The following are conference presentations and extracts from workshops covering specific topics. These include:
- Energy Institute noise control project for the energy and petrochem industries
- Environmentally sound. How to use modern noise control technology to cut carbon: BOHS conference 2025
- Noise risk reduction has failed: it's time to change... BOHS webinar 2022
- HAVS risk myth management: keynote AIOH Australia
- Accessing the noise control best practice database: BOHS conference 2020
Energy Industry noise control: Energy Institute project webinar
Modern noise control techniques can cut project costs by 80%
The Energy Institute (E.I.) has launched a noise control project for the industry in conjunction with INVC.
This 60 minute webinar (16/07/25) by our Technical Director, Peter Wilson (from 3 mins 50s) recorded by the E.I., provides a summary of the both the need for a rapid change in the approach to noise control and the innovative technologies available to facilitate the change - with multi-media examples.
It also provides details of how to get involved with the project to profit from the free resources provide by the E.I..
The webinar content includes:
- Why the urgency? £700k hearing damage claims; HSE noise inspection focus; the inadequacy of PPE above c 90dB(A)
- The diagnostic approach. The universal lack of source diagnosis wastes £millions on noise control projects. Why diagnosis is the key...
- Lack of knowledge. Knowledge of modern engineering noise control technology is depressingly abysmal - even amongst noise consultants.
- Case studies and resources.
- How to get involved.
More information on the Energy Institute noise control project >>
Environmentally Sound: how to use modern noise control technology to cut carbon
BOHS conference, 2025, Newcastle: "Greener, Quieter" from 5:49 to 36:00
Technical Director: Peter Wilson
Not only do hearing conservation programmes generate significant quantities of both waste and CO2, they are also commonly far from effective. For example, PPE can only be made generally effective at noise levels up to c 90dB(A). In addition, recent research linking NIHL to a high risk of dementia plus changes in the legal framework (resulting in a claim payment > £700k) have highlighted the key role of cost effective noise control in risk management.
- PPE: earmuffs and earplugs – continuous generation of plastic waste
- Noise control: the material types and material quantities used in conventional noise control measures (e.g. enclosures and silencers) plus the embodied CO2 in manufacture, transportation and installation
- Increased power consumption: continuous additional CO2 emissions due to the additional power required by the increased cooling requirements and the reductions in fan efficiency caused by adding silencers
It was one of the best, if not the best presentations you have given at the BOHS conferences over the years, and you have given a few. Taking noise out of its silo was what made it special. Richard Brown: OC.H. Hygea Plus
The use of modern more sustainable engineering noise control technology can dramatically reduce the environmental impact of some or all of these factors. In some cases, noise control projects can even be carbon negative by increasing system efficiency.
This presentation describes the risk/benefit analysis and engineering process involved with case studies from across the world to illustrate the noise control techniques that delegates can use to:
- minimise or eliminate plastic waste by reducing or eliminating the requirement for hearing protectors
- cut the carbon footprint of typical noise control projects by up to 90% by reducing cooling requirements and material quantities, by using recycled acoustic materials and by enabling the local manufacture of components
- cut fan power consumption by choosing aerodynamic techniques that cut fan noise by improving efficiency so silenced fans use less power than unsilenced units
Organisations worldwide are currently using aerodynamic noise control technology to reduce fan power consumption by many megawatts - every hour of every day.
It’s time to cut the carbon costs of noise control projects.
BOHS webinar. Noise risk reduction has failed: it's time to change...
This BOHS organised webinar (11/03/22) brings together 3 leaders and innovators in the key noise risk reduction elements of any effective hearing conservation programme. It is only too obvious that current risk reduction programmes have failed, evidenced by the tsunami of hearing damage claims. This webinar video provides details of the 3 integrated steps that need to be taken to cut Noise Induced Hearing loss (NIHL) by 75% - 90% at little or no cost compared with current expenditure.
Peter Wilson: technical director INVC. Noise assessment and control
David Greenberg: CEO and founder of EAVE. Intelligent PPE
Rob Shepheard: Anglian Hearing Healthcare. Health surveillance and OAE
Time to change - NIHL risk reduction workshop
A new approach to noise risk management
We are planning a workshop based on the approaches outlined in the webinar. You can express an interest in attending or getting further information via this link.
HAV risk myth management
Our Technical Director, Peter Wilson was invited to be a keynote speaker on HAVS at the AIOH conference in Australia.
Firstly dispelling the myths associated with HAVS risk management and secondly providing details of what constitutes best practice.
Common misunderstandings and good practices
- You don't necessarily have to measure vibration at all, let alone regularly or continuously. Virtual assessments save time, money and resources that are better spent on risk reduction.
- PPE for HAVS does not exist - despite the adverts...
- A buy/hire smooth policy is a very effective front-line risk management tool - manufacturers are continually improved their products.
- Invest in changing behaviour as personal behaviour has a substantial influence on individual risk.
HAVS training options, from toolbox to vibration competency workshops
Accessing the noise control best practice database: BOHS 2020
Most organisations can reduce the risk of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) in many areas by 50% - 90% at very little (or no) cost (or even at a profit) by making use of the best available engineering noise control measures - e.g. cutting noise from 97dB(A) down to 94dB(A) halves the risk and PPE works better. The question is: “How do you find the optimum noise control options?”
The INVC has developed a comprehensive database of engineering noise control best practice case studies that is freely accessible from anywhere by anyone. These techniques reduce typical project costs by 50% - 90% and can even be self-financing.
Safety professionals without engineering expertise who encounter noise problems or have quotes for conventional high-cost noise control measures (enclosures etc) can search the database directly online for options.
Alternatively, they can email smartphone data (video clip and photos) acquired on site for a free cost/benefit analysis of the options based on the best of current technology.
The presentation uses multimedia case studies to illustrate how most sites can use this approach to reduce hearing damage risk dramatically at little (or no) cost. It also provides details and examples of the smartphone and other simple information required to get the most from this free noise control resource.
