Hello, advice needed re; music at work please.

Savvy_Sue

ohreally wrote: »

There are appliances suitable for hearing impaired - the sounders have a strobe piggy-backed to them (plenty workplaces fail to/ don't consider this).

Yes, but the employer would need to get them installed. I agree employers don't usually consider this, but the OP is not hearing impaired but choosing to block sounds out!

sammyroser

I think your handling the situation really well and I hope that today's meeting results in something suitable for all.

I do know exactly how you feel, I have trouble concentrating when there is music on, even music I like. In my last position my office had walls but no celling so when deliveries were happening they would have the radio on and half the time I found my work a lot slower. I eventually over the years have learnt to drown it out as background noise to the point that if a radio is on I don't hear anything of what is being said unless I concentrate on it specifically.

dickydonkin

sammyroser wrote: »

I think your handling the situation really well and I hope that today's meeting results in something suitable for all.

I agree.

As already mentioned, I don't think the intensity of the noise was the issue, but more the distraction factor.

Based on the post, I suspect the noise itself is not breaching any action values and I believe the OP's action is proportionate to the problem.

The OP should not have to wear earplugs when the source of the noise can be quite easily eradicated - you are only meant to use PPE when the associated risk from a hazard cannot be reduced to an acceptable level.

Talking to those who can resolve the situation is the right route to take.

Those who moan about H&S issues to their colleagues or even come on these boards to vent their spleen without even discussing it with those who are in a position to really help, never ceases to amaze me.

I suspect that the meeting will likely try to come to an amicable situation where the noise is reduced to an acceptable level - which should hopefully appease all parties.

ohreally

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I agree employers don't usually consider this, but the OP is not hearing impaired but choosing to block sounds out!

I was flagging the existence of the appliance up, not recommending it as a solution.

eamon

This is really a morale sapping exercise and nobody will win. Having to listen to other peoples bizarre choice and loudness of music is enough to drive me insane. But I have a particular hate of local commercial radio.

Furrtiv

Hi guys, sorry to bump this thread up again btu I'm just checking in to thank you all for the advice. I only have internet access at weekends, so there are long gaps between my posts.

Update; nothing was said about the music in the meeting, but other workers have actually noticed how badly affected I am, and for now, the noise has been reduced. TBH, most music to me is nothing more than annoying, discordant noise, so it's entirely possible that it is my hearing or mental perception of sound that is the source of the problem. However, another worker who, although not ranking above me, is senior to me in experience, has also stated that he would agree with me and back me up if the sound continued to cause problems, as he's not keen on loud music in the workplace either. And my supervisor is still aware of the problem and has moved me away from the speakers a little way. I've also invested in some better ear defenders which arrived this weekend, and am awaiting a small shipment of ear plugs to keep myself topped up (they're very good, but they're disposables, so only useful for a limited period of time per pair).

Other than that I have no issues with the workplace; hopefully, I'll get an assessment after my three months' probation is up, which should be in the next couple of weeks, so if I feel comfortable about raising the subject in private to the manager, I shall do so, but try to make not too big an issue out of it.

I'm beginning to think that it's definitely an age thing; there just seems to be so much background music everywhere now, which I don't recall from when I was teenager/younger adult, but again, could be my perception.

Once again, thanks for the advice.