In a bid to reduce noise pollution during steel production, primary sources of noise, such as heavy equipment, mills, and blast furnaces, should be identified and managed. Such that adequate arrangements must be established to minimize noise at its source through the use of materials that damp vibrations, mitigate sound, and create acoustic enclosures. Efforts must be observed to align and lubricate machines as opposed to oiling their friction points to reduce noise. Administrative efforts are still needed to reduce sound exposure by shifting loud operations to times with fewer employees, limiting staff exposure through interchanging roles, and setting aside quiet areas. Employees should be trained about noise risk, and worker productivity should be improved through the use of protective mechanisms (OHSA, 2020).

The present-day technology and automation are now reducing steel industry risks. The new machines, which have quieter engines and advanced control systems, are way less noisy. It reduces worker interaction with the machinery and, in turn, decreases their noise exposure (NIOSH, 2018). Therefore, workers' safety and machine efficiency will improve and the level of noise will go down, thus improving noise pollution. The earlier policy recommendation emphasizes reducing noise in the steel industry. Modern machines are less noisy, and automation reduces people's exposure to the loud machines.

References

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). (2018). Occupational Noise Exposure. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (2020). Occupational Noise Exposure Standard. https://www.osha.gov/noise