Reducing Noise in the Clinical Laboratory with GX Solutions

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), government agencies have consistently identified noise-induced hearing loss as an issue for workers. Many employees are exposed to excessive sound levels in their workplaces. Noise in clinical laboratories has become a concern. 

Because of this issue, accrediting agencies such as the College of American Pathologists (CAP) have focused on making sure sound levels are safe in clinical labs. A laboratory noise evaluation is included in the CAP Accreditation Program Laboratory General Checklist. According to the checklist, the laboratory should have a policy to protect personnel from excessive noise levels.

While sound levels in most labs are below the threshold level that damages hearing, laboratory noise can be loud. The operation of equipment such as large analyzers, fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, and centrifuges all contribute to the sound level. Temperature-controlled storage equipment, such as incubators, refrigerators, and freezers can also be sources of noise. OSHA says the following about managing noise in the lab:

“The recommended upper limit for noise for speech to be intelligible is 55 dBA. If the noise level in the laboratory is too high for the staff to hear what is being said, whether in conversation or on the telephone, there is a danger of misunderstanding instructions or laboratory results. Employers should evaluate improvements in design, engineering controls, and instrumentation that will reduce the noise generated.”

For many years, conventional cooling technology has been used in medical-grade refrigerators. While these systems achieve good results in terms of controlling the temperature, they generate more noise than newer approaches.

Fortunately, technological advances now make it possible for medical-grade refrigerators to operate quietly while also achieving optimal temperature management.

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GX Solutions professional medical-grade refrigerators are available from Helmer Scientific, a leading supplier of cold storage and processing equipment. GX Solutions utilize OptiCool™ Technology and are available in upright and undercounter models.

They are designed for clinical laboratory applications and offer optimized temperature management (uniformity, recovery, and stability) along with quiet operation. 

GX Solutions help reduce noise in the clinical lab while at the same time safeguarding the integrity of valuable patient samples, regents, and controls. Click the link below to learn more. 

Reference: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/laboratory/OSHAfactsheet-laboratory-safety-noise.html