Company Marley Eternit Site Beenham Title – Replacement of Impact (Torque) Guns Task To reduce the vibration effect of pneumatic impact guns which are used primarily in the removal of wheel nuts on vehicles. Problem The existing guns were noisy (in excess of 95dB) and caused high vibration to the operators. Solution The team investigated alternative equipment and identified potential occupational health and safety benefits. Result The newly sourced tools reduced both vibration and noise to 83dB, and tools were also lighter in weight. RUNNER UP Contact Details Brian Butcher, Marley Eternit, Grange Lane, Bath Road, Beenham, Reading, Berkshire Tel: 01189 715 555 Fax: 01189 715 599 brianbutcher@marleyeternit.co.uk Company Hanson Building Products Site Derby Title – Noise and Vibration Reduction Task Securing and removing fixing bolts to culvert moulds using electric impact wrenches. Problem The electric impact wrenches generate high levels of noise and vibration that would increase the likelihood of noise-induced hearing loss and hand / arm vibration syndrome. Solution Source and install air compressors and airpowered torque tools into the three manufacturing departments. Result Both the compressors and torque tools operate silently eliminating noise from this part of the process. The torque tools operate with little or no vibration, virtually eliminating the likelihood of hand / arm vibration syndrome. RUNNER UP Contact Details Clive Richardson, Hanson Building Products, Derby Works, Alfreton, Derby, Derbyshire, DE21 4BN Tel: 01332 546 300 Fax: 01332 372 208 clive.richardson@hanson.biz Company H+H Celcon Site Westbury Title – Noise and Vibration Task Filling and emptying autoclaves of product. High pressure steam is then used to cure the product. Problem Working in the danger area meant that employees would be exposed to levels of high noise and hot pipework. Solution Trial lagging of exposed steam blow-down pipework with the possibility of extending it to all exposed pipework. Result Reduction of exposed hot pipework and noise levels by 8dB, resulting in all exposed pipe work being lagged by early 2007. It is not known at present what the noise reduction will be when all the work has been completed. RUNNER UP Contact Details Iain Gordon, H+H Celcon, Quatermaster Road, West Wiltshire Trading Estate, Westbury, Wiltshire, BA13 4JT Tel: 01373 823 871 Fax: 01373 827 631 iain_gordon@celcon.co.uk HEALTH & SAFETY AWARD Sponsored by Lafarge Cement UK www.lafargecement.co.uk 12

Company Marley Eternit Site Burton on Trent Title – Clanger Noise Reduction Task The goal was to reduce noise output from the ‘clanger unit’ caused by the chains hitting aluminium pallet moulds. Problem The root cause of the problem was a build-up of material on the aluminium pallet moulds and the need for it to be removed. Because the material build-up contained cement the heavy chains acted as hammers to dislodge any excess material. The noise emitted by the chains striking the pallets was in the region of 110dB. Solution After calling in a specialist noise control company, the intention was to enclose the conveyor area where the clanger unit was installed in an acoustic enclosure containing sound absorbing material. Result By fitting the enclosure, emitted noise was reduced by 20dB. RUNNER UP Contact Details David Grew, Marley Eternit, Lichfield Road, Branston, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, DE14 3HD Tel: 01283 722 222 Fax: 01283 722 242 davidgrew@marleyeternit.co.uk Company Marley Eternit Site Delamere Title – Knife and Strim Unit Noise Reduction Task To reduce noise emissions from the pneumatic knife unit and from the electrically driven strim unit following a noise survey. Problem The tile machine area was historically a noisy location with noise levels >100dB, the project set about reducing noise levels in this area. Solution The knife unit was connected to a high level exhaust/silencer, while the strim unit was housed. Result This project demonstrated the ability for a local project team using local knowledge and expertise to provide a low cost/high benefit solution to two difficult problems. The total outlay of the two improvements was only £570. RUNNER UP Contact Details Philip Hill, Marley Eternit, Station Road, Delamere, Northwich, Cheshire, CW8 2JF Tel: 01606 884 801 Fax: 01606 884 829 philiphill@marleyeternit.co.uk Company Marley Eternit Site Glasgow Title – Noise Reduction Task Following a workplace noise assessment it was decided that noise levels at the reject tiles throwoff point were unacceptable. Problem Rejected tiles hitting the metal skip caused over 100dB of noise, while noise generated from a steel conveyor turntable, due to the impact of tile moulds, peaked at 120dB (it is normally 95dB). Solution The waste skips were lined with rubber and the turntable was fully enclosed to reduce noise. Result The impact noise from throwing off the tiles was reduced to 95dB and the noise generated by the turntable was reduced to 100dB. RUNNER UP Contact Details Robert McEwan, Marley Eternit, Kirkintilloch Road, Bishopbriggs, Glasgow, G64 2PY Tel: 01417 614 050 Fax: 01417 614 013 robertmcewan@marleyeternit.co.uk 13