working conditions, especially in terms of noise. The machines used in the factories often produce high levels of noise, which can be harmful to the hearing health of workers if they are not properly protected. This prolonged exposure to noise can lead to occupational diseases, hearing disorders, tinnitus, fatigue, etc.

Typically, at Aperam, a company specialized in stainless steel, electrical steel and special steels, there are many needs. Indeed, employees not only need to be protected, but also to communicate.

In the midst of the noise, to ensure the proper functioning of the system, a team of 3 to 5 people must work in constant collaboration. Some members are at the control station and must regularly transmit information to other members working on the production line. They cannot afford to take off their protection to communicate, at the risk of exposing themselves to noise. In addition, moving around takes time and involves potential risks such as falls.

Also, some teams work at height and are therefore doubly exposed to occupational accidents. They must be able to communicate in case of danger and to carry out their missions efficiently without having to go back down in case of misunderstanding.

Therefore, we have equipped them with our communicating solution: Louis. Coupled with their hearing protection, Louis provides employees with latency-free communication and a reduction in ambient noise of up to 30db. Thus, in case of danger, the warning is immediate; the information is quickly and simply relayed to the whole team and the understanding between the employees is reinforced. The employee located at a height no longer has to go down and risk slipping and falling to obtain the information he needs, for example. Also, in the event of a problem during quality control at the end of the line, the employee can immediately warn to rectify the situation at the source and avoid wasting material by producing too many elements that would not respect the standards in force, for example.

We tend to forget it, but noise is linked to all of our actions, so it should not be underestimated. As an HSE manager, it is important to take these issues into account to ensure the safety and well-being of workers in the industry. Louis is an innovative solution that combines with an anti-noise headset to protect your employees and avoid accidents.

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