Noise Task
Introduction
Generally, noise is outlined as any unwanted sound that occurs repetitively or unexpectedly. According to Department for Environment (2013, P1), exposure to high or constant level of noise can cause many health effects such as high blood pressure, sleeps disruption, and depression. Noise nuisance is an environmental health subject that businesses should seek orders that control or reduce the health effects of noise pollution. In UK, there are different legislations that help the nation to deal with noise pollution. For instance, the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA) defines noise as the legislative nuisance. This legislation claims that there are various causes of noise pollution such as vehicles, machinery, and other equipment in the street. The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and Housing Act 1996 treat excessive noise as an anti-social behaviour. The site Legislation.gov.uk, 2012 claims that, The Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 provides power to the environment agency and local authorities to eliminate any noise premises that cause public nuisance. This essay presents a strategic intervention that the bar owner should consider to reduce noise emission.
Noise-related Issues
As per the case study, interventions must be taken by the owner to reduce noise emission from bar. This is because, there are some new luxury apartments built opposite the pub. Residents from Horse and Groom Public area have complained about noise pollution. Noise pollution triggers various health issues such as hearing impairment, interference with communication, and sleep disruption. Thus, the following strategies should be considered by the bar owner to sustain and a happy society that is free from noise pollution (World Press 2013, p1).
Short Term Strategies
For the first five months, the bar owner must close doors and windows to reduce the high level of noise pollution going outside. This would ensure that the noise is only heard in the bar. There should be air conditioners for ventilation especially when the doors and windows are closed. This would promote adequate air circulation within the bar. There is a need of reducing the number of people visiting the bar to minimize the high level of noise pollution. From the case study, residents within the area have complained that some people have been shouting and this has increased noise pollution. To reduce the number of people visiting the bar, the owner may increase the cost of beer, which in turn would reduce the number of clients visiting the place. Still, he may opt to close the door when the number of clients has reached to the maximum. The bar owner should ensure that the scheduling appointments do not exceed 11 pm. This would reduce noise pollution that may cause sleep disruption at night. It is important to constantly measure the noise level by conducting a field survey. This would create awareness about the number of cases of noise pollution. Lastly, the bar owner may opt to train his clients on the effects of noise pollution and how they can control it while in the bar (Khanna 2011, p1).
Medium Term Strategies
For a period of one year, the bar owner can install suitable technology such as CCTV to ensure that his clients are complying with the quality standards for noise prevention. The CCTV cameras can help the bar owner to monitor the anti social behaviour in the community that the bar may be causing. In cases when the client fails to comply with the regulations set by the government on noise pollution, then the bar owner should report the case to the police. The bar owner may recruit security team to safeguard the well-being of those surrounding. The security team may help to identify the people causing disorderly in the community. It is also important to inform clients on the importance of complying to the standards of noise prevention. The bar owner may stick wall papers that explain and emphasize on noise prevention. Lastly, the bar owner may restrict the number of clients coming to the bar. This would minimize noise pollution (Salpekar 2008, p44).
Long Term Strategies
For a period of three years, the bar owner should introduce sound insulation in his bar to control noise pollution. This would introduce a mass barrier that prevents the transmission of noise pollution. This could require materials with high density properties such as metal, concrete, brick, and thick glass. Lastly, planting trees near the bar would minimize noise pollution. This is because plants do have a strong tendency to absorb elevated frequency of sound waves. It is also important to build walls fence in the bar to prevent the high level of noise transmission (Wang, Pereira & Hung 2005, p22).
Conclusion
Noise pollution is a public health problem that can lead to severe health effects. It can increase the occurrence of antisocial behaviour. This creates the need for the bar owner to have strategies to prevent the nuisance of noise. This essay provides adequate information on what the bar owner should consider doing.
Bibliography
Department for Environment, 2013, Food & Rural Affairs, Local Environmental Quality, Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/local-environmental-quality
Khanna, B, 2011, What are the steps we can take for prevention and control of Noise pollution ?, Retrieved from http://www.preservearticles.com/201101032327/prevention-and-control-of-noise-pollution.html
Legislation.gov.uk, 2012, Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, Retrieved from http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/38/contents
Salpekar, A, 2008, Noise Pollution, New Delhi, Jnanada Prakashan.
Wang, L. K., Pereira, N. C., & Hung, Y.-T, 2005, Advanced air and noise pollution control, Totowa, N.J., Humana Press.
World Press, 2013, Noise Nuisance, Retrieved from http://noisenuisance.org/
