Reducing Noise from Forges and Foundries
The Handbook of the Black Country Forging and Foundry Project

Contents

1   Noise and Vibration - basic questions and answers
2   Noise from forges and foundries
3   Reducing Noise - the principles
4   Noise Reduction in Practice
5   Pilot Projects
Annex 1 The Black Country Forging and Foundry Project
Annex 2 Explanation of various terms -- noise and vibration
Annex 3 Sources of information

About this handbook

This handbook has been prepared as part of an EU-funded project centred on forges and foundries in the Black Country area of the UK West Midlands. The Black Country is a traditional centre for metalworking industries, and in many cases forges and foundries are situated close to housing. These industries are inherently noisy, and in recent years problems of noise affecting neighbours have become more frequent. In some cases, this has meant that foundries and forges have had to restrict their operations to such an extent that their viability has been threatened. The Black Country Project was designed to find out the main causes of noise problems from these industries and to identify and demonstrate practical solutions.

There is further information about the Project in Annex 1.
 

How this handbook can help

It gives practical advice on how to avoid or resolve noise and vibration problems affecting people living near forges and foundries. Although some of the information relates specifically to these industries, the same principles apply to most other industries. It is directed towards forge and foundry owners and managers, although it may also be useful to Environmental Health Officers, to others involved in noise assessment and control, and to residents who are bothered by noise from a forge or foundry. The Project, and this handbook, concentrate on community noise - noise escaping from industrial sites and affecting neighbours - rather than noise in the workplace, although often these go hand-in-hand.

This handbook gives basic explanations about noise and vibration - causes, methods of measurement and assessment, and principles of reduction. The emphasis is on practical methods of reducing noise. A number of noise control projects in forges and foundries are illustrated with information on costs and effectiveness. Noise and noise control can be complex mathematical and engineering subjects. This handbook can provide only general guidance.

Sources of further information and support are listed in Annex 3.

Contents  |  Part 1  |  Part 2  |  Part 3  |  Part 4  |  Part 5  |  Annexes