How to retrofit noise control into an existing workshop

Strategies for protecting health, safety and productivity at your facility

For Australian industrial businesses, health and safety are not just compliance matters; they directly affect productivity and team wellbeing. One of the most important health and safety issues? Protecting industrial workers from the harmful effects of Noise Induced Hearing Loss.

At Flexshield, we work with manufacturers, fabricators and training centres to reduce harmful noise exposure across a wide range of workshop environments. Whether you are working with older infrastructure, open layouts or shared spaces, there are proven ways to reduce harmful noise while maintaining output and operator access.

Installing noise control into an existing workshop does not mean starting from scratch! Here’s how to retrofit noise control in an existing facility.

Understand where the noise is coming from

The first step in reducing workplace noise is identifying the source. Common offenders include grinding booths, cutting stations, welding bays and high-volume machinery. Many workshops were designed before modern acoustic standards were introduced, which makes noise leakage a frequent issue.

A site assessment helps determine what is being transmitted through the air, structure or both. This allows for targeted upgrades rather than overhauling the entire space.

Flexible noise control for existing facilities

Flexshield’s solutions are modular, relocatable, and proven to reduce noise across various decibel levels. It means our product range is ideal for retrofit noise control applications.

Sonic Acoustic Curtains

These high-performance curtains are ideal for sectioning off noisy areas without the need for permanent construction. They help contain and absorb airborne noise, and can be configured to suit fixed plant or moving equipment. Sonic acoustic curtains can be hired for short-term works or custom-designed for ongoing operations.

Acoustic Welding Bays

Assembled using a combination of absorptive curtain walls and sound-rated panels, these bays protect surrounding workers from arc flash and excessive noise. Flexshield’s designs are scalable to suit anything from a single booth to a full welding school.

Sonic Acoustic Enclosures

Creating a physical barrier around loud machinery or processes, these acoustic enclosures are designed to maintain airflow and access while reducing transmitted noise. This helps facilities meet EPA and WHS requirements.

Visual control with PVC screens

In some cases, it’s not just noise that needs managing. Flexshield also supplies PVC strip curtains, sheet curtains, and swing doors to limit airborne contaminants such as dust and fumes. These screens improve workplace hygiene and help define safe work zones without impacting visibility.

Retrofit noise control for a safer, quieter, more productive workspace

Retrofitting acoustic treatment improves more than just decibel readings. It boosts team concentration, reduces fatigue, and helps meet your duty-of-care obligations. Whether your workshop needs temporary containment during shutdowns or a permanent upgrade, Flexshield delivers practical answers with long-term performance.

Our team is ready to help you design a better, safer work environment. To discuss a solution built for your facility, contact Flexshield on 1300 799 969 or get in touch online.

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